Epilogue

Previously: The team hears Tally’s story; Jeannie begins to find some resolution.

Need to catch up on The Spring or start from the beginning? Use the chapter index here:

The Hagen-Rossi Wedding and Cotillion Club’s 73^rd Debutante Ball

One of the most-coveted holiday invitations resurrected itself last Saturday night after a two-year hiatus. The family of Honorable Peter Hagen hosted their Christmas party for the first time since losing their matriarch, Mary Frances Hagen, to cancer in late 2012. The formerly annual event was always a gathering place of family, friends, and politicos past and present, with this year’s revival being no exception. Familiar faces often seen in and around City Hall and beyond stopped by for cups of holiday cheer at the opulent Fairmont Hotel Penthouse — a change of venue from the usual family home, but with good reason: this Christmas party was also a wedding.

“Jeannie suggested we just go to City Hall last month, but I was able to persuade her to do something a little more special,” beaming bridegroom Christopher Rossi admitted. He and his new wife, Jean Hagen Rossi, have been partnered since 2009, but the engagement and wedding came together rapidly in the last few weeks. “I just realized we were wasting time, and my mother would have hated that,” the new Mrs. Rossi said, admitting she was the one who proposed officially. “I’ve been asking her for years though —” her husband interjected, “but Jeannie runs on her own schedule.”

The bride wore a spectacular Valentino gown of navy blue tulle embroidered with deep red hearts, golden stars, suns and birds — a piece fresh from the Fall ready-to-wear collection1. “My mother-in-law took over the dress shopping on very short notice, and fortunately the team at our local Valentino store was able to make it happen. I was unsure about wearing something other than white, and it’s definitely more romantic than I am, but I absolutely love it.” (When the new Mrs. Rossi is tired of her dress, I’m sure the de Young Museum will be very happy to accept the donation — the back pleating alone is museum-worthy!) And the groom? The handsome Mr. Rossi wore a classic Armani tuxedo with a velvet blazer.

The couple’s vows took place in front of the living room fireplace, bedecked with winter greens, red roses, eryngium, and gold candles to match the bride’s dress. In fact, the entire penthouse seemed to coordinate effortlessly with the bridal gown: the star-bedecked ceiling in the library and the Moorish billiard room were the perfect background. The opulent florals were overseen by the groom, whose family owns the time-honored Rossi Brothers florist, as well as a vast amount of commercial real estate in the city. “Chris would never admit it because his feet are firmly planted in the finance world, but he used to love his job at the flower mart when he worked for the family business in high school and college,” the bride shared conspiratorially. “He’s going to be an old Italian gardener someday, growing tons of roses in the backyard. I can’t wait to see it.”

The ceremony was conducted by Congressional Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, with a final few words from the bride’s father, Honorable Hagen. The Minority Leader also read a letter of best wishes from President and Mrs. Obama, which was a surprise to the couple. (Jean Hagen Rossi worked for the Obama campaign and transition team, departing in mid-2009 to attend Hastings Law.) Retired Judge Hagen suffered a stroke last spring and relies on communicating via iPad, but worked with a speech therapist for weeks to ensure he could recite the final blessing.

The new Mrs. Rossi has been making other headlines lately due to her professional involvement as an SFPD officer in the Alexa Thomas investigation. Police leadership in attendance included Officer Hagen’s direct leadership, including her Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain, as well as a short appearance by the Chief, who has been a family friend for years. Federal colleagues Agent Mark Greenberg and US Park Police Officer William Mayfield were also in attendance with their partners.

Toasts were raised with Schramsberg 2011 by the couple’s siblings which had everyone laughing and crying in turn. Guests drank, ate, and mingled well into the evening, while clear December skies set off a sparkling skyline from Spanish terrace.

The Cotillion Club hosted its 73^rd annual Debutante Ball on Monday evening at the Palace Hotel, featuring a class of 22 young ladies from some of San Francisco’s oldest families. The parade of Debutantes was lead by an angelic Talbot Crocker Briggs, whose grandmother made her debut at the first Cotillion Club in 1941.

