Reaching for The Moon by ThePekingNoodle
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Chapter Ninety-One: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
In which dinner with the Colonel includes an unexpected guest…
The SUV pulled up outside of an up-scale building and a uniformed valet came around to the driver's side, while another one opened the passenger door. By the time Logan came around the car, Max was standing on the sidewalk under the awning that extended out from the building, waiting for him. He looked her over in approval, as he held out his arm for her to take. She was wearing a forest green fitted sheath that reached well above her knees, exposing long shapely legs with matching heels. Over the dress she wore a fitted bolero jacket, trimmed in black braid. Her hair was swept up on top of her head exposing her slender neck, which displayed no trace of a barcode.
When she had first walked out of the bathroom earlier, Logan had looked at her in concern. "Max? Are you sure you should be wearing your hair like that?"
Max had simply smiled and twirled to show him her barcode free neck. "Special makeup. Practically takes a blowtorch to get it off. I thought it might be a good thing to make sure the Colonel saw my neck tonight."
"Logan? Are we going in?" Max brought his thoughts back to the present.
"Sorry." Together they strolled forward and into Antonio's. The interior of the restaurant was dimly lit and elegantly furnished. Stiff, spotless, white linen tablecloths covered the tables, which were set with expensive china and heavy silver. Sparkling crystal glasses reflected the candles that flickered in the middle of each table.
"Logan Cale." Logan said to the maitre'd.
"Ah yes, Mr. Cale. Your party is waiting for you. If you will follow me." The man turned and led them to a
secluded alcove that might have almost been a private room, set back from the rest of the dining area as it was. A man and woman were already seated there with their backs to them. As they came around the table, the maitre'd held out a chair for Max and the man rose to greet them.
"Mr. Cale." Colonel Lydecker said. "Mrs. Cale. Charmed to see you again. Let me introduce my companion to you." He gestured to the blonde woman seated next to him and Max suppressed a gasp.
"Ashley Bartlett, Logan and Maxine Cale."
"We're acquainted. How are you Ashley?" Logan said smoothly. Max glared daggers at the blonde. The waiter pushed in Max's chair as Logan brought the hand Ashley extended to his lips in the European manner before taking his own seat.
"Wonderful, Logan. It's so good to see you." Ashley answered in a low seductive voice, eating him up with her eyes.
The Colonel took his own seat and Logan thought he detected a look of satisfaction in his eyes as he watched Max's reaction to Ashley. "Seattle society does tend to be inbred doesn't it?" Lydecker observed idly.
"No more so than society anywhere I would think." Logan parried. Max and Ashley both remained silent.
Lydecker signaled to a waiter. "What will you have to drink?" he asked Max and Logan
"I'm partial to champagne," she said sweetly, shooting a look at Logan and then at Ashley.
"Max, are you sure? Champagne sometimes tends not to agree with you." Logan warned, with an inward sigh.
"I'm positive, sweetheart." Max purred making a point to reach over and caress Logan's hand as it lay on the table. "How did you meet Ashley, Colonel?" she asked turning to Lydecker.
"We were introduced at the Cale's house party." Ashley interjected, her voice oozing sweetness. She leaned forward, allowing both Logan and Lydecker a full view of her extremely low cut and well-filled bodice. "You and Logie were rather busy as I recall; falling into the pool wasn't it?"
Max glared at her but before she could reply the waiter was there, filling her glass with champagne.
Logan laughed to cover the silence, "Good thing it was warm that day."
The glasses were all filled, and Colonel Lydecker raised his, "I'd like to propose a toast. To the lovely ladies, and to a profitable partnership, Mr. Cale."
Ashley simpered as Logan raised his glass in her direction and then in Max's. "I certainly will have to second that. Please call me Logan, no sense in such formalities at this point."
Lydecker nodded.
The waiter presented them with thick heavy menus and for a while they were engrossed in them.
"Logie, what do you think I would like here?" Ashley leaned towards Logan.
"I'd suggest the Pollo de Napoli. It's the chef's specialty." Logan suggested.
"That sounds wonderful. You always did know exactly what would satisfy me." Ashley said suggestively.
The Colonel smiled slyly, observing the by-play and Max's silent reaction. "Do you like chicken, Mrs. Cale?" he asked her.
