Chapter 2: Acting on Impulse
Maggie walked into the large lobby of the five star hotel. She glanced around and saw the restaurant and walked towards it. The hostess glanced up at her and smiled.
"I'm supposed to be meeting someone. Jim Sterling," Maggie said.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Sterling is already here." The young woman said.
She led the way to the table and Maggie glanced around the elegant dining room. The walls were painted with a golden colored paint accented with the elegant silk curtains. The table cloths matched the elegant green curtains with white cloth napkins. She glanced forward and saw Sterling already indulging on the amber liquid of his favorite drink, Scotch.
"Hello, Jim." Maggie stood there and looked at him.
"Hello, Maggie." He stood up and pulled out her chair for her.
She undid her coat and he slipped it off her shoulders and laid it over the chair next to her. She gave a smile and took a seat as he stood there.
"Thank you, Jim." She looked at him being a gentleman.
That was one quality that he offered that she liked about him. He ignored his pompous attitude to pull out a chair or hold a door for a woman. She glanced down at the menu and flipped it open.
"Would you care for a drink?" the waiter approached their table.
"The house wine." Maggie smiled.
"No, Scotch?" Sterling remarked.
Maggie gave a slight smirk and glanced down at the menu to see what she would want. Her gaze glanced over at him as he let his eyes glance around the room. She folded her menu and cleared her throat.
"Who are you looking for, Jim?" Maggie asked.
Sterling glanced over at her and smirked.
"A habit I can't seem to break," Sterling remarked. "Scanning the room for potential crooks."
"Paranoid?" Maggie remarked.
"No, just paying attention, Maggie." Sterling leaned forward.
Maggie sighed and lifted the menu back up. Her gaze shifted left to right as she read the menu, but her gaze floated over the edge of the menu to look at him. His 'paying attention' had never been this intense and she had known him long enough to know that.
"There's someone you are looking for that deals with your case," Maggie remarked.
Sterling looked over at her and chuckled as he reached for his Scotch. She watched how casually he sipped the beverage like it was just an ordinary drink. He had mastered how to even make drinking a distinguishing trait of his.
The waiter placed her glass of wine on the table before asking if they were ready to order. Maggie stared at the menu and asked for a couple of minutes.
"What does this job entail?" Maggie finally asked.
"I don't discuss cases in a public place," Sterling said.
"Then what do you discuss?" Maggie looked at him.
He wasn't a very open man and what they have discussed in the past remained just where it belonged. She glanced out towards the window that they sat next to. She watched as the evening traffic became less and less as time slipped by.
"We'll talk about business in private. I don't believe my job should be revealed here in public," Sterling remarked
Maggie glanced at Sterling and shook her head. He wanted to keep his identity a secret in case he did have to go undercover. She glanced around the hotel and back at Sterling.
"You aren't alone on this job are you?" she asked.
"I never go in alone." Sterling rubbed his chin. "I have my loyal team to help with anything that may come our way."
Sterling leaned back as he grabbed the Scotch. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip before returning her gaze back to the menu.
"Are you ready?" the waiter came back.
Maggie glanced up at Sterling as he gave a nod. She turned to the young waiter and nodded.
"Yes, I'll take the Parmesan Chicken." Maggie folded her menu and handed it to the waiter.
"I'll have the same," Sterling ordered.
Maggie looked at him as he handed his menu to the waiter. She raised the glass of wine to her lips. Her gaze drifted around the dining room as other guests started to come in for a much later dinner. She saw young couples and admired their happiness. She could remember a time that she was once happily married, but all that changed.
"I believe it has been awhile since the last time we've done this," Sterling said breaking her concentration on the guests.
Maggie turned back to him as he leaned forward. "What is that?"
"Dinner as colleagues, friends," Sterling said staring at her.
She lifted her glass to her lips. It had been awhile, if she needed a friend outside her duties as a wife and mother he had been there. And when her divorce happened there was no one better to call than Sterling. He encouraged her to just spread her wings after the divorce was final.