As the debs completed their bows, the traditional marches and quadrilles made their way around the dance floor with the help of the tail-clad escorts and dance tunes from the Earl Heckscher Orchestra.

“I’m so glad they taught us how to do all of this,” Mr. Dashiell Reilly — Miss Briggs’ escort — admitted with a smile. “The rehearsals were essential and I didn’t want to embarrass Tally.” Mr. Reilly attends Xavier Prep where he is better known for his prowess on the basketball court. Mr. Reilly is hoping to attend UCLA next fall while Miss Briggs is already committed to Princeton.

Both Mr Reilly and Miss Briggs have been instrumental in cooperating with federal authorities in the investigation into the death of Alexa Thomas. “We were both friends with Alexa and we were there at the party on Halloween, so yes, we both want to help in any way that we can.” Miss Briggs insisted. Mr Reilly’s classmate from Xavier Prep, James Edward “Tripp” Hartman, III, is currently under indictment for 2^nd degree murder in the case, but all of this was far away from the pomp and glamour of the Palace Hotel’s historic ballroom.

As the white satin gowns twirled through the night, proud parents and friends looked on in delight. “Talbot has been so excited for tonight and we’re thrilled it has been such a perfect evening,” said Linda de Haro Crocker Briggs — a mainstay member of the Cotillion Club. Mrs. Briggs wore a vintage Yves Saint Laurent gown which her mother wore to her own debut in 1979. Mr. Leonard Sanderson Briggs led his daughter around the floor flawlessly during the father-daughter waltz, as his daughter smiled throughout.

7:32PM — Thursday, January 15, 2015

SFMOMA Fog Fair, Ft Mason Center, San Francisco

Jeannie took a fresh flute of champagne from a passing waiter as she moved through the crush of people filling the Festival Pavillion at Fort Mason. Only in its second year, SFMOMA’s Fog Fair Gala had turned into a chic, art-filled party for collectors and lookie-lous alike. It also provided an excuse to wear her Valentino wedding dress again, which alone was worth the ticket price. While in 2011 Danielle Steel famously quipped to the Wall Street Journal that the city had “no style, nobody dresses up — you can’t be chic there,” the FogFair Gala would prove the opposite. A crowd full of Dries Van Noten, Lanvin, Celine, Prada, and plenty of other designers showed the city’s style was robust and luxurious. It also proved that it was a city full of art lovers.

Booth after booth of expansive white galleries showcased the best in modern and contemporary art pieces, creating some stiff competition among the buyers in attendance. Truth be told, given the crush of people it was hard to even see some of the art properly, but you could still scout your favorites. Glancing left into the Gagosian gallery’s space, Jeannie noticed a familiar figure standing in profile to a small-ish painting on a narrow wall. Pausing, she approach behind him in order to take in a view of the painting: shades of cream and white with hairlines of black shapes and a smattering of what looked like script.

“Charlie?” Jeannie ventured quietly, approaching his right shoulder. Charlie Dagonet turned to look at her, his face registering shock when he recognized her.

“O-Officer Hagen. You — you look different.” He huffed out abashedly. “Beautiful.”

“Thank you. What are you doing here?” Both of them were flustered at the encounter but didn’t know why.

“Um - my, my parents brought me to the dinner — they’re, they’re donors, you know.” Jeannie nodded slightly with a smile. “They’re here somewhere, probably scouting their next purchase.”

“And you’re here studying this one.” Jeannie looked at the painting. “What is it?”

“It’s a Cy Twombly from the early 1970s — it’s part of his Orpheus paintings. He was inspired by Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus and kind of wanted to do the same thing in visual art.”

Jeannie couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. “Orpheus.” She repeated quietly.

“I know.” Charlie grumbled. “It’s not why I like it though — it’s, it’s just clean. Peaceful.”

Jeannie made a quiet sigh of agreement. “It is peaceful. Simple.” She paused. “Maybe you could convince your parents to buy it.”

