“How do you do? I’m Howard Barr.” He motioned to the open door. “Come in.”

“I hope I’m not too late.” Caitlyn stepped into a wide foyer and glanced around. Potted plants, nice artwork on the walls, a gleaming marble floor…and no Shanna. No one there at all.

She swallowed hard as the huge security guard shut the door and locked it. “Shanna’s here, isn’t she?”

“Sure. The party’s in the cafeteria. I’ll take you there in just a minute.” Howard gave her an apologetic look as he stepped behind a table. “I have to check your bags first. Standard procedure, nothing personal.”

“I understand.” Caitlyn placed her bags on the table. “Is there still a problem with people bombing Romatech?”

Howard shook his head as he rummaged through the silk handbag she’d bought in Singapore. “It’s been calm lately.”

“It seems like an odd place for a child’s birthday party.”

He shrugged. “Shanna set up a nursery next to her office, so the little ones spend a lot of time here.”

“Oh.” Shanna had an office in a scientific research facility? “I thought my sister was a dentist.”

“She is. She has a dental office here.” Howard slid her red silk handbag to her with a puzzled look. “You didn’t know that?”

“No. I’ve been out of the country and…out of touch. I didn’t know she had children or that she was even married until I received the invitation to this party. Her husband is Roman Draganesti?”

“Yes.” Howard frowned as he plunged his large beefy hands into the gift bag. “I can’t believe you didn’t know.”

Caitlyn winced. The blue and red crepe paper she’d carefully arranged was being crushed. “For some reason, my dad never told me.”

Howard’s fists tightened, smushing the crepe paper even more. “That…sorry. I guess I might as well tell you. Your dad’s not very popular around here.”

“He doesn’t seem very fond of you guys either.”