"After Nate and I got divorced, we had dinner," Maggie remarked.
Sterling nodded and Maggie leaned forward as she got comfortable again with him. He wasn't always a self serving bastard back in those days. She admired him for the confidence that he always had trailed behind him.
As dinner continued, Maggie felt herself become more relaxed with him. She ignored the fact that maybe the wine helped a little. But she also found he was loosening up after a couple of glasses of Scotch. Their conversation was small, but it was pleasant. And perhaps if someone looked over at their table they wouldn't see colleagues, but old friends killing time.
As dessert followed Sterling had loosened his tie a little. He had become less formal and Maggie liked the man he was. He was putting his guard down, but perhaps that was the alcohol that took control.
The waiter came with another glass of wine and Scotch for them and Sterling asked for the bill. He leaned back and looked at Maggie.
"If you don't have to rush home right away, I'll show you the file." Sterling looked at her.
Maggie reached for her phone and checked the time.
"Maybe just a quick look, it's nearly nine thirty. I have to be at the office tomorrow early so I can look over some plans from the museum." Maggie looked at him.
"I can give you a run through and tomorrow we'll go over the rest at your office," Sterling said.
Maggie gave a nod and Sterling gave smile before placing the tip on the table. They both got up and Maggie grabbed her coat. She looked at Sterling as he glanced around the room before turning to her.
"The files are upstairs in my room," Sterling said.
Maggie nodded and followed him out the restaurant. He reached in his coat pocket and pulled out his phone. He quickly answered a text before slipping it back into his pocket. He glanced at her and she smiled a little.
Sterling held the elevator door for her and a young couple that eagerly jumped on. Maggie smiled as he slipped past them and stood beside her. She watched as the young couple held hands and just enjoyed the company of one another. They glanced over at them and smiled.
"We just got married," the young woman said.
"Congratulations," Maggie replied with delight.
"How long have you two been together?" the young woman remarked.
Maggie glanced at Sterling as he looked over curiously. Maggie smiled a little and just as she was about to say something, Sterling gently wrapped his arm around her waist. She glanced at him slightly surprised.
"We've been together for two years, but we've known each other for much longer. Isn't that right, darling?" Sterling leaned forward and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"All good relationships start off as friends," Maggie replied.
"That's wonderful!" the young woman said.
Maggie glanced at Sterling as he smirked a little.
"Don't be so modest, Maggie," Sterling whispered in her ear.
She felt a warmth kiss her cheek and looked at him. It was strange to seeing Sterling act so impulsive.
The ding of the elevator made her sigh with relief as the young couple got off. She looked at Sterling as he looked forward. He acted as though nothing happened and it was all part of his job.
"I am responsible for your safety," Sterling remarked. "And I will keep you safe while you work with Interpol."
Maggie let her coat hang over her arms. She slightly bit her lip as they rode in silence. He did not explain further being that he did not discuss business in public.
They walked down to his room and Sterling slipped the key into the lock. He stepped to the side and let her in first. He followed behind her and Maggie glanced at him.
"Are you going to explain what just happened in the elevator?" she asked.
"Shortly," Sterling answered.
She watched as he folded his suit coat over his arm and walked further into the room. She followed and glanced around the suite that he was staying in. She stared at the nicely furnished living area and the kitchenette to her left.
"A suite," she said.
"Comfort on a case is a necessity." Sterling smiled. "A drink?"
"Maybe just one," Maggie said. "I'm surprised they put you up in such a nice place."
"I upgraded." Sterling pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge. "I tend to use what miles I have to upgrade."
Maggie smiled and walked around the suite. She took a seat at the table and Sterling handed her a plastic hotel cup.
"Afraid no wine glass with the hotel logo on it."
"This will do just fine, Jim." Maggie smiled as she took the glass.