Charlie chuckled slightly. “I’m afraid my taste in art is a bit different than theirs, but maybe someday I’ll indulge myself.” He turned to look at her again, his blue eyes having a spark she hadn’t seen before. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh — my um — well, my husband — it’s barely been a month so I’m just getting used to saying that,” she admitted shyly, “my husband collaborated on some sculptures on the other side of the room. Actually, it’s Officer Mayfield’s partner Imogen — she’s a sculptor and her gallery gave her their entire booth, so Chris collaborated with her to make some floral installations. It’s hard to explain. She makes these really cool driftwood-y kind of vessels, and Chris has always been in and out of the floral business. It — it just kind of happened.” Jeannie shrugged.

“Congratulations — I read about your wedding in the Chronicle. Well, my Mom did and made sure I read it too.”

“Thank you — it’s —”

“Here you are! I’ve been circling.” Chris appeared suddenly at her side, slipping his arm around her waist. He dazzled in a dark navy suit and a crisp white shirt with no tie. Jeannie still could hardly believe she was married to the man. “Hi — Chris Rossi —”

“Chris, this is Charlie Dagonet.” Chris’ face registered recognition at the name, but didn’t falter. Now that she was finally able to tell him the details of the case he knew who all the players were. “I was just telling Charlie about how you and Imogen were collaborating over there.”

“Well, that’s generous. Imogen’s the artist — I’ve just made a few things to help them stand out in this room.” A barely perceptible blush of pride crept into Chris’ cheeks. Truth be told he made large, explosive arrangements of color to set off Imogen’s organic forms. Both the sculptures and the flowers were their own art, but blended together perfectly.

“Charlie plans to study business at Stanford next year —” Chris inclined his head.

“Actually —” Charlie began, “there’s been a change of plan. I’m heading to USC. I got admitted into the new Iovine-Young Academy.”

“Wow — Charlie, that’s — that’s incredible.”

“That’s huge, man, congratulations.” Chris extended his hand again to give him a shake.

“Yeah, so I’ll learn business and music and the business of music and I’ll still be able to play water polo.”

Jeannie smiled at him. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”

“Charles — “ Margot Dagonet’s voice sounded nearby. “Oh - Officer Hagen, my goodness you look lovely. And of course your wedding dress — I read about it. It’s spectacular.” The woman looked her over.

“Thank you. This is my spectacular husband, Chris Rossi.”

A man at least ten yours older than Mrs Dagonet appeared at her shoulder, “This is my husband, Ash Dagonet — we’ve just been looking at an Anish Kapoor, but I’m not sure I love it. We’ll see.” Handshakes went around the group as Jeannie realized Charlie had the angular looks of his mother but the eyes of his father.

“Charlie just told us about his news — Iovine-Young should be transformative.”

“Well, it’s not what we were expecting, but we’re willing to be surprised.” Mr. Dagonet said quietly, looking at his son with obvious pride.

“Do you have plans for the summer?” Chris asked Charlie. “We may have an entertainment deal in our pipeline if you’d like to intern with us. I should know by the spring.” Chris dug out a business card and gave it to Charlie whose eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“Of course. No guarantees, but you’d see some M&A in action if you’re interested.”

Charlie looked slightly abashed as he nodded. “Thank you.”

The group chatted for another few minutes, where everyone considered the merits of the Cy Twombly on the wall next to them. Eventually Jeannie and Chris broke away to head back to the gallery where Imogen and Paco were doing their best to chat up potential buyers.

“I’m proud of you for doing this, Chris —” Jeannie loved feeling his hand in the small of her back as they walked. “When Imogen thought of it, I thought for sure you’d decline and I’m really glad you didn’t. You’re so —”

“Creative. Yeah, you keep telling me.” He bent down to kiss her cheek.

1

Valentino, Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear by By Pier Paolo Piccioli & Maria Grazia Chiuri; Image courtesy of Vogue Runway.