Van sat up straighter. That did sound pretty good, really. The Erlette House event wasn’t till early spring, but by March the CCIAB would be delivering its recommendations. And he, Van, would be leaving the little board for some heavy-duty, long-term, permanent federal post. Or else contemplating sudden unemployment. Either way he should have Dottie with him. To celebrate with him, or commiserate, or . . . No, just to be together. He owed her that.