10- Starting over… chapter ten

Three days after their visit, Cabe entered the office. Gina looked up, "Hello, Cabe. You wanting to see Walter?"

"Yes, if he's in and available."

Gina messaged Walter that Cabe was in the office to see him.

Walter, working at his desktop unit, heard the new mail alert on the laptop at the corner of the desk, opened it to see the message from Gina that Cabe was in the office so he minimized the file he was working and went down to the office.

Entering through the kitchen he saw Cabe standing with a large Manilla envelope in his hand. "Cabe, nice to see you. Come on up to the den and let me know what you need. Want some coffee or water?"

Following Walter through and up the stairs to the den, "Coffee would be good."

Reaching the den Walter waved Cabe to a chair, continued into the kitchen and brought coffee for both Cabe and himself then sat at his desk. "So what you have for me?"

"Like I said, we have a credible threat against a senator but our people cannot lock in on the sender- like the e-mail issue with the governor's daughter." Opening the Manilla envelope, Cabe handed Walter the paperwork and a flash drive it contained.

Walter put the flash drive in the laptop port, and sat back to scan the papers. Once done with the papers he opened the file of the flash drive and read the messages and watched the routing of the messages. "I can see why you consider these credible," Walter said. He pulled the laptop closer. "I won't use my desktop and risk it, the laptop should be able to trace this routing. Kick back, Cabe, this may take a while." Walter said while typing and concentrating on the laptop screen.

Fifty-three minutes later Walter printed out a paper to hand to Cabe. "This is the café where the messages originated, the times they were entered into the system. Check the café schedule of users or their video feed and you should have the person ID'd."

Cabe stood up. "I can't thank you enough for this, Walter."

"Any time, always happy to prevent harm to anyone- even politicians," he said with a chuckle. "You should have no problem if the café has a register of users and video feed. Message all this to the Denver office and Homeland may have their man before the day is out."

"Thanks again, Walter. I will get this to the office immediately, I can see myself out, I have intruded enough."

"I am not that focused on anything right now, Cabe. I can see you out, come back anytime you have an issue like this," Walter said rising and walking to the office with Cabe. Getting to the office they went to the door, "tell Allie I said hi, and be careful driving."

Walter turned and sat at a chair at Gina's desk. "Homeland is now happy with us, you have anything new and interesting going on?"

"With the holidays, things are slowing down to be honest. I did get an alert from Richard about the enterprise holiday festivities. You do realize you will be expected to attend."

"Whoa, what is all this? I don't do 'holiday festivities', besides, I am not an employee of his."

"No, but you ARE an affiliate. At this happy time of year, Walter, there are company awards, citations, personnel changes and the like doled out among long tables of champagne, cocktail sandwiches, and assorted tasty delights. All those on the list of recipients of the doling are expected to be there." Gina looked at Walter. "Your reaction is probably why Richard sent me the alert early before informing you- to soften you up and get you prepared to attend."

"Exceedingly inefficient way of doing things. And I do not know why Richard should think it necessary to dole anything out to me for any reason. So, no, do not own a tux, nor do I have the inclination to rub shoulders with a wad of people filled to the gills with champagne. Large groups of sober people are trying enough, those drinking are off the chart irritating."

"Walter, I have a dress all picked out, heels high enough to be able to stand by you. MY attending is dependent on YOU attending…. we are a package deal as Elias Enterprises's affiliate Scorpion Security Systems. I can rent you a tux, even tie the bow tie nicely. You will look amazingly handsome with your longer hair and all the ladies attending will be soooo jealous."

"I see no reason why you cannot stand in for Scorpion Security Systems alone."

"Walter, how embarrassing will it be for me to be there without an escort?"

Walter sat back chuckling, "invite your math major buddy, Hans. Would think the tall, blonde German types were more sought after than black haired Irish here in sunny SoCal, besides he is closer to your age."

Gina sat back as well. "Walter, you have NO idea how proud I would be to be seen with you."

Walter looked at her like a deer in headlights, "Proud? Why?" He rose, continuing "Ask those I used to work with, I am less than normal, do not socialize well, tend to anger or hurt people's feelings. Why would you ever want to be seen in public with such an immature, unmannered, socially inadequate sorry excuse for a man? Forget it, I have things to do." And he went through the kitchen, up to the den, then on to the roof to lean on the wall for a while. Gods, he thought, how can all the crap from that calamitous night be so close to the surface to come out in such an innocent conversation? He leaned on the wall thinking he should go apologize to Gina but, looking down he saw she was getting in her car. "GINA," he called down "WAIT A MINUTE."

When he got down stairs and out the door she was still standing by her car. "I want to apologize for my outburst. Pretty much shows you what has been said of me is on point, though. I am sorry. If you have no problem being seen with me, I should consider myself lucky to be out with you. Tomorrow I will go buy myself a tux, or would it be after five formalwear? Whatever, I do not do rented clothes. You can tie the tie and we will attend this circus of holiday festivities."

Gina looked at him with a big smile, "you mean it? You will go with me?"

