Work Friends
Meeting Zondra at the rendezvous point, Neal stood beside her and conversed quietly while they waited for the others to join them. It gave them some time to begin setting the scene.
Standing towards each other, Zonda had her phone in her hand and kept up the appearance of sending and receiving messages. Some of it was real updates about their target, but other parts of it were front parts being played by Sarah and Carina as needed just in case the FBI agents managed to catch a peek.
Facing her, Neal twirled her hair around his fingers in between wrapping it around his middle finger. It was to show a romantic interest to be close to her, to touch her without interrupting her communications. His posture was lightly leaning against the wall of the building they were standing next to so he provided a screen from public eyes while also showing patience with her distraction.
Both were dressed nice as Neal wore one of his suits sporting the rat pack while she wore a sleek black dress. They mixed classy with modern and were catching eyes from the rest of the social seekers moving around them.
When Jones and Diana came up separately and alone, Neal pretended not to notice them for a minute while he asked Zondra if she was going to be free the next night as he had plans.
Looking up, Zondra purred that she was free as far as she knew.
Clearing their throats, Jones and Diana smiled at the startled reactions the other two displayed at realizing they had an audience.
Straightening his posture and stepping away from the wall, Neal shifted his attention to their company while Zondra slid her phone into her purse. "Zondra, Clinton Jones, and Diana Berrigan. Jones and Diana, Zondra." He gestured between them.
The three exchanged greetings and then paused in the awkward transition moment where they were all trying to decide what to say next and making their initial observations.
"What happened to your dates?" Neal decided to determine why they were both showing up alone. It might determine the rest of the night
"Work called; some kind of medical emergency." Diana gave the general explanation which led to a brief discussion of the medical position and what it was like being in a relationship with a doctor.
Then Jones was asked what his excuse was. "A migraine. Clubs with lights and loud music are not an option tonight." His comment got the usual suggestions of what was best for migraines or severe headaches mixed with well wishes for the unfortunate.
Asking if they wanted to reschedule, Neal wondered if maybe they could put the evening off.
However, Diana said they could hang out without dates. "Besides, I have a substitute here if I want to dance." And she slid her arm through Jones' indicating who she had as a backup.
"That is unless he finds someone else? You aren't in a steady relationship, are you Clinton?" Zondra asked to tease the agent.
"No, and obviously my datebook could use some blank pages getting filled in." He played along easily.
Giving him a point for not rising to her bait, Zondra began to see some of why she liked this team Neal was always talking about. They weren't the usual sort she encountered. Maybe his taste in agents extended into other fields and agencies?
Understanding the comment for what it was, Neal wasn't worried. Jones and Diana could give and take in that field. He just didn't want things to go so far as to reveal the real nature of his relationship with Zondra or to show any hints of their real means of employment. "Shall we?" with a tilt of his head and a simple act of extending his arm to Zondra, he indicated for the group to go into the club and get the evening started.
Following suit, Jones accompanied Diana into the place and the group found a table satisfactory to all parties. Being agents, they all liked the accessibility to move through the place. Close enough to participate, and yet on the edge to observe.
Ordering drinks and appetizers, they were doing a round about much as Neal and Zondra had been doing. Go to one location, get a bit to eat and drink, then move onto another location while dancing or watching as the mood suited.
As they nibbled on the hors-d'oeuvres, Jones and Diana struck up a conversation about the location they were at and the selection of other options in the neighborhood. Which ones had the better décor, were more frequented by an interesting society, and which ones had the worse reputation for trouble breaking out. It was a topic as tame as the weather, and yet more pointed as it showed knowledge of local culture and an awareness of recent events.
Sharing glances at one point, Jones and Diana seemed to notice a discrepancy.
"I thought you said you were new to the community? You seem pretty well caught up on local events." Diana wondered offhandedly.
Smirking, Zondra wasn't impressed with her approach but did notice Diana's instinct. "Being new to the neighborhood would leave me at a loss to fill in so much on my own. However, I have passed through before on a few occasions where friends have taken me out. Then there is also Neal here, who has frequented these locations in times past and is now a current resident in the neighborhood. Although he might not have come as much before we got together, he did once in a while."
Nodding at the sense behind the story, Diana knew Neal would have been through social locations for his cons in the past, his tracking did show him going around once in a while to break up the boredom of remaining in two miles, and they knew nothing of her past to deny her previous visits.
Transitioning away from the topic with a few last comments, the group got more interested in what they were going to do next with the food gone and the drinks running dry.
Zondra had only used her phone on occasional not wanting to give the appearance of avoidance, but she had been texting from time to time to build the foundation in case something came up. Making the suggestion to dance, it gave her the opportunity to adjust their game plan with Neal. Meanwhile, Jones and Diana could evaluate their opinions at the table where they could observe more easily, or on the dance floor blending with the rest of the patrons.
