Chapter Six (Dinner Conversation)

He watched through the steamy window as the cab pulled up to the curb and saw Vicki lean forward to pass the payment to the driver. She said something and the driver laughed nodding his head in agreement. Then she swung open the door and climbed out. Leaning into the back seat she retrieved her bulging messenger bag complete with multiple fat beige file folders sticking out the top.

When Mike saw the jeans, boots and leather bomber jacket topped off with the ponytail, he was glad he had made his appearance more casual. One never knew with Vicki, but this time he had read the situation right…this was work, not a date. He raised a hand in greeting, his smile crooked as she pointed at him through the glass.

A moment later she was at the table, Mike started to rise (his Mama had drilled that deep into his psyche) but Vicki waved the maneuver off as she slid into the seat opposite.

Her face was determined. "Hey Mike, you're looking good, what'd' ya say we eat first, I'm hungry," she said in a rush as she turned to settle her messenger bag on the bench seat between her and the window.

She looks the same, he thought, tired and wired and beautiful. I just want to touch her, even though I know I'll get burned. I can't stay pissed at her no matter how hard I try. Pissed at Captain Canine for deserting her, well that's another matter. She looks in a pretty good frame of mind, though, before things go south maybe I should try…

"Vic I just wanted to say…" Mike began, but Vicki cut him off quickly.

"Let's just leave it Mike," she said spreading her palms in front of her body in a 'hold on' gesture. "We're just two old friends having a nice dinner and then exchanging some info on my case, Okay?"

Her eyes look haunted behind those damn glasses, he thought. If she only knew how much they say that she won't…

Mike cleared his throat allowing his eyes to fall to the menu on the table top. "I think I'll have spaghetti and meatballs," he said, acquiescing to her wishes, one more time

.

"Spaghetti and meatballs and beer Mike? If I'd known we could have gone to Dino's," Vicki chided. "You said no cheap spaghetti house so…"

Mike met her eyes and said slowly, "Consider it back pay." His lips curved in a smile that though it eased the accusation in the message, did not reach as far as his eyes. Vicki's smile faltered and then brightened as she resurrected their familiar roles.

"I don't need the menu," she said as the waiter approached. Mike watched, open mouthed, as she ordered.

"Please ask the chef if he will prepare me the veal piccata. I so enjoyed the sauce the last time I was here. If he has the roasted fingerling potatoes…that would be perfect. I think the tomato and bocconcini salad to start but without the capers. We'll have a bottle of the Brunello di Montalcino as well please."

She smirked, just a little, as Mike said, "Who are you and what have you done with the real Vicky Nelson?"

***

Vicki tipped the glass and allowed the last of the wine to slip into her mouth. Henry always did have good taste in wines…for a dead guy who lives on blood, she thought. Ordering the same meal she had had the last time that she was here with Henry, had brought back a lot of memories, and most were good. If only she could ignore the persistent ache in the middle of her chest that proclaimed something integral to her existence was missing.

This whole thing is okay with Mike…I thought it would be a lot more uncomfortable. I really only had that one bad moment there when I looked up and expected to see Henry sitting opposite of me, with his arm up on the seat back and that crooked smile on his face…come on Vicki, focus here!

"So," she said as the waiter placed their coffees on the table, "what did you find out about Orion Gaelan?"

Here we go, thought Mike. The shit is going to hit the fan big time now. "What I found out was that Orion Gaelan is a 'person of interest' in two ongoing homicide investigations and even by sharing that, I have divulged more information than I should have Vic," he said. He was hoping for a firm and authority-filled tone, how he actually sounded to his own ears was, resigned. Not good, he thought.

Vicki was silent for a moment, then reached out and picked up a packet of sugar. She held it by the edge shaking sharply it several times before bringing her other hand up to open it. She leaned on her elbows holding the packet in front of her and looked at Mike intently from under her frowning brows. She drew in a breath…

Shit, he thought, I knew I wasn't going to make it, as his hand groped along the seat to rest on his attaché.

***

An hour later as the restaurant slowly emptied, the two of them sat heads together over the table top reviewing Mike's notes on both homicides and Vicki's notes on the organizations to which Orion Gaelan belonged and his last known movements.

