Page 49 of Thief

She sashayed up to the dark wooden bar, perched on a stool and ordered a large glass of white wine from the bearded bartender.

It wasn’t until she’d paid and taken a sip she allowed herself to look for her hit. She knew Nick Turnbull was here because his car was outside, so she could afford to relax—a fraction.

The place was half full. Couples sat eating at small tables, and a group of girls cackled away in the corner over wine. Kat took a celebratory slug of her drink, and as she did so, she spotted a single lone gentleman to her left. He was relaxing in an armchair by a glowing log fire.

It was him.

Nick.

He was easy to recognise from his photo. He was even wearing the same outfit Carlos had snapped him in; dark suit trousers and a white open shirt. Like John, he was a good-looking guy, and Kat wondered why he was on his own. Why he’d become a target.

To the side of him sat an empty dinner plate with knife and fork crossed, a set of car keys and a half drunk pint of lager. He looked at home, as if sitting in this pub having dinner was very much part of his daily routine.

Nick was engrossed in his Financial Times which ruled out catching his eye and smiling to tempt him over. He required a different tactic. Something more proactive.

Kat slid off the bar stool, reached for her wine and walked towards his table. He didn’t pull his attention from his newspaper until she stood right in front of him, almost touching him.

“Excuse me,” she said in a low voice and letting a shy smile curl her lips.

Nick pulled dazzling blue eyes from his newspaper and let his gaze float slowly up Kat’s body. A flash of appreciation crossed his face, and he smiled and raised his eyebrows.

“Would you mind if I sat in this chair…if it’s free, that is?” Kat indicated to the empty armchair opposite him.

“Be my guest.”

“Thanks.” Kat sat and crossed her legs so her dress hitched, showing lace topped stockings. “I’m meeting a friend,” she began. “But I forgot my wrap. It’s been so sunny today, and I thought I would be warm enough without it.” She twisted and held her palms to the fire; the movement lifted her dress another inch. “But it’s gotten so cold now, and I’m freezing sitting at the bar.” She treated him to killer smile. “Are you sure you don’t mind me sitting here until my friend arrives?”

“I don’t mind a bit,” he said, returning her a smile. “Where’s your friend coming from? The traffic is bad tonight.”

“Oh, I know.” Kat rolled her eyes and avoided the question about her imaginary friend. “I hate Friday night traffic. It’s nearly as bad as Monday morning traffic—don’t you just hate that?”

She settled back on the plush armchair as he headed off on a conversation about the road systems in and around London, the widening of the M1 and the evils of the congestion charge.

All Kat had to do was sit back, relax and listen. Smiling and nodding in the right places and fiddling with her necklace so he had to keep dragging his attention back up from her chest if he wanted to maintain some semblance of decency.

She finished her drink and sat for a while with an empty glass, wondering if he would ever notice and offer to refill it for her.

Finally, she made a show of lifting the empty glass to her lips and draining the very last drip.

“Can I buy you another drink?” he offered.

She reached across the space between them and gently pushed his shirtsleeve up his wrist. “My friend is so late.” She sighed, peering at his watch. “I should message her and make sure she’s alright.” She tickled her finger against his skin as she pulled her hand away.

“You do that, and I’ll get us both anther drink.”

“Well, only if you’re sure. Please say if I’m keeping you from something.”

Nick shook his head as he got to his feet. “You’re not keeping me from anything at all. White wine again?”

Kat nodded as she reached for her mobile.

Nick returned with wine for her and a cola for himself. “Driving” he explained as he set them down on the table. “Is your friend still coming?”

“No.” Kat reached for her drink with a frown, took a small sip and let the tip of her tongue retrieve the moisture from her lips. “She’s had a family crisis poor thing. Not sure what. She’ll tell me all about it over the weekend, I expect.”

“I’m sorry about that.” Nick looked unsure of what to say next.

“But, Nick, if shehadturned up, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you, would I?” Kat smiled flirtatiously as she crossed her legs.

---