He walked off for a moment and returned carrying a file. He sat down beside her and placed the red file down. Her gaze glanced at the folded with the Interpol logo on it. Sterling flipped it open and Maggie stared at a list of people.
"So, explain to me what just happened in the elevator first," Maggie said.
"The young man was a member of a Russian syndicate."
"How do you know?" Maggie asked.
Sterling flipped through the file and pulled out a list of names with pictures. Maggie glanced at the list and pictures seeing the young man. Maggie glanced over at him and leaned back in the chair. She took a sip of wine and Sterling began to read her into what the case entailed.
"I will keep you on close surveillance," Sterling said. "You will not be alone in the theater when you are doing business with Erick Ivanovo."
Maggie nodded and looked at him as he reached across to turn back a page. She could smell the lingering smell of his sharp cologne mixed with the smell of Scotch. It was a familiar smell to her and she found it intoxicating. But she was desperately trying to avoid the temptations that were unfolding before her.
"Erick has a gala in a week to celebrate the reopening of the old theater; he wants to showcase the art that will be on display."
She looked at Sterling to see a slight surprise in his eyes when she mentioned Ivanovo by his first name.
"Very informal with a client, are we now?" Sterling remarked.
"He is very laid back." Maggie looked at him.
"Just be careful just how laid back he is," Sterling warned her. "Don't get sucked into his pleasantries."
Maggie nodded and took a sip of the wine. He turned back to the file and explained further and Maggie listened intently to what Sterling had to say about it.
After awhile they moved their discussion onto the couch.
"What if you come with me tomorrow," Maggie suggested. "As my assistant?"
"Don't you have one of those?"
"Nina is secretary. Which by the way when you came to my office earlier today she seemed nervous about something." Maggie looked at Sterling.
He paused for a moment and rubbed his chin.
"I did notice that."
"Do you think she knows who you are?"
"I didn't give anything away. I asked about you that was it and I told her I'd wait in your office."
Maggie looked at him and shrugged.
"Just don't mention anything," Sterling said.
"Just meet me tomorrow at the theater and stay away from the office. I'm sure she just is deathly afraid of you."
Sterling smirked at her sarcasm. She glanced over at the second glass of wine she had polished off. She couldn't possibly drive back, but it was getting late and she had plenty to focus on tomorrow morning.
"I should be heading home." Maggie looked at him.
"Of course." Sterling stood up.
He put his hand out to help her up. She reached for it and Sterling helped her stand. Despite what was best to wait a little longer and sober up enough, Maggie wanted to leave and get home.
"Are you going to be alright, Maggie?" Sterling asked.
She nodded and grabbed her coat from off the chair. He took her coat and helped her with it. She turned and buttoned it up. She looked at him as he stood there.
"You look tired, Jim. You should get some rest," Maggie remarked as she reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.
"Don't worry, I've gone days without sleep and been fine." Sterling gave a smile.
She sighed and walked towards the door. He reached for the door knob and opened the door a little. She looked at him as he turned back to her.
"Have a good night, Maggie," Sterling said.
"I will, see you tomorrow." Maggie walked out the door.
He shut the door behind her and she sighed. Maggie started down the hall and stopped realizing she had forgotten her purse. She walked back and just as she was about to knock the door opened.
"Forgot something?" Sterling remarked.
Maggie smiled. "Apparently I have. It has been one of those days."
Sterling chuckled. "Let's just don't make it one of those weeks."
Maggie smiled as Sterling handed her the black clutch purse. She reached for it and looked at him. They stood there for a moment and Maggie sighed. She tucked the purse under her arm and acted on impulse.
Maggie reached up and kissed Sterling directly on the lips. He stepped back and they stumbled back into his room. He pulled away and looked her. She placed her hand on her lips shocked she even did that.
"I'm sorry, Jim," she whispered.
She started to go out the door, but before she could fully walk out, Sterling grabbed her by the arm. He pulled her away from it and pulled her towards him. She stumbled into his arms and he kissed her.