She shrugged.
“Most of my meals are eaten in a car or plane, or with guys like them. Otherwise, if I can get some privacy to eat alone, I do that in a hotel room. I know it’s probably breaking one of your brain surgery rules for me, but I rarely get a day off. Much less socialize.” He too set down his fork. “And my upcoming schedule will only get busier over the next few months.”
“So…”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had dinner with a woman.”
June flashed her dimple again, satisfied with his answer. She had no way of knowing if it was the truth, but it was good enough for that weekend. It still left her in new territory. Just exactly how does someone flirt with a presidential candidate while security agents waited nearby? The answer came quickly. She slipped her foot out of her shoe and stroked his ankle with her toes. He looked at her, a mischievous smile spreading across his lips.
The evening was just getting started.
Chapter 21
FROM THE OPPOSITE side of the hotel restaurant, Jonny Yamada saw what he needed. Just to be careful, he checked images he had stored in his phone, current images from news stories, and older pictures from years before from when the woman was a known fashion model. He was certain it was her, but still, he wanted to make sure. Jonny knew the drill. Countless hours studying old movies and novels. Sit with your back to the wall and face the exits. Use reflective surfaces to your advantage. Don’t look anyone in the eye. Stay under the radar, disappear into the background.
With a casual air, he held his smart phone up to his face and pretended to have a conversation on it. He aimed the camera lens of the phone in the direction of the couple dining in the far corner of the private room, saved a couple images, and took a look after enlarging them.
It’s got to be her. He held the phone in his lap, staring at the screen. He looked at the man she was with, hoping to confirm her identity through her choice of dining partner. To him, all Hispanic men looked alike. Strong features, dark skin, hair, and eyes, masculine. And that looks like Jack Melendez. But he couldn’t be sure about him either.
He sent the new images to Mariel. As a Filipina, she could tell better than him about the appearances of Hispanics. Uploaded to a secure FTP site, they would be untraceable. No way to link him to them.
Is that mom and dad? he asked in a subsequent text message.
Looks like them, Mariel sent back.
OK, it’s time.
He stabbed one last piece of ravioli with his fork and tossed down some cash on the table, more than enough to pay for the meal and a tip. He left his table in a hurry, his waiter watching him leave. He got out to his car, grabbed the large hotel laundry bag stuffed with pillows and went back into the hotel. Quickly, he made his way to the basement using the key card Mariel had given him, watching for the VIP elevator to come down. He made a call.
“I’m here,” was all he said. He endured a two-minute wait until the elevator doors slid open. Mariel emerged in a rush.
“This is stupid,” she told him, taking the linen bag. “I should’ve just brought these things with me when I came to work.”
“What’s stupid is that little outfit they make you wear.”
“It’s a job, and better than the one you have,” she said. “I’ll change the pillows over tomorrow, like you said.” She asked to confirm their plan. She dropped the bag at her feet.
“Careful,” Jonny said. He grabbed the laundry bag off the floor and gave it a quick inspection. “Knock these things around. You’ll set them off.”
“Okay, okay, I get it.”
“Just get them swapped over before tomorrow night. I’ll handle the rest.”
Mariel frowned. “What time are you detonating them?”
“That’s not something for you to worry about. Better you don’t know.”
Mariel knew better than to argue. “Fine. You really piss me off sometimes, you know.” She hefted the laundry bag and rushed back to the elevator. As the elevator doors slid closed, she gave him the finger.
Chapter 22
AFTER DINNER, JUNE was escorted to her room first, leaving Jack at the table. Leopold accompanied her to the elevator. That was a clue to something she had been wondering about. If he was with her, that left Jerome back with Jack, the more important of the two of them. And that meant Jerome was the better bodyguard of the pair. Did that mean Leopold was the brains? She hoped so.
Leopold hit the button for the seventh floor at the VIP elevator.
“You have to go up there with me?” June looked at the key card and wondered when she would get one herself. “I can find my way to my room. Just give me a pass.”