“It’s a little late for that now, isn’t it? And speaking of being late, punctuality is required in your contract.” I glance at my watch again.
Alice elbows me in the ribs. “Just so you know, if you look at your watch one more time while I’m having lunch with you, I’m going to dump the contents of my plate on your head.” She smiles sweetly as she says it.
“I knew I liked you the moment I first laid eyes on you.” Winona smirks. Then she frowns at me. “Okay, Blake, I have a heck of a lot to do today. You sent me a message saying to meet you here. It was marked urgent. What’s the emergency?”
I ignore her, turning to speak to the waiter who’s just appeared by my side. “Is our table ready yet?”
“Yes, sir, right this way.”
Winona shoots me an angry look, but she follows us. I grin to myself. This is fun. I’m going to miss her when she’s gone.
She tries again when we reach our table. Alice, Tamara and I sit, but Winona remains standing. “You asked me to meet you here?” she repeats.
“I did draw the pentangle and make the proper incantations to summon a succubus, yes.”
“Speaking of which…” Winona leans down and presses her bangle-covered wrist up against my hand, then shakes her hand. A sensual glow pulses through me at her touch, and I stifle a low groan. “Do you feel a burning sensation? No? Okay. Silver doesn’t work then. I’ll add that to my list. Anyway, you needed something?” Impatience edges her voice.
“A lot of things.”
I glance at the waiter. “We’d all like coffee, except for the young lady, who would like orange juice. We’re not ready to order yet.”
“Please,” Winona adds.
“I know, right?” Alice nods in exasperation. “I am trying to set a good example for my daughter by emphasizing manners, Blake.” She shoots me an annoyed look.
“Yes, sir.” The waiter scurries away. Across the room, I spot the governor and his wife in a booth by the wall, and I wave at them. They wave back.
“Blake?” Winona’s voice rises sharply.
“Mom, I have to use the lady’s room,” Tamara speaks up suddenly, and stands up.
“We’ll be right back,” Alice tells me. She winks at Winona. “Don’t go easy on him.” I skewer her with a scowl as she and Tamara walk away.
Winona plops down onto the chair. “Blake. You called me here to eat lunch, which I could have done back in my office?”
“No.” I smile, eyes gleaming with malice. “I called you here because I needed something done, then I realized I could have Henry do it. So now you’re going to stay here and eat with us in case something else comes up. And it’s not your job to question your assignments.”
“I came all this way for nothing?” Her voice rises in dismay and anger.
“Not at all. You came all this way because I told you to.”
Her eyes spark with annoyance. “I really should just go back to the store. I have a very long list of things to get done before I stagger home in the wee hours.”
“I know. I made the list.” I smile, radiating evil humor. “And I can add to that list.”
A big family group bustles by us, following the waiter. I vaguely recognize a couple of them from Norfolk’s racquetball court, which is located in the health club on the second floor. The Abelards. Grandparents, parents, a small clot of those time-sucking inconveniences that people refer to as “children”. I love my niece, but that doesn’t mean I can allow myself to indulge any paternal urges. My father managed to juggle family and work – barely. I am not the man my father was.
“Yes, sir, I’m sorry, sir,” Winona says loudly, in a shrill, frightened voice. “I’ll check to make sure that every last one of those families have been evicted and relocated to the homeless shelter.”
The Abelards turn as one and look at me in horror. The white-haired matriarch steps protectively in front of one of the grandchildren.
Winona raises her voice even louder. “And the animal shelter should be closed down by tomorrow morning.” She picks up her napkin and pretends to sob into it.
Now they’re staring with open revulsion. They turn and stomp to their table, shooting me evil looks.
“Seriously?” I snap at Winona.
“What?” Winona drops her napkin and smirks at me. “I read the contract very thoroughly. It said I had to get