Chapter 10
**********
The short drive to "Lucky Chang's" started off a bit awkwardly. It soon became obvious to Dastun that his lovely companion was preoccupied. Their small talk was stilted and forced; her terse responses weren't helping. The major began to wonder just what Smith had told her about the evening's plans. As they neared the entrance and the waiting valet, he finally asked her if she knew the reason for the date. She shook her head no.
"I'm sorry, I guess Roger and I both dropped the ball on that one." He explained the surveillance mission and the need for a believable cover, and that Smith thought she'd be suitable. He didn't tell her that she was taking the negotiator's place.
Kirei's dark eyes widened in surprise. Why hadn't Roger bothered to tell her this, instead of just lending her out to the major as if she were his car? Now she felt anger as well as hurt from his actions. Who did he think he was, volunteering her like this? Dorothy's comment about his not owning them echoed in her mind.
Well, this wasn't the major's fault. She wouldn't ruin the evening for him; besides, she'd never been to "Chang's" before and was curious.
"That's okay, major," she said, as he opened the door for her. "I appreciate your honesty." She placed her small hand in his large palm as she left the car. It was the first time she had touched him, and Dastun decided he liked it. He smiled, and somehow the expression changed his craggy face for the better.
"Call me Dan. We're supposed to be on a date, remember?"
She smiled back, her eyes twinkling. He liked that even more. Dastun was still more pleased when Kirei left her evening wrap with the coat-check girl. She was spectacular to look at, her pale skin contrasting with the black fabric and heightening her sensuality. Every male head swiveled in her direction. It had been a long time since the major had been the center of such envy, and he rather liked it. He briefly wondered if it was always like that for the negotiator. Somehow it didn't seem fair for Roger to have two such companions.
The target of the operation stayed only briefly. When he and his party left (dogged by several other undercover officers) the evening was free for Dastun to enjoy.
Kirei proved to be an excellent companion. She was elegant, yet totally without pretense. She was what she was. She didn't titter in embarrassment at the performers in drag. Rather, she appreciated and understood their artistry and humor. She didn't feign a dainty appetite, picking at her food to appear lady-like. Kirei enjoyed her meal (lamb in black bean sauce) to the last bite, making Dastun wonder if she indulged other appetites with equal gusto. She was genuinely interested in what he had to say, and wasn't afraid to disagree, making her arguments with clarity, grace, and good humor. The major hadn't enjoyed himself this much in a very long time.
It was when he was dancing with her that he realized three things: 1) he knew nothing about her, other than she lived with Smith and the redhead; 2) he wanted to sleep with her; and 3) she'd probably be very easy to fall in love with.
Stick to #1, Dastun, he told himself. Dancing (it felt so natural to have his hand pressed against her naked back) would probably be as physically close as he would ever get. Falling in love would be sheer stupidity. How could he compete with Roger Smith? The man was handsome, young, rich...on the other hand she did not have the negotiator's undivided attention. That nubile redhead had been there first, and probably required a lot of upkeep. Perhaps he DID have a chance--but he would have to tread carefully. He did not want Smith as an enemy.
Over dessert (fresh lychees, kumquats, and pineapple in a light wine syrup) and tea, he asked her about herself.
"You're more mysterious than Smith. What did you do before you met him?"
She shrugged. "Pretty much the same things I do now--I work, I live my life; nothing special." She picked up a jade green lychee with her chopsticks and offered it to him. He accepted, his mind racing...she doesn't live off of Smith?
"I'm surprised you work. Doesn't Roger support you? What do you do?"
Kirei gave a half-smile, dimpling one cheek. "He offered to, but that's not my style. I've never asked Roger for anything, not materially anyway. Ever hear of 'Whitewolf Studio?' That's mine."
"Whitewolf Studio" was well known throughout Paradigm for its jewelry and art pieces. Several of the well-heeled patrons of "Lucky Chang's" were decked out in one-of-the-kind pieces from there. Dastun was stunned. "YOU own 'Whitewolf?'"
"Yup." The shapeshifter nodded. "I don't need Roger's money...or anyone else's, for that matter."
That meant Roger's money isn't holding her, Dastun thought. It also means my lack of it wouldn't be a problem. Things were suddenly starting to look up. He decided to get a little more personal. Shyly, he placed his large hand over one of hers. She didn't pull away.
"How did you meet Roger anyway? Were you a client of his, or was he one of yours?"
"Neither. Dorothy and I...sort of run in the same circles." Dastun knew nothing of pack. Kirei was not about to explain it, nor shifting either. Some things were best left alone.
"So you met through Dorothy..." That sort of explained the triangle, maybe...or maybe not. There were all sorts of rumors floating about the negotiator and his harem, ranging from the lewd to the ridiculous.
