Chapter 2

An hour later Mike was still in the booth nursing the same drink. He was so lost in his thoughts and commiserating his lot in life that he didn't notice a woman approaching him. He didn't look up at her until she was standing next to his booth.

"Hi," she said. "May I join you?"

What the hell? Mike thought. Why not? "Sure," he said as he raised himself a bit and motioned for her to take a seat across from him. Mike sat down again, wondering what would happen next. Was she a hooker? His guess was no. She looked too well-groomed. A high-class call girl? Possibly, but he felt that was somehow unlikely.

"I can practically see the wheels of your mind spinning-"

"Well," Mike said.

"I'm neither of those things. My name is Tara Pendegast of the Pendegasts of Long Island. Perhaps you've heard of us?"

Mike chuckled and took another sip of his drink. Who hadn't heard of them? Old money from way back. The younger generation was no slouches either. Many were professionals: doctors, lawyers, bankers, and he even thought there was a writer in the bunch but he/she was the dark sheep.

"Can I order you a drink?" he asked her.

"No," she answered.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Ms. Pendegast?"

"I've been watching you."

Mike tried to remember how long he had been in the bar. Had he picked his nose? Scratched his ass?

"Taking down the lawyer from the Pan World case was very impressive and we Pendegasts don't impress very easily."

"How did you hear about that? It only just happened."

"My father would like to talk with you."

"About what, Ms. Pendegast?"

"You should ask him."

Mike made a show of looking around the bar.

"My father doesn't hang out in bars, Mr. Cutter," she said. "He'd like for you to come to our estate in the Hamptons to talk with him."

Mike knew the type of person her father was: he expected anyone he wanted to meet with to come to him when beckoned. But why would he want to meet with an honest civil servant?

She guessed his thoughts. Again. "The only way you're really going to know is to come meet with him."

"Are you a mindreader, Ms. Pendegast?" he asked, expecting her to smile or blush. She did neither.

"No," she said simply. "I have my car outside."

"Now!" Mike looked at his watch: 10:03 p.m. "He expects me to come there now?"

"Why not now?"

Mike was incredulous. Because I have a job that I have to be at bright and early tomorrow morning, Mike started to say. But he didn't say it. He sat for a long moment staring at Tara Pendegast, intrigued. Why be predictable? He smiled as he slid from the booth. "Let's go."