Walter laughed, holding her car door. "Wait until AFTER this circus to see if you are happy about it. I will endeavor to be on my best behavior and keep my mouth shut, hard as it may be."

"Thank you, Walter. No matter what you say I am looking forward to it. I will send a message to the organizers that we will be there." Gina said. "Have a good night, Walter, see you in the morning."

Returning to the loft Walter sat at his desk. Hell, he thought, even I can put up with such nonsense for a couple hours. Just remember to smile a lot, keep the mouth shut, and get out as soon as possible. Gods, holidays, what a pain. He brought the laptop close and did a search on where to purchase the proper attire. He could certainly afford it, just a pisser to buy something that may never be used a second time. Maybe dragged into this crap every year, so just bag it and hang in the back of the closet. What a fiasco.

He went down to the bay to put the top down and pull the green Ferrari out to take a nice drive around the city. First time out since getting the paperwork transferred and it added to the insurance. Keeping it around town to see how it handles, shifting RPM's and general feel of it before taking it out on the back roads.

He closed up and took off. Cruising late evening on the roads on the outskirts of town he decided he made a good deal on the car. The monetary value of the patent was immaterial to him, he liked the car and after a cruise he decided to head back, stop off at Kovelski's for a burger. By now, surely he need not worry about running into anyone at this time of night.

He parked and walked in to sit where he could keep an eye on the car.

"Hey, Walter, coffee and cheeseburger, right?" Angie the night waitress asked bringing the larger cup and pot of coffee.

"Just what I want, Angie." Walter said with a smile and pulled his phone out of his pocket. Sipping his coffee he put the phone on the table and looked over the car sitting out in the lot. Yup, he thought, will make for some nice late night drives out in the hills. Handles nice and the top down just perfect for late night drives… meditative, so no need for speed, and nice weather only.

"Here ya go Walter," Angie said bringing his cheeseburger and freshened his coffee. "Nice to see you come around again."

"Thanks. Just back from a nice cruise around town. May see me more often late at night again." Starting to eat his meal Walter did not notice the MGB pulling into the parking lot the other side of the front door of the restaurant. Sarah walked in, looked around, noticed Walter and walked to his table. He looked up and raised his eyebrows. "Did not think anyone but me would be out at this time."

"Have you quit coming here in fear of running into me?"

"Not just you, so don't flatter yourself."

"Mind if I join you or do you prefer to wrap yourself in a mantel of solitude?"

Walter smiled, "Have a seat, you need not wax so poetic. What would you like?" he asked when Angie came to the table with a cup and pot of coffee.

Sarah looked up, "Hi Angie, the usual cheeseburger and coffee, please."

Pouring her cup of coffee Angie said, "Not surprising you guys sit together, same late night drives, same late night snack. Be right back with your burger- put the order in when I saw you park, Sarah."

"You're not walking tonight?" Sarah asked. "When I saw you sitting here thought I might give you a lift home."

"No, been looking for some time for an interesting car for late night drives when I can't sleep and finally acquired it." Walter said. "This was the first excursion around town to get acquainted with it."

Angie came with Sarah's cheeseburger and a pot of coffee to refill both cups.

"So which of the few cars in the lot is your new acquisition? Surely not that old Chevy over there."

"No," Walter chuckled, "not the old Chevy, the convertible right below the window."

Sarah stood up leaning toward the window to get a good look. "Is that a Ferrari badge?" She asked looking at him. "Wow, a lot more class and power than my MGB. Never been in a Ferrari, is the power and handling that noticeable? Driving one really that much different?"

"These days I am more into the handling than the speed." Walter said. "Yes, compared to most American the handling is noticeably better, especially for back roads. Freeway is boring."

"Maybe the Jag could beat you top end….. but you would have me on handling. The XK is a delight to the eye but rather lacking on the handling department especially with that huge steering wheel compared to today's cars, and especially a road racer like a Ferrari."

"You have the time, when we finish I can take it out again if you would like to ride along," Walter offered. "Your MG will be safe with the crew here keeping an eye on it, plus a couple cops breakfast here so the unsavory don't hang around."

"Sure, my first ride in a Ferrari….. cool. Eat up, the night is getting short and don't want to get caught in the sleep deprived commuter crowd."

Finishing their meals Walter paid the tab and they went out to the Ferrari. Walter opened the door for her to get in then got behind the wheel. He took it through residential side streets then did hit a freeway to open it up a bit then headed back to the restaurant.

"Yeah, quite a car. Can I ask how much it cost?"

"No money changed hands, trade for a design patent." Sitting in Kovelski's parking lot with the car idling Walter turned to her, "Care to follow me home and spend some time?"

Sarah laughed, "another merger? You do not seem so cold and calculating this time. I would love to spend some time with you, Walter." He put the car in gear and pulled it around to her MGB. She got out and started up to follow him to the garage. He pulled the Ferrari to the second bay, opened the man-door, opened the door and pulled the car in while she pulled the MGB closer to the doors. He closed and set security and they went up to the loft.