The evening sped by far too fast for the major's taste. As he drove her back, he knew he wanted to see her again, but he couldn't simply ask her out. What could he use as an excuse? Oh, of course!
"Kirei, this IS an ongoing surveillance operation. To be believable, it would help if you continued to be seen with me. Would you mind doing that?"
God, that sounds so lame, he thought. Will she believe me?
The dark-haired woman leaned back in her seat, her face thoughtful, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? Anything for the public good." She pulled a business card from her purse and handed it to the major. It was printed with the name of her studio, its address, and a cell phone number. "You can reach me directly this way."
Dastun insisted on escorting her to the mansion's entrance despite her protest that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. He gallantly kissed her hand before letting her close the door. Dan hummed to himself as he drove home. This was going to be interesting.
~~~~~
Kirei's mind was spinning. She had to talk to somebody, anybody--but who? She sighed. Norman was busy with the Big O's maintainance and was probably up to his neck in wiring. Roger wasn't home yet. She decided to take a chance on Dorothy.
The shapeshifter padded down the hallway to the redhead's bedroom and knocked on the door. "Dorothy?" A soft rustling answered her. Cautiously, Kirei opened the door, not wanting to wake her packmate if she was asleep. Perot greeted her instead, surrounded by bits of a shredded shopping bag.
The room was in disarray. Several pairs of dressy shoes were scattered about and the jewelry box was open. It was obvious that her packmate had gotten dressed up hurridly.
They waited for me to leave so they could have a private evening out, thought Kirei. Numb, she went to her room. I'm in the way, and they don't know how to tell me...maybe I should go...but it didn't seem right to simply disappear. The situation didn't make sense.
Dorothy would tell her if there was a problem, wouldn't she? They had always been honest with each other--that was the way of pack. The android had been friendly, if unusually subdued, earlier.
As for Roger...she removed the earrings he'd given her and looked at them. They were beautiful and obviously made to fit her features. A lot of thought went into his choosing them. She relived how gently he had put them on her, the way he had kissed her, how tightly he had held her--and how he pushed her away.
This had all started with those two gifts. Somehow they were the key to the puzzle.
"What's going on?' she murmured to herself. She needed to think. Kirei decided to shift and go out for a run. Maybe that would clear her head.
**********
The short drive to "Lucky Chang's" started off a bit awkwardly. It soon became obvious to Dastun that his lovely companion was preoccupied. Their small talk was stilted and forced; her terse responses weren't helping. The major began to wonder just what Smith had told her about the evening's plans. As they neared the entrance and the waiting valet, he finally asked her if she knew the reason for the date. She shook her head no.
"I'm sorry, I guess Roger and I both dropped the ball on that one." He explained the surveillance mission and the need for a believable cover, and that Smith thought she'd be suitable. He didn't tell her that she was taking the negotiator's place.
Kirei's dark eyes widened in surprise. Why hadn't Roger bothered to tell her this, instead of just lending her out to the major as if she were his car? Now she felt anger as well as hurt from his actions. Who did he think he was, volunteering her like this? Dorothy's comment about his not owning them echoed in her mind.
Well, this wasn't the major's fault. She wouldn't ruin the evening for him; besides, she'd never been to "Chang's" before and was curious.
"That's okay, major," she said, as he opened the door for her. "I appreciate your honesty." She placed her small hand in his large palm as she left the car. It was the first time she had touched him, and Dastun decided he liked it. He smiled, and somehow the expression changed his craggy face for the better.
"Call me Dan. We're supposed to be on a date, remember?"
She smiled back, her eyes twinkling. He liked that even more. Dastun was still more pleased when Kirei left her evening wrap with the coat-check girl. She was spectacular to look at, her pale skin contrasting with the black fabric and heightening her sensuality. Every male head swiveled in her direction. It had been a long time since the major had been the center of such envy, and he rather liked it. He briefly wondered if it was always like that for the negotiator. Somehow it didn't seem fair for Roger to have two such companions.
The target of the operation stayed only briefly. When he and his party left (dogged by several other undercover officers) the evening was free for Dastun to enjoy.
Kirei proved to be an excellent companion. She was elegant, yet totally without pretense. She was what she was. She didn't titter in embarrassment at the performers in drag. Rather, she appreciated and understood their artistry and humor. She didn't feign a dainty appetite, picking at her food to appear lady-like. Kirei enjoyed her meal (lamb in black bean sauce) to the last bite, making Dastun wonder if she indulged other appetites with equal gusto. She was genuinely interested in what he had to say, and wasn't afraid to disagree, making her arguments with clarity, grace, and good humor. The major hadn't enjoyed himself this much in a very long time.
