Chapter Seven: Boston Detour
"Here we are, darling."
"Huh?"
"We're here, Nick." Jenny's soft voice gently roused him, even as her cool fingers teasingly stroked his cheek. Nick came awake just as the sleek luxury train was pulling into Boston's famed South Station.
"I booked us a suite at the Fairmont in Copley Plaza," Dr. Halsey briskly informed him, her voice matching her purposeful steps as the two of them crossed the crowded terminal together. "Once we've checked in, you can unpack your things, have a bath and relax while I take a short trip to the Museum of Fine Arts. I know someone who may be able to help us trace the missing amulet."
"No!" Nick pushed roughly against the doctor's arm, resisting the soft, lightly coaxing pressure of the slim fingers at the small of his back. Jenny was calling the shots, guiding him through the crowd as though he was still out of it after that little snooze on the train. To tell the truth, Nick didn't get why he still felt so damned groggy. But the elegant blonde clinging to his arm was not in charge here.
"That amulet was our only protection against the evil goddess. If we split up she'll strike fast and hard. She wants you dead, Jenny. Don't kid yourself about that. From now on we do things my way. That means sticking together."
"All right, Nick." Jenny wanted to resist. As a scientist she trusted her own logic and felt that her finely trained intellect could handle the situation. But her womanly instincts told her to make a show of surrender. It was better to give in, at least for the moment. But Jenny was very much at war with herself. Part of her longed to resist, and part of her longed to submit to Nick's authority. After a moment of struggle, she gave in and released his arm. "Do you have any ideas on how to begin our search?" Jenny tried to sound detached and analytical. But the cool, scientific tone didn't match the heat in her cheeks. Being overruled by Nick had her emotions churning!
"Yes, I do." Nick looked the cool, classy, sexy Brit right in the eye. "Our search for the evil goddess Ahmanet starts with you."
Jenny felt utterly bewildered by it all. One moment Nick was being calm and reasonable and everything was under control. It was only natural that she'd taken charge during the long train trip. Nick was tired after all he'd been through. And evidently she'd worn him out in bed the night before. Jenny certainly noticed how droopy-eyed he was on the train. He slept like a little lamb for the entire trip. And she'd felt a rather warm and motherly urge to look after him. That was all perfectly understandable, wasn't it?
But the moment they arrived in Boston, Nick snapped awake. And instead of being grateful, he acted as though she was scheming or plotting against him!
"Where are we going now?" Jenny didn't recognize this part of Boston. She was quite familiar with the great universities, the tech firms, and the art galleries and museums. And she knew a bit about the exquisitely expensive shops and boutiques around Newbury Street. But there were no fancy shops on this street.
"This is South Boston," Nick replied, in a clipped tone. The houses were all alike, row upon row, all small and dirty looking. The cars parked on the street were old and rusted and missing hubcaps. Many of them were missing tires. Nick said something to the cab driver, making him turn into a narrow side street. This was clearly a part of town that Nick Morton knew very well.
Jenny felt a bit frightened. She clutched Nick's hand, not quite certain what to make of all of this. And she wondered what was going to happen next.