He kicked off his shoes, pulled his shirt off then turned to her and pulled her into his arms. Again he had a surge of desire kissing her and ran his hands under her shirt to unclasp her bra while she unbuttoned her shirt so both fell away. He wrapped his arm around her to pull her close as his mouth found her breast.

"Damn, Walter."

He kissed her again while slipping her shorts and panties down for her to step out. She was working on his jeans while he was back at her breast, hand exploring between her legs to gently get her ready. He laid her on the bed then shed his jeans and boxers to join her. Again he kissed her deeply while pleasuring her slowly then kissed his way to her breasts. He moved above her and she wrapped her legs around his hips as he slowly entered. "Walter, don't tease." He halted and she thrust her hips up for more. "Walter…." So he thrust fully to her moan. He kissed her deeply while slowly moving his hips and she grasped herself to him to get more. Continuing the slow rhythm he reached down to pleasure her until she climaxed gasping his name and throbbing around him. Staying in her, he pulled her atop him and pushed her upright by her shoulders so she was deeper penetrated. She rode him and climaxed again to collapse on his chest. Laying there a few moments he laid her on her back, rose above her and entered again. "GOD, Walter…." she gasped and he increased the tempo until he groaned in completion as she climaxed and throbbed around him again. He collapsed beside her, pulled the blanket over them and they both slept.

This time she awoke before him. She laid there looking at him, running her fingers through his hair. His eyes opened and she laid a hand along his cheek to lean over and give him a kiss. "My god you are something. I am going to take a shower."

"Go ahead, I am going to drift off again for a while…. had a hard night," he said, closed his eyes and did doze off.

When Walter again woke up, he saw Sarah sitting on the easy chair looking at him. "Something wrong?" He asked stretching. "There is coffee set up in the kitchen if you want to get it started while I shower." He got up, pulled clean boxers from a drawer and headed into the bathroom. Once showered and dried off he slipped on his boxers and, going into the bedroom to dress, Sarah handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks," he said taking a sip, putting the cup on the dresser and getting jeans and t-shirt on, sat on the bed to put on socks and shoes to stand and finish the coffee.

"You enjoy watching a man get dressed?" he asked going back into the bathroom to brush his teeth and run a comb through his hair. "All ready for the day? Shall we go to Kovelski's for breakfast? I am mighty hungry this morning for some strange, unexplainable reason."

Sarah laughed, "You expended one hell of a lot of energy last night. Let's go, breakfast is on me, you bought the burgers last night."

"Sounds like a deal," Walter said and followed her down the stairs to open the man-door and got in the MGB for the drive to the restaurant.

Waitress Nancy gave Walter a wave when he walked in, got a large coffee cup and brought it over to their table. "Morning Walter, burger or breakfast this time? How about you, coffee, too?"

"Yes, coffee for me as well."

Nancy brought another coffee and put it on the table. "So what you having this morning?"

"Go ahead, Sarah," Walter said. "My usual breakfast for me, Nancy."

"I'll have the ham scramble and wheat toast, thanks."

Sarah put her elbow on the table and her chin on her fist looking at Walter.

"OK, I'll bite, what is on your mind?"

"I am trying to figure out how a handsome, thirty-something, Ferrari driving, business owning, computer and math genius is footloose, fancy free, and unattached in the middle of Los Angeles."

"Because I do not get attached. I strongly suggest you do the same."

"Oh, one day I will when the right man comes along."

Nancy brought their breakfasts and refilled their coffee dropping the tab on the table. Walter took it before Sarah did.

Taking a sip of his coffee, Walter glanced at her, "I don't want to come off self-centered but hope you don't even think of it about me."

"Why not?"

"Because as I said, I do not get attached. Been there, done that, won't do it again."

Sarah laughed, "ever hear the old adage you have to kiss a lot of frogs before finding the prince…. or princess?"

Walter glanced at her between bites of his breakfast. "How many frogs have you kissed? Not a nun as you said and still single at thirty I'd say a fair number. Yet you keep trying?"

Sarah smiled, "Ever hear the saying 'hope springs eternal' or 'if at first you don't succeed try, try again'? How many experiments did it take to get to a functional light bulb? I never thought of the Irish as so dour as you are."

Walter laughed at that. "Dour. No, as a people we're generally not dour. Maybe I have been in the States too long."

"Oh no, you can't blame your depressed state on us. Americans as a people are ever optimistic, effervescent, forge ahead, no holds barred, jumping into the fray with both feet."

Walter laughed, "yes, Americans certainly do jump in with both feet and many times end up washed ashore dead and bloated. Eat up the day progresses and I have things to do."

"Gods, you are bound and determined to leash that black cloud to yourself. Ok, Ok, I'm eating and ready to go. I was supposed to buy, remember so let me have the tab."

"This was my idea, and I can at least pretend to be a gentleman." Walter said going to the register, paying, then opened the door for Sarah. They got in the MGB for the ride to the garage. Walter got out, said "Thanks for the ride" and entered through the office. "Good morning Gina. Have some coffee going?"

"Yup, just finished brewing so have at it."

"Thanks." Walter said heading into the kitchen, got some coffee and headed for the den.