Time and Again(63)

“No, what happened? I just got back from Lyon last night.”

Mike lowered his voice, “He was killed by a hit and run and Henry thinks its murder. He has convinced me, so I took the time off to help.” Mike leaned in slightly, “I am sort of working now, so…”

Francis was sharp and whispered, “Play it cool, got it. Normal dinner conversation,” and then raising his voice, “The veal is fantastic, but so is the pasta. This place has been here for over 30 years, as has most of the staff, except the young man who helped us. He is new and very eager.”

The waiter returned with a glass, poured Mike some wine, and said, “The calamari is on its way. Are you ready to order?”

“I need a few minutes…and a menu.” Mike said with a smile.

The waiter blushed, “Of course, I am so sorry.” He scurried away and returned almost immediately, then ran off again, likely to hide his shame.

Mike and Francis had a good meal. They talked easily, telling stories and laughing, just like old friends. They were friends, but had mostly just tolerated each other until this year. During the calamari and throughout the entire main course, Patrick never looked over once. He dined alone, which meant that one of the other patrons was the mysterious person in the dark trench coat.

Mike excused himself and went to the men’s room. On his way he noticed the black trench coat was still hanging there and when he returned he saw her. Katarina was eating alone at a corner table. As far as he could tell, there were only two people dining alone. Mike may have only been in the detective business for a few days, but he could do the math. He also knew that nobody else on the list was here, so she was somehow mixed up in this mess.

Mike returned to the table and ate slowly, enjoying the food and the company. The waiter returned and asked about dessert. Francis insisted they both try the cheesecake. Mike trusted the food critic’s choice. He was glad he had, as it was the best he had ever eaten.

Mike was so enjoying his cheesecake that he didn’t notice Katarina approaching. “Mike what are you doing here?”

If she was involved, and was half as clever as Henry said, she would be suspicious. “This is my friend Francis, he and I were just catching up. He is the food critique for the paper. He asked if I wanted to join him for dinner and I have learned never to turn down those invitations. Are you here with Henry?” He stood up and looked around. It worked, now she needed to make an excuse.

“No, he was working late, so I had to eat alone.” She donned a pouty face.

Francis leaned forward, “Delighted to meet you…”

“Oh sorry, this is Katarina; she is a friend of Henry’s from way back.”

Francis smiled and shook her hand.

“It is nice to meet you, too. So how does this place rate?”

Francis didn’t know if he should tell the truth about not actually being out reviewing, so he just leaned back, and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “If you were to guess, based upon my face, what would you say?” He smiled broadly.

“I would say it gets an A. I know I enjoyed myself. Feel free to quote me on that.” She spoke easily and with incredible charm. Mike noticed Patrick leaving and when he walked past the window, so did Katarina.

“Would you like to join us for a cup of coffee?” Mike said, suspecting she would decline.

“Thank you, Mike, but I have to be going.”

When Katarina walked past the window she gave them a wave. They both waved back. She wore the black trench coat.





Chapter Fifty-Three



The Professor, Bobby, and Henry were eating and listening to Celine tell a story from one summer in the Poconos. Henry had bought take out for everyone. It was a bit of unwinding he sorely needed. Mike walked in just as Celine was saying, “…and though I never found my swimsuit, it was worth it, even though the nickname stuck.”

“Henry, could I talk to you outside?”

The ominous tone in his voice made everyone stop eating and look at Mike and then Henry. “Sure Mike, let’s take a walk.”

As they closed the office door, there was a collective shrug and they heard Celine ask the professor, “So Prof, you ever have a nickname?”

Henry and Mike walked down the hall and stopped at the other end. “What is it Mike?”

“I tried to get a look in the restaurant, but had an unexpected turn.”

“Oh?”

“Francis was there, in the window, about to have dinner. He sort of insisted I join him. I don’t think Patrick noticed me. He ate alone and I never saw anyone approach his table, aside from the waiter.”

“Interesting…but why so secretive?"

“The person in the trench coat, well I didn’t see them sit down. I didn’t know who it could be, all the other tables were couples or groups, well except one. It was Katarina.”