Page 35 of Disciplining Dana

The stone floor glittered with flecks that refracted the overhead lighting as if a million tiny stars were lining the path ahead of him. He stood for a moment looking around. There were only a few people to be seen, and several of them looked like workers preparing for the evening. There was a lounge space and bar straight ahead of him, and Kurt headed that direction.

The dark wood counter stretched across the center of the room, and Kurt took a seat on one of the leather-upholstered stools, glancing left and right. The only couple was seated at the bar, and they were absorbed in deep discussion. Kurt waited patiently, and soon a young woman came to take his order.

“Do you have an IPA?”

“We have Bent Nail. It’s a local brew. Would you like to try it?”

“Sounds good, thank you.”

She stepped away as Kurt looked around the room once more. The place was big; apart from the bar, a lounge contained a multitude of loveseats, and beyond that a series of steps that led down into another room. In what little he could see, there appeared the faintest outlines of what looked to be other furniture, but he couldn’t distinguish much more from this vantage point.

“Here you go, sir.” The bartender was back and placed a glass in front of him.

“Thanks,” he replied politely, taking a sip of the amber ale she’d suggested. “Very nice,” he complimented her with a smile.

“My pleasure,” she returned, clearly pleased.

“Is that the dungeon over there?” He nodded toward the space he’d been looking into a moment ago.

“Yes, sir. If you’d like to take a look around, please feel free. Just know we close from 7 until 9 each morning and evening to clean and restock.”

“Thank you. I assume it’s pretty busy at nights?”

“Depends. During the school year, it can be a little quiet. Like right now because the semester just started, it’s less busy than normal on weeknights. Summertime, though…” The young woman smiled wistfully. “There are plenty of times I wish I wasn’t working.”

Kurt chuckled.

“Do you have a sub you’re bringing, or are you looking for one?”

He took another sip. “The former, though she’s so wrapped up in her work right now I’m not sure I’ll have the opportunity.”

“Well, you gotta make the opportunity. Believe me, I know all about how it is getting caught up in school and work, and if she’s anything like me, without a firm hand providing guidance, she’ll always find an excuse to put work before pleasure.” She gave him a shrewd smile. “It’s an easy trap to fall into, and a lot harder to get out of without someone to help you.”

“Wise words and good advice,” he replied. Another couple approached the bar, and she stepped away to take care of them. Kurt took another drink, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell. Bringing up her number, he hit Call. When it connected, it went immediately to voicemail.

“Hey, it’s me,” he said quietly. “Give me a call back when you have a sec. Thanks.”

That it went to voicemail wasn’t unexpected. She was undoubtedly poring over her files, because when Dana dug into her work, she focused on it to the exclusion of almost everything else. There were a few times Kurt had come up on her in the office in the exact same hunched-over position he’d found her in hours earlier. Or woken in her bed at 3 a.m. to wander back to find her bathed in the bluish light of her computer monitor, absorbed in whatever had her attention at the time. She’d told him on several occasions one of the main satisfactions she got in going to a dungeon was being in the moment, surrounded by others, forced by situation and circumstance to let go of any thoughts of work. She needed the distraction, because otherwise, her brain wouldn’t shut off. She admitted to being driven to the point of obsession sometimes. Kurt recognized that in her and did what he could to make those times as indulgent as possible.

While he finished his beer, he lost himself in memories of things they’d done together, both days like today and nights like the other. When the bartender approached to ask if he wanted another, he waved his hand over his glass.

“Another time,” he said with a smile.

“Enjoy your stay,” she replied with her own as he stood. “And make sure to bring your friend to the Dungeon,” she called out, stopping him as he started to turn away. “Even if you have to drag her.”

“Probably exactly what I’ll have to do,” he said with a chuckle before turning to go.

He considered calling Dana again but decided against it. She was likely head-down in all her data, trying to draw a connection between the cut they’d seen on the drive and everything she’d put together two years ago. If he wanted to see her—and he really did right now, even if only to talk shop—he’d have to go to her rather than expecting her to respond to him.

Once he’d gone back up the steps into the main lobby, he crossed into the guest wing and followed the hallway until he was in front of Dana’s door.

He knocked. “Dana?”

Nothing. No sound of movement, no door cracking open, just… silence.

She wasn’t napping because Dana was a light sleeper. He stood waiting for several seconds, then tried again.

“Dana?”

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