Page 70 of The Burnt
“You go in first,” Declan said. “Make sure you’re seated in his section and try to get a feel for what he’s about. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
Charlie went in and soon found himself seated at a table.
“Hello,” the server said. “My name is Mark and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Will you be dining by yourself?”
“Uh…no,” Charlie stuttered.Stop looking at his crotch!“A friend will be joining us, I mean me.” Charlie didn’t know whatelse to do, so he moved his glance upward which didn’t help. Mark had the most beautiful emerald-green eyes.
“Very good. May I bring you a drink while you wait?” The server leaned in and added softly in Charlie’s ear, “Don’t fall for any of the upper-end vintages. They’re not worth the price and most people can’t tell the difference from the house wines.” He punctuated the sentence with a wink.
“Well then, I’ll start with a glass of the house red and we’ll see what my partner—friend,” he quickly corrected, “will have when he gets here.”
Mark brought him the glass of wine and a tray of appetisers. “Smoked salmon bites and olives. On the house.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said, thinking that he would come here more often if it wasn’t such a long drive away.
Mark smiled, then bowed discreetly and left Charlie in peace.
As the restaurant began to fill up, Mark brought Charlie over a glass of water, slipping it above the cutlery to his right. Charlie was sure that as he was departing, the server flexed his buttocks. After almost an entire glass of wine, he didn’t mind for an instant. It was clear that the server knew how to get good tips.
The door to the restaurant opened and Declan walked in.
Charlie stood and raised his hand slightly so that Declan could see where he was. Declan passed the host his coat, which was immediately hung in a closet.Why did I bring mine to the table? I look like such an idiot.
As the detective made his way across the room, all eyes were on him and his glorious physique. He got to the table and made no attempt to hide the kiss he laid on Charlie’s lips.
The server was there in an instant to pull out Declan’s chair and seat him.
Declan looked up at him, “Thank you…?”
“Mark,” both the server and Charlie answered in unison.
“I’ll have what Charlie’s having,” Declan said, pointing to his glass.
“Certainly.”
“And I’ll have another,” Charlie said.
Once the server had left them, Declan asked, “So, how’s it going? Any feelings as to what this guy is all about? It is the guy we followed from Mrs Keough’s place isn’t it?”
“Oh, it’s him, all right and he’s spent every moment he’s been around flirting up a storm. It’s interesting. He matches the description the kid from Banff gave of the guy who paid him to deliver the note to Simon. But it doesn’t look like the aged-up photo of Milo.”
“Maybe it’s someone who’s working with him,” Declan offered.
Charlie shrugged. “Where do we go from here?”
“No need to rush,” Declan replied. “He’s not going anywhere. Let’s enjoy dinner.”
When Mark returned, Declan asked for a recommendation and ordered a Swiss fondue with coffee and dessert.
The server was attentive, and when the meal was finished, Mark returned and asked, “I hope everything was to your liking?”
“It couldn’t have been better. Thank you, Mark.”
“Then will there be anything else, gentlemen? An after-dinner drink, perhaps?”
“No, I’m afraid we have to hit the road,” Declan replied.
“I hope you don’t have to drive too far. The weather looks like it’ll be a bit treacherous tonight.”
