Damnation Code (William Massa) - William Massa Page 0,5

In a matter of seconds he’d produced an arrangement that looked pretty damn impressive, even to Talon’s botanically challenged brain.

“Thanks, she’ll love these,” Talon said. He paid the Persian and continued on his way. He made another quick stop at a local grocery store and purchased a bottle of wine, a few fancy cheeses and crackers, grapes and some delicious-looking Tiramisu. The plan was to take Michelle on a romantic picnic in Dolores Park, and pop the question before he lost his nerve. He wanted it to be memorable but not overblown, romantic but not saccharine.

A rush of anticipation fueled his stride as he walked those last few blocks toward Fifth and Mission. He still sported a grin when he stepped through the main entrance of the San Francisco Chronicle. Other businesses had moved into the newspaper’s building. Workers clad in tech-upstart chic shuttled between sparkling water dispensers and rows of Apple computers.

The newspaper was becoming increasingly isolated in a building they had occupied since 1924. It was a reminder how the economics of news had changed since the dawn of the Internet. According to Michelle, rumors of a move made the rounds as frequently as wacky news tips about the Zodiac.

Talon entered the front lobby of the Chronicle and winked conspiratorially at the receptionist, signaling that he didn’t want her to ruin his surprise visit. This was going to be good. The pressure of the impending proposal was gone, replaced with growing excitement.

While crossing the bustling bullpen, he noticed the rugged, worn appearance of the cubicles, and how they formed a sharp contrast to the office space he’d glimpsed on the other floor. Despite the industrial loft vibe of the bricks and steel beams, this wasn’t some well-funded technology enterprise but an old-media bastion struggling to stay afloat in an ever-changing media landscape.

He homed in on Michelle’s desk. The moment he spotted her, a warm feeling filled his heart. She was scrunched in her Aeron chair, hair pulled back in a tight ponytail and serious eyes riveted to her computer monitor. She was wearing a pair of headphones and talking to a woman on the computer.

Talon’s last two months had been defined by the hardship of war. Seeing the woman he loved made the dark moments grow distant in his memory and gave him hope for the future.

Michelle. His girl and, hopefully, soon his wife…

If he should be so lucky.

Sensing his approach, Michelle looked up and their eyes met. She stifled her whoop of joy and told the woman she was Skyping with to hold on for a sec. She tore off her ear-buds and rushed to Talon. Their arms and their lips quickly interlocked. All thoughts took a backseat to the intensity of their fierce embrace. His world reduced to the feel of Michelle’s soft skin, the taste of her breath, and the gentle tickle of her hair. He breathed in her intoxicating scent.

Michelle was the one who applied the brakes to their building passion, realizing she was still at work. She took a step back and caught half the news office looking away and pretending to be busy with their jobs.

Talon grinned sheepishly. “Maybe I should’ve given you a heads up...”

“Maybe we just need to get out of here and find a more private place to celebrate.”

“Sounds good. Oh, by the way, these are for you.”

Michelle beamed when Talon handed her the Iranian’s lovely floral arrangement. “Mark, they’re beautiful! Thank you, darling.” She pressed the petals close to her cheek.

“Let me just wrap up this call and we’ll be on our way,” Michelle said as she turned back to her workstation and donned her headphones again.

Talon circled Michelle’s desk to gain a visual on the person she was chatting with. Anxiety marred the young woman’s attractive features, her nervous tension palpable. Talon couldn’t quite make out their conversation.

The screen went dark and Michelle turned toward him. There was a trace of concern in her eyes, but she quickly cast it aside. “All ready. Let’s blow this joint.”

As they headed down the stairs, Talon asked, “What was that all about?”

“Just one of my sources.”

“Cooking up some big new story?”

“Always.”

Talon waited for more but Michelle remained mum on the matter. She could be a bit secretive about her work, especially in those crucial early stages when she was still compiling research. Discretion was something else they shared in common.

Michelle leaned closer and kissed him again and all thoughts of the Skype conversation evaporated. “Hmmm, you smell good for a