structure adjacent to the Motława River, which snaked its way through the old town and the heart of the tourism district.
Liliana’s phone buzzed. “Looks like Goralski is headed out of town, south on the E75. He could be headed to Warsaw. It’s too early to tell.”
“So long as he’s not here in Gdańsk, I don’t give a rat’s.”
They made their way by foot to her favorite restaurant in the city, Machina, housed on the first floor of a soaring Gothic-style building. “Best pasta in the city,” Liliana promised.
They opted for inside dining to stay out of view instead of enjoying the festive ambience on the porch and people-watching beneath the warm flame towers. Jack’s pesto gnocchi topped with smoked bacon and fresh mozzarella was the best he had ever eaten, and the chocolate-and-quince tiramisu was perfection. He passed on the craft beer selection and opted for bottled water. Liliana had finished her spinach-and-ricotta ravioli and was working on a house merlot instead of dessert.
They reviewed the facts as they knew them and tried connecting a few more dots as they ate. Jack gave her as many details about Christopher Gage and BGS as he could recall. Mostly, he was stalling. But it was clear that Liliana wasn’t really paying attention.
“What are you thinking?” They didn’t have to whisper. The place was lively. Locals and tourists having a good time. The four women seated at the table next to them had killed off three bottles of wine already, gossiping and laughing like schoolgirls.
“I shouldn’t be sitting here. I should have Goralski picked up and questioned. Tonight.” She checked her phone. “He’s definitely heading for Warsaw.”
“And if he doesn’t talk?”
She took the last sip of merlot. “Believe me, he’ll talk by the time I get through with him.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe he lies. But if he’s a pro, he’s on a check-in schedule. You pull him in, his handlers will know he’s blown. There’s a bigger picture here.”
Liliana let out a long, frustrated breath. “Yes, you’re right. I should call in for a warrant for the warehouse right now.”
“Do you think a judge will issue one just because you thought that big dude was carrying illegally? That wouldn’t cut it with any judge I know of in the States.”
“No, probably not.”
“So, I have this idea,” Jack began. “More wine?”
“I can tell already I’m not going to like it.”
“It’s a good one. You’ve got to trust me on this.”
“You want to go in there tonight, don’t you?”
“Have to. You don’t have any compelling legal reason for a warrant to search the place. I can get you something.”
“I can’t let you break the law. My boss would have my head if you got caught.”
“I won’t get caught. And I’m not going in there to commit felony armed robbery. Just a little trespassing. I’ll get you your evidence, you get your warrant, and we’ll crack this nut wide open. My guess is that ship is as dirty as anything in that warehouse. It’s a twofer.”
“Then I’m going in with you.”
“No way. If we found anything and word got out that you broke in there illegally, any evidence we found would get tossed.”
Liliana leaned forward. The candle flames were dancing catchlights in her eyes, but she was stone-cold serious.
“Tell me the truth, Jack. You’re CIA? Military?”
Jack laced his fingers together and leaned forward on the table, matching her intensity. He lowered his voice.
“If you’re asking me if I can play the piano, the answer is no.”
Liliana’s expression darkened, and then suddenly she caught the joke and burst out laughing. Loud enough that the four women at the next table glanced over, smiling, wondering what all the fun was about at their table.
Jack raised a bottled water in a mock toast to them. “She said ‘yes.’”
The table of four women looked at one another, then cheered and clapped and raised their glasses to them, congratulating them in English and Polish.
Liliana blushed seven shades of red before turning toward Jack. She lowered her voice, staring daggers at him despite the fake smile. “I didn’t say ‘yes’ to anything.”
“They think you did. They just don’t know to what.” Jack stood. “We should go.”
He helped Liliana with her coat and threw a wave to the table of smiling ladies, who cheered them on one last time.
59
After dinner, Jack and Liliana grabbed their bags from the Audi and walked toward a hotel on the other side of the river near where they had parked.