It was when he was dancing with her that he realized three things: 1) he knew nothing about her, other than she lived with Smith and the redhead; 2) he wanted to sleep with her; and 3) she'd probably be very easy to fall in love with.
Stick to #1, Dastun, he told himself. Dancing (it felt so natural to have his hand pressed against her naked back) would probably be as physically close as he would ever get. Falling in love would be sheer stupidity. How could he compete with Roger Smith? The man was handsome, young, rich...on the other hand she did not have the negotiator's undivided attention. That nubile redhead had been there first, and probably required a lot of upkeep. Perhaps he DID have a chance--but he would have to tread carefully. He did not want Smith as an enemy.
Over dessert (fresh lychees, kumquats, and pineapple in a light wine syrup) and tea, he asked her about herself.
"You're more mysterious than Smith. What did you do before you met him?"
She shrugged. "Pretty much the same things I do now--I work, I live my life; nothing special." She picked up a jade green lychee with her chopsticks and offered it to him. He accepted, his mind racing...she doesn't live off of Smith?
"I'm surprised you work. Doesn't Roger support you? What do you do?"
Kirei gave a half-smile, dimpling one cheek. "He offered to, but that's not my style. I've never asked Roger for anything, not materially anyway. Ever hear of 'Whitewolf Studio?' That's mine."
"Whitewolf Studio" was well known throughout Paradigm for its jewelry and art pieces. Several of the well-heeled patrons of "Lucky Chang's" were decked out in one-of-the-kind pieces from there. Dastun was stunned. "YOU own 'Whitewolf?'"
"Yup." The shapeshifter nodded. "I don't need Roger's money...or anyone else's, for that matter."
That meant Roger's money isn't holding her, Dastun thought. It also means my lack of it wouldn't be a problem. Things were suddenly starting to look up. He decided to get a little more personal. Shyly, he placed his large hand over one of hers. She didn't pull away.
"How did you meet Roger anyway? Were you a client of his, or was he one of yours?"
"Neither. Dorothy and I...sort of run in the same circles." Dastun knew nothing of pack. Kirei was not about to explain it, nor shifting either. Some things were best left alone.
"So you met through Dorothy..." That sort of explained the triangle, maybe...or maybe not. There were all sorts of rumors floating about the negotiator and his harem, ranging from the lewd to the ridiculous.
The evening sped by far too fast for the major's taste. As he drove her back, he knew he wanted to see her again, but he couldn't simply ask her out. What could he use as an excuse? Oh, of course!
"Kirei, this IS an ongoing surveillance operation. To be believable, it would help if you continued to be seen with me. Would you mind doing that?"
God, that sounds so lame, he thought. Will she believe me?
The dark-haired woman leaned back in her seat, her face thoughtful, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? Anything for the public good." She pulled a business card from her purse and handed it to the major. It was printed with the name of her studio, its address, and a cell phone number. "You can reach me directly this way."
Dastun insisted on escorting her to the mansion's entrance despite her protest that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. He gallantly kissed her hand before letting her close the door. Dan hummed to himself as he drove home. This was going to be interesting.
~~~~~
Kirei's mind was spinning. She had to talk to somebody, anybody--but who? She sighed. Norman was busy with the Big O's maintainance and was probably up to his neck in wiring. Roger wasn't home yet. She decided to take a chance on Dorothy.
The shapeshifter padded down the hallway to the redhead's bedroom and knocked on the door. "Dorothy?" A soft rustling answered her. Cautiously, Kirei opened the door, not wanting to wake her packmate if she was asleep. Perot greeted her instead, surrounded by bits of a shredded shopping bag.
The room was in disarray. Several pairs of dressy shoes were scattered about and the jewelry box was open. It was obvious that her packmate had gotten dressed up hurridly.
They waited for me to leave so they could have a private evening out, thought Kirei. Numb, she went to her room. I'm in the way, and they don't know how to tell me...maybe I should go...but it didn't seem right to simply disappear. The situation didn't make sense.
Dorothy would tell her if there was a problem, wouldn't she? They had always been honest with each other--that was the way of pack. The android had been friendly, if unusually subdued, earlier.
As for Roger...she removed the earrings he'd given her and looked at them. They were beautiful and obviously made to fit her features. A lot of thought went into his choosing them. She relived how gently he had put them on her, the way he had kissed her, how tightly he had held her--and how he pushed her away.
This had all started with those two gifts. Somehow they were the key to the puzzle.
"What's going on?' she murmured to herself. She needed to think. Kirei decided to shift and go out for a run. Maybe that would clear her head.