She glanced at him over the roof of the cab, and then glanced at the car. "I don't know. It wasn't here when I arrived, though."
Odd. But as they were probably being watched by those still inside the house, he resisted the impulse to inspect the car. Instead, he climbed in the cab and fed the computer the address of a restaurant in the Southgate entertainment complex. It was owned by a good friend, and he knew it would be safe to talk there.
The seat belt sign flashed. He buckled up, and then glanced across at Sam. Her color was still high, and she refused to acknowledge his stare. At least she no longer held the laser. Maybe she'd put it away to avoid the temptation to shoot him. Where had she gotten the weapon in the first place? At Kazdan's? And if so, how did that fiend get hold of it? Through Sethanon, or through his sources on the street? Either was a pretty frightening thought.
The cab sped away, electric motor humming through the silence growing between them. He returned his gaze to the road and watched the traffic roll by. It took just over half an hour to get to Melbourne. The cab rolled to a stop near Princess Bridge. He swiped his credit card through the debit slot, then climbed out and walked around the cab.
She stood on the pavement, arms crossed, eyeing the mid-afternoon crowds somewhat pensively. "When you suggested we talk, I thought you meant to go somewhere quiet."
"What can be quieter than standing alone in a crowd of strangers?" He led the way to the steps leading down to the promenade. Han's restaurant sat in the shadows of the bridge, overlooking the Yarra River.
She flashed him a surprised look, a smile almost touching her lush lips. "Is that a quote from Kuchoner?"
He nodded. "A great poet and something of a favorite of mine." He noted the surprise that flitted across her face and smiled grimly. "What, I'm with the SIU, so I'm not allowed any interests outside the paranormal?"
"Well, that's the rumor, and from what I've seen, the truth."
"Then you haven't seen enough."
"Obviously."
He opened the restaurant door and ushered her through. Inside, it was dark, the only light coming from the rainbow sparkle that played like stars across the ceiling. But in an hour or so, when the restaurant officially opened for evening trade, candlelight would join the stars and help provide the intimate, magical atmosphere that made Han's so popular.
"Gabriel, my friend." A big man loomed out of the darkness, arms opened wide. "It is so good to see you."
He allowed himself to be engulfed, and he briefly returned Han's embrace. "And you, old friend."
Han stepped away, wide grin barely visible beneath his bushy, handlebar moustache. "And who is this pretty little lady?"
"Samantha Ryan," she said, and held out a hand.
"So formal," Han mocked, and caught her fingers, holding them still as he bent down to kiss them.
Gabriel could almost feel the heat of her blush. She cleared her throat and snatched her hand back as soon as Han released it.
Han raised an eyebrow, amusement evident in his brown eyes. "What can I do for you both?"
"We need a meal and somewhere to talk."
Han nodded. "The dragon room is safe. I shall cook you something and bring it in."
Safe meant he had both psychic and electronic dampeners in place, preventing anyone from using either means to listen in. "Thanks, Han."
The big man nodded and walked back into the darkness. Gabriel guided her through the tables to the small room at the back. He pressed the button to one side of the door, switching on the special effects inside the room, then opened the door and ushered her through.
Her gasp was almost inaudible. He glanced at her, half-smiling as he closed the door. "Amazing, isn't it?"
She nodded, her gaze on the myriad of tiny dragons that danced and played across the roof. "They look so real."
"They're the latest in holographic technologies. Han is something of a pioneer in the field." He walked across to a center table.
She followed him. "So what's he doing running a restaurant?"
He lit a candle and motioned for her to sit. She took the chair directly opposite his. He hoped it wasn't a sign of things to come. "He still dabbles in the field, as you can see." And running a restaurant was far safer than active service in the Federation, which was where Han had honed his holographic skills.
She leaned back and asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
He smiled at her directness. "Honesty."