Leading his date out onto the floor, Neal started dancing with her while smiling proudly. "You think Diana took a weak approach. She's making you underestimate her."
"I'll have to be on my guard then. So far I'm not sure how far your taste in agents extends to the FBI, but I can see hints that at least they aren't the norm." Zondra acknowledged their general superiority to her notions of FBI but wasn't willing to give them the full credit of equaling their peers in the CIA.
"Given the chance, you'd see." Neal was certain in his belief in the team. They were the best at what they did and deserved to be viewed as such.
Dropping the topic, Zondra noticed that Jones and Diana had decided to join them on the dance floor rather than remain at the table. There would be time for observation if a slow song came up, but while the music was fast and playful, they might as well enjoy the evening too.
When the song turned slow, Jones and Diana returned to the table so Neal and Zondra only indulged in one additional dance. Once the song was over, they paid their bill with Zondra sliding her card, and then proceeded to walk out in search of their next destination.
Strolling down the street, Diana easily laughed and relaxed with Jones who seemed to enjoy this out of office side to his working partner which gave the impression to watching eyes that they were two couples.
Reaching another location, they joined the line to be carded in and chatted the wait away. This location was more exclusive and didn't allow just anyone to enter. Reaching the front of the line, the security guard showed particular interest in Zondra and flirted with her as he checked her driver license to make sure she was legal.
Seeing Neal's displeasure and Zondra's general lack of response, Diana handed her license to the guard and turned his attention towards her with a seemingly flirtatious remark. Jones aided by quickly following up with his to prevent the guard from finding time to return to his attention for Zondra.
Once they had passed inspection and were allowed to enter, Zondra turned to tell Neal he had loyal friends. They had both stepped in to help in what could have become an awkward situation.
Moving further into the club, Neal wasn't surprised to see Sara out with her guests as she was still helping to keep them entertained by taking them out during the week.
"Sterling and Bosch must be paying Sara very well for her to afford to be out like this all the time," Diana commented. She had heard about how frequently Neal and she crossed paths on their nights out.
"The clients show an interest in Sara and have specifically asked for her company as a 'kindred spirit,' so the company is footing the bill for her to entertain them. She's courting some deep-pocketed clients and there isn't much of a limit on her expenses for this one." Neal explained as he flagged a waitress down to their table.
Jones and Diana noticed a glimmer of jealousy flit across Zondra's face as Neal defended their mutual acquaintance.
It was a show for their benefit, but it was true to the character she portrayed. Although Zondra wanted Sara to see Neal's value and for Neal to allow Sara to get close, she was still Neal's girlfriend with a romantic claim. Hearing him talk about another woman who had shown interest, even reluctant, wasn't something she should show pleasure in.
Exchanging glances again, Jones and Diana seemed to wonder why there was a reason for jealousy between Zondra and Sara. Intrigued, they silently decided to add the observation of the insurance agent to their evening tasks.
Fortunately, the waitress arrived in a timely fashion to distract the table from their thoughts by taking orders. Collecting their requests, she worked her way around the table associating their faces with their choices before disappearing leaving them to converse.
Making general conversation, they discussed the crowd, music, and moved into dating conversation.
Describing a special date, Neal talked about a time where he had taken a girl for a walk along a sandy beach talking about whatever crossed their minds. Then he invited her back for cold pizza only to wow her when he swung the door open to a nice candle light dinner. Continuing to discuss a simple night at home where he had prepared her favorite food, played soft music, and finished with dancing under the stars on the building rooftop he wowed the table with his tale of romance. He hadn't spent money and had only focused on fulfilling dreams of what she imagined to be a special evening. Making it a surprise had only added to the allure.
Knowing Sara had been standing in the hearing range, Zondra had intentionally made sure he shared something personal with the group while she could learn it too.
Observing the longing expression on her face as she watched from behind, Jones and Diana realized Sara wanted someone to treat her the way Neal had treated someone special in the past. They also started to wonder if maybe she had an interest in the con which would add to the reason for Zondra's reaction.
Moving the conversation on without acknowledging their observations, Diana picked up the tale with talk of clay and wheels to discuss a special meeting in her past.
As the evening drew later and the conversation grew more comfortable, Zondra pulled her phone out more often and seemed more distracted. Work was calling, and she needed to be elsewhere. Slipping away to make a phone call, she returned with the excuse of work for her leaving.
Covering the bill and kissing Neal good night, Zondra slipped out of the club to meet Carina. Passing through, the other CAT decided to drop in and join the fun.
Moving to the actual location where the target was partying, Zondra used Carina's presence for a girl's night out.
Back at the club, Neal decided not to continue their previous plan of partying and suggested leaving the scene for a quieter dinner where they could talk easier.
Agreeing, Jones and Diana joined him to walk out to a local favorite. The rest of the evening took on a more normal feel as they ate and conversed as they did at work lunches before each heading home early.
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