“Really, Doctor, it’s the best we can do.” Jerome pressed an earpiece into his ear and listened for a moment. June hadn’t noticed one on him earlier. “Game time, Doctor. Shall we?”
She nodded. It was game time all right. But June had an entirely different game in mind.
***
A few minutes later, a man June recognized as Leopold Blake arrived. Just like in the photographs, he was dressed in a suit, slightly scruffy, top button of his shirt undone. His hair was a little over-long and unkempt, but the look suited him. Not short, not tall, he didn’t look particularly young or old, but was clearly younger than Jerome. His eyes settled on June, looking her up and down.
“I hope you’re hungry, Doctor,” he said. “Your table is ready.” He led June to a private room inside the restaurant, to the table in the back corner. Light music played from hidden speakers and the décor was dark and warm. The setting was perfect. A small table only big enough for two, a candle in a lamp, complete place settings, and a crisp white tablecloth. An open bottle of wine already breathing on the table. She took a seat and Leopold stepped away to leave her alone.
There were only three other tables in the room, arranged almost like a wall between the table for two and the only entrance. Examining the arrangement, June could see how it was their attempt at a barrier to intrusion.
Just as June became fully engaged in a fantasy about the bottle of wine, there was a bit of a commotion outside the room. A moment later, the door opened.
Jack Melendez, with his tall swimmer’s build and dark suit, walked in. He went to June’s table, a little hurried. She stood as soon as she saw him. Leopold and Jerome lingered by the door. When he got to her, he reached his arms out as if to hug and not shake, something new for them. In his light embrace, she caught a glimpse of Leopold in the background, a hint of a smile on his face. Evidently, June wasn’t breaking any rules. She gave Jack a tighter squeeze and a quick peck on the cheek.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, sitting again.
Jack smiled. “Me too. Sorry I’ve been so busy lately. I was sure I’d be able to get some time this spring. I think you’d like the ranch out in Desert Springs. Peaceful and quiet.” He poured two glasses of wine.
“I really should do a six-month neuro exam,” June said. “Has the Navy done a CT scan lately?”
“Um, no. Like I said, busy.”
They clinked wine glasses and each took a sip, June barely wetting her lips.
“That really does need to be done,” she said. “I have to be sure everything is healing properly, and no abnormalities are developing. The third ventricle is important, and too much fluid could collect, causing some pretty severe problems. A leak isn’t much better. If there is something, it is much easier to deal with now than waiting.”
“Are we here for my annual physical, or for dinner?” he said with a grin.
“Both, if I can manage it.” She set aside the health lecture and smiled back. It wasn’t difficult at all to find her dimple. “Where did you just come from?”
“Conferences in Spokane, Portland, and San Francisco. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m giving the same keynote speech here tomorrow as I did today in Spokane.”
“I suppose it would be easy enough to do. Just adjust the language for the place.”
They chatted about her upcoming talk. She showed him the notes from her purse, and talked about the PowerPoint slides she had prepared. He gave her a few pointers on how to conduct a formal talk. If anybody was prepared to do that, a politician would be. Something came to her mind, something Jerome had said earlier in the lobby.
“So, Jack. Do you ever get the chance for a home cooked meal?” June said. “Or is it one hotel restaurant after another?”
“And you’re wondering because…”
“This is all quite difficult, you know? I have to be searched and herded around in cars with tinted windows before we meet. We never get to be alone.”
He nodded his head. “I know this is difficult. Thank you for putting up with me.”
Their meals arrived and were arranged in front of them. Chef’s salad for June, steak and fries for Jack. Rare, with peppercorn sauce. June picked up her fork and set it down again. There was nothing wrong with her salad, but she still had something on her mind.
“Now we’re moving into new territory, this whole man-woman relationship thing.” She nodded her head at the other three tables, Leopold and Jerome seated near them. “That’s hard enough to contend with, even without them watching.”
“And you want to know how often I do this with someone else?”