Chapter 3
The next day progressed very slowly for Burke.
His casework was unusually light. It was a good omen that his social engagement would go off without a hitch. Dinner reservations at Antonucci's were confirmed and he had time during lunch to slip into a specialty store to pick up a surprise gift for Elizabeth. All was going according to plan. An agency friend had even stopped by his desk and offered the use of his personal vehicle for the evening- -a nice break from public transportation. Perhaps this time he could dare to be hopeful.
Peter whistled at his desk as he envisioned the evening schedule. He expected to leave work early, rush home to shower and change, and pick up his date by 6:30 PM.
Life was good, or so he thought.
A phone call that afternoon began to disrupt his meticulous agenda. He received notification that one of the New York agents, specializing in international art theft, had received a tip that antiquated maps stolen out of Rome had surfaced in a local museum. Several of the missing maps had already been recovered in numerous European countries. Any maps discovered and authenticated in the United States would be quite a coup for the bureau. FBI Director William Sessions had placed a high priority on the case as a favor to the Italian government.
Burke's boss, Special Agent RJ Robinson, instructed Peter to verify the information at the museum and assist any agents on the detail. Burke and Connolly rushed to the scene with the required search warrant. The entire scenario involved several hours of investigation, arrests and confiscation. Peter arrived back at the office behind schedule.
Hesitantly, he called Elizabeth to explain the situation. She was very understanding and offered to meet him at the restaurant at a later hour. He jumped at the chance to keep the dinner date. Running late he rushed home to shower, change and pick up the car left by his friend. He even took several extra minutes to locate his lucky tie and verify that he had Elizabeth's gift safely encased in his suit coat pocket.
Although he left Connolly with strict instructions to remain on duty to answer any questions about the recovered maps, he took his cell phone and office pager with him to cover any unforeseeable problem. Connolly had orders to call him only in an emergency.
Peter arrived at Antonucci's only thirty minutes late. He quickly scrutinized the waiting area. Elizabeth, however, had been seated by a sympathetic waiter. The server gave Burke a disdainful glare as he approached the table.
"This lovely young woman has been waiting here alone for quite some time," sniffed the man disapprovingly.
Peter motioned the man away and turned to Elizabeth with chagrin. "I am so sorry I'm late. You have been so sweet." He collapsed in his chair and took hold of her hand. "You don't deserve to be treated like this. I planned for this evening to be special and I've already upset you."
"Peter, let's just start the evening over," she suggested. "No more reproaches. I'm looking forward to stimulating conversation and outstanding Italian cuisine." She had taken special care with her outfit and makeup and looked exquisite in a blue winter dress that complimented her eye color.
Peter sighed with relief. The evening was going to be salvageable. He smiled at Elizabeth across the table and noticed she had already ordered wine for both of them.
"I ordered Pinot Grigio. I believe that's an excellent choice for any Italian cuisine," Elizabeth said with a smile on her face. She lifted the glass and offered a toast.
"Wonderful," replied Peter as he reached over to clink her glass.
They proceeded to spend the next several minutes in pleasant conversation as Peter brought her up-to-date on the Italian map theft and recovery. She seemed genuinely interested in the case and observed how focused he was on accurately describing the details of the crime. With eyes animated, Peter made use of emotion and body gestures to expound with enthusiasm. She realized how significant federal law enforcement was to him.
By the time they ordered their meals of pumpkin ravioli and spicy penne, the conversation drifted to other topics. Peter had learned that Elizabeth spent her early years in Rochester. He excitedly described his growing up near Syracuse and attending Le Moyne College on a baseball scholarship, majoring in criminology. Elizabeth knew several friends that attended the Jesuit school and she was familiar with the campus.
As they began to converse about their favorite areas in upstate New York, Peter's pager and cell phone both chimed. He apologized and stood up. "I'll just answer this outside," he explained.
Connolly was on the line relaying apprehension about completing their map heist paperwork. Since the case was high priority he was worried about the content and format of the documentation. Peter quickly tried to reassure him of the procedure and again reiterated that he was unavailable for any routine office questions!
The same waiter again caught his eye with a frown of displeasure as he entered the restaurant. Peter returned the frown with a glare. "Don't expect a big tip," Peter muttered as he returned to his table.
Peter apologized for the interruption and sat down once again. He asked Elizabeth about her future plans with the art gallery. He was surprised to find out that her job was only a temporary stepping stone to a different profession.
By the time they had dessert Peter and Elizabeth were conversing like longtime friends. Their discussion was turning to sports when Peter's cell phone rang again. His body stiffened and this time he wasn't able to keep his temper under control.
"I'll answer this call and make sure it is the last one tonight," he told his date as he stormed off from the table.
When he heard Connolly's voice on the phone he barely kept his voice civil as he asked what the junior agent wanted. Again the younger man reiterated his concern about the documentation. Since this case would reach the Director's level the probie wanted Burke's expertise.
Peter sarcastically assured the agent that the FBI Director would not be reading the reports tonight. He told Connolly to go home and he would work with him tomorrow. Peter hurried back into the restaurant, avoiding any and all employee countenances, and once again seated himself at the table.
"Elizabeth," he began, "I bought you a small gift today."
Peter took a small, narrow, elaborately wrapped package out of his suit coat pocket. He proudly reached across the table and handed her his offering.
She smiled with delight and quickly tore open the package. Puzzled, she paused as she scanned the gift and looked up in surprise to Peter.
"It's a pen," she declared.
"Remember, you lost your special pen?" Peter explained with misgivings. Suddenly he wasn't sure his gift was appropriate.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"A pen!" exclaimed Neal. "You bought Elizabeth a pen?"
Peter shifted uneasily on the sofa. "Why? What's wrong with a pen?" he asked.
"Many reasons," answered Neal. "Does woefully unromantic mean anything to you?"
"A Federal bureaucrat's notion of largesse… yet practical," intoned Mozzie.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Elizabeth witnessed Peter's dismay. Suddenly, she didn't know what touched her more, the thoughtfulness of the gift or Peter's recognition of her sadness over the related loss. Seated in front of her was a perceptive warmhearted man. She graciously thanked him for being so considerate.
When dinner was over Peter motioned for the waiter to bring the check. The man slowly approached the table and rudely dropped off the bill. Peter was now determined to under tip him.
The agent smiled at Elizabeth and reached into his suit coat for his billfold. His face paled and he began to search his pockets with increasing desperation.
No, thought Peter. This could not be happening. He had been in such haste to change and rush to the restaurant that he had left his billfold in his earlier clothing. The priority before leaving his apartment was remembering his lucky tie and the gift!
He was on the brink of utter humiliation.