"So," Vicki said as she sat back, "here's what we know. There is an organized crime connection to the two 'victims' here. There are connections to the trafficking of illegal furs and products from endangered species. There are animal rights organizations involved. Gaelan was involved in an up close and personal altercation with one of the vics. Both were drowned as a form of execution. Both had salt water in their lungs containing seal hair. The only place in anywhere nearby proximity that has a salt water pool WITH seals is the Toronto aquarium. You've reviewed their security tapes for the TOD's on both vics and there is nothing on the tapes out of the ordinary. I'd like copies by the way."

Mike just nodded numbly as Vicki continued,"Gaelan has been missing for six weeks, but his credit cards have been active." She paused and then said slowly, "Maybe something…retributive? Or maybe he has gone into hiding?"

Mike interjected, running a hand through his hair, "With the organized crime connection, I'd say more likely 'retributive,'" using Vicki's euphemism.

He was interrupted by the muffled ringing of Vicki's cell from inside the depths of her bag. Mike watched as she fished around in her bag, breathing curses under her breath. She finally pulled out the phone upside down. When she flipped it over, Mike saw how she suddenly stilled. The color drained from her face, and her eyes darted to his. Before he could ask, she flipped the phone open and put it to her ear. Her voice uncharacteristically timid, she inquired.

"Henry?"

Mike frowned, he could hear the smooth voice on the other side of the line, though he could not discern the words…fuck, I didn't know they were talking again, why, can't the blood sucker just leave her alone?

***

"Henry?" she said timidly.

"Victoria, this is Henry. Have I caught you at a bad time?"

"No, no it's fine, I can talk," she said, her sharp glance warning Mike to keep quiet.

There was a pause and then he spoke again. "Victoria…Vicki, I just wanted to apologize directly for the tone of my last e-mail, it was…inexcusable," Henry finished.

"Yes well, I probably shouldn't have made the 'meals on wheels' comment," she said, her lips quirking a little at the corners. I wonder if he can hear my heart over the phone she thought, as it began to beat more quickly in her chest.

"Ah well, it does have a certain…aptness of phrase," he said dismissively. And then his voice deepened with a sudden urgency. "Vicki I've missed…"

"Is that the Prince of Darkness?" Mike asked in a loud voice. "Doesn't he know it's rude to interrupt someone's dinner?"

Fuck him and white charger he rode in on, Mike thought

There was a moment of complete silence on the phone and then Henry's voice as he almost hissed, "Are you out with Celluci, Vicki? Please give 'your date' my apologies. I should go."

"Henry wait!" Vicki almost shouted. She slipped out from her seat looking daggers at Mike as she did so. Unrepentant, Mike just shrugged his shoulders as he picked up his coffee. She waited a frozen moment listening for the buzzing of the disconnection, but it never came, and after a moment she said, "Henry, you still there?"

Another long pause and then his soft response reached her ears, "Yes, may Jesu help me; I don't know why I am…but yes."

As she started towards the door Mike heard her say… "It's not like that Henry, maybe it was in the past but not now. We are just out at a restaurant working on a case."

Over the sudden pain in his heart Mike heard the soft intonation of the vampire's response. He saw her smile as she said, "We're at L'Artista. Do you remember? …Yes, yes, and the veal. I ordered it again tonight. Oh yes it's still delicious…" Her voice was cut off as the front door of the restaurant closed behind her.

If Mike leaned forward onto the table slightly he could see her walking up and down in front of the restaurant turning every few paces and gesturing with her free arm. He kept his eyes glued to her face.

It was like watching someone suddenly become well after months of illness. As much as he wanted to curse Fitzroy, he could not. Mike could see that Henry, vampire though he was, didn't take life from Vicki, he gave it. Mike could see it in her face and hear it in her voice.

He wanted Vicki to have what she needed. He just wished that Michael Celluci was what she needed.

Mike began to gather his papers together as Vicki snapped closed her phone and returned to the table.

"Mike," she started to say, but he held up a hand.

"You know what Vic, I'm okay… it's okay. How about we go down to Flannigan's for a couple of drinks?"

Mike felt the vibration of the cell in his pocket against his hip. "Hang on," he said.

"Celluci….hey Dave…I'm off duty you know. Uh huh….right…"

Vicki's thoughts were on Henry as she gathered her things. However her attention focused as she heard one phrase of Mike's conversation clearly.

"What kind of a special project? Why? Have they found more murders? Fine, I'll be there first thing in the morning. Yes tell Crowley…first thing. See you in the morning."

As he slipped his arm into his jacket to Vicki's raised eyebrow, he replied, "Crowley has something."