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“Okay.”
“You don’t seem okay.”
“If it were up to me you’d have nothing to do with the guy.”
“But it’s not up to you.”
“I’m acutely aware of that.”
“You really think he’s a bad guy?”
“Let’s put it like this, I don’t want you to feel the brunt of my being correct on that issue.”
She smiled. “Well, I take solace in the fact that you’ll be here to protect me.”
His thrusts at the vegetables became so fierce that she asked, “Is there something wrong?”
He dropped the knife and wiped his hands on a dishtowel. “I’ve had a change in plans. I have… I have to leave tomorrow. To go back home.”
The color drained from her face. “Leave? Why?”
“Something’s come up with my son.”
“Oh, God, I’m sorry. Is it serious?”
“He’s not sick or anything. It’s more emotional than physical, but I’m his dad and it’s important enough to cut short the wonderful time I’m having here.”
“I can see why I like you. You have your priorities right.”
Shaw looked away, ashamed at her unwittingly misplaced praise. “So I won’t be here to protect you.”
“I was just joking about that. It’s not your job to protect me.”
When he glanced at her again she’d turned her attention back to the stove. Shaw sensed something else in her features. Was it relief? Was she actually happy he was leaving?
They chatted about inconsequential things over dinner, and didn’t linger over their coffee or dessert.
“I hope everything works out with your son,” she said as he helped her clear the table.
“I hope everything works out okay for you too.”
“Stop looking so worried. I’ll be fine.”
Shaw couldn’t know that she was thinking, And now so will you.
Afterwards, at the front door, Reggie said, “Well, I guess this is it.”
“Take care of yourself.” He paused and added, “Our time together meant more to me than I think you can imagine.”
“Oh, I don’t know, I actually have a pretty good imagination.”
He thought she was going to leave it at that, but then her arms slipped around him, and he hugged her back. Shaw thought he felt her grip him perhaps a beat too long and a bit too tightly. Yet perhaps she was thinking the same thing about him, he realized.
She kissed him uncomfortably close to the lips and Shaw felt himself maneuvering to reach her mouth on the next attempt. They heard a cough and both glanced over to see one of Waller’s men watching them.
Reggie said in a voice loud enough for the man to hear, “Again, I’m sorry you have to leave tomorrow, Bill. Have a good flight back to America.”
Then she closed the door. Shaw stared at the lion’s head brass knocker for a long moment. Why the hell had she said that? He looked around and saw the muscleman’s triumphant smile. The news of Shaw’s imminent departure would no doubt be quickly reported to his boss.