"No, it's a bit bland for me, kind of like the color pink. I prefer something stronger. And do call me Max. Mrs. Cale is much too formal for a friend." Max answered him, fully aware of Ashley's pale pink dress. She picked up her glass of champagne and finished it off. Logan kicked her under the table and she smiled sweetly at him. "Darling, it's a bit warm in here. Will you help me with my jacket?" She turned her back to him and Logan helped her slip out of the bolero. When she swiveled back to face the table, Ashley's eyes widened and she had a disgruntled look on her face. Max's sheath was strapless and the bodice was boned, effectively displaying an impressive cleavage. Logan felt a jolt of heat as he took in the display. Lydecker simply sat there observing, an enigmatic smile on his face.
Salads and a basket of bruschetta were brought soon after, followed by their dinners, and their conversation was superficial as they enjoyed their food. Lydecker seemed to make a point of engaging Max in conversation, which left Ashley free to concentrate her attention on Logan. Ashley made the most of her opportunity, leaning in close to him and taking every available chance to lightly touch his hand or arm as she spoke with him. Max silently fumed even while she politely responded to the Colonel's questions about her supposed home in Europe.
After what seemed an interminable time to Logan, the desert plates were cleared and the waiter brought after dinner cordials. During the dinner several bottles of champagne had been consumed. Max was
laughing freely with the Colonel, even as she shot Logan looks promising later retaliation for his attention to Ashley.
The effect of multiple glasses of champagne made itself felt on Max and she excused herself to visit the ladies room while the others sipped their drinks. Once she was out of sight of the table, the Colonel looked at his watch.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to make a call." He rose and left Logan and Ashley alone at the table.
"Logie, this has been such a wonderful evening." Ashley slid her chair next to Logan's and ran a long nail around his neck. "I've missed you." She crossed her legs causing her dress to ride up high above her knees.
"Ashley, I'm married..." Logan began.
"Pooh, to that child? I don't know why you married her, but you don't have to pretend for my sake. I don't care about that anyway. I care about you and about what we had. We can still have that. She doesn't need to know." Ashley leaned in and blew softly on his neck.
Logan pulled back. "Ashley, you're an amazing woman and I'm flattered but I'm married. And I take that seriously."
Ashley pouted but refused to give up. She leaned forward once more catching Logan off guard. Her arms went around his neck and she pulled him in for a kiss. Neither or them was aware that Max had returned from the ladies room and was standing just a few feet away observing them.
Max turned her back on Logan and Ashley and headed blindly toward the entrance of the restaurant. She didn't see Logan pull angrily away from Ashley. Lydecker was walking back to the table and he stopped to observe. A smile crossed his face as he lifted his cell phone to his mouth.
"Subject is on her way." He snapped the cell closed and proceeded to the table.
Logan was already standing when he arrived at the table. "Colonel. I'm afraid Max and I have to leave you. There's been a family emergency. Thank you for dinner, I'm sure we'll be speaking soon."
"Thank you, Logan. Is Max waiting for you outside? I saw her walking that way a few moments ago."
"She went on ahead. Good night Colonel, good night Ashley." Logan left as quickly as politeness allowed.
Ashley smiled up at Lydecker. "Did I do good, Uncle Donald?"
Lydecker slid into the chair next to her and patted her hand. "You were perfect."
"She's such a little nothing." Ashley said petulantly. " Do you think he'll get rid of her now? So I can have him back?"
"I'm sure he will. Finish your drink and I'll take you home." Lydecker said absently.
Logan emerged from the restaurant and looked around for Max. The sidewalk was empty except for the valet. He was not the same one who had been on shift when they had arrived.
"Did you see my wife?" Logan asked. "Dark haired, wearing a green dress."
The valet smiled. "Couldn't miss her."
"Where did she go?" Logan asked impatiently.
"She got into a black SUV. With a couple of men."
"What?" Logan demanded. "Did they force her?"
The valet looked at him in shock. "Oh no. She did seem to be a bit dizzy though. When I went over to see if I could help, one of them said she had too much to drink and they were taking her home."
Logan pulled his parking ticket from his pocket and shoved it at the valet with a wad of cash. "Get my car. Now." As the valet hurried away, he returned to the restaurant. One glance showed him that their table was empty. The Colonel and Ashley were nowhere to be seen. He snapped open his cell phone and punched in the number of Max's cell. There was a look of panic on his face.
When he walked back outside his car was waiting for him. He climbed into it even as he listened to Max's number ringing over and over with no answer…
End of Chapter Ninety-One…TBC…
