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Darby
“You haven’t been here?” Will asked, hands folded over his closed menu.
“No.” I smiled, looking around the interior of the Austrian restaurant. Old wooden beams soared above us, supporting the arched roof. It was easy to forget we were in Kansas City.
“Well, it’ll be the first time for us both.”
“How did you get reservations? You’ve been here a week!”
He shrugged and opened his menu. “I do have friends who helped.”
I gave another appreciative glance around the building, then opened my menu to peruse the offerings. “Well, I’m thrilled to try someplace new.”
The corners of his mouth tilted up. “Order whatever you’d like. We can try off each other’s plates.”
I agreed, and we were quiet until our server came by for our drink orders. I requested water, Will a red wine.
When the server left, Will looked at me. “Are you sure you won’t have a glass of wine?”
I almost agreed, but stopped myself. “I’ll stick to water for now. In case I get a call, I want to be clear-headed.”
“I have some tablets to help you be clear.”
I shook my head. “I’ve never used them before, and I really don’t want to start now.”
“Aww, Darby, where’s the fun in that? How do you have any fun if you’re always sober?”
“I got drunk enough last night to last a while.”
“Why was that?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you analyzing me?”
“Habit. It’s part of the job.”
I laid my menu flat and leaned forward. “How about both of us forget about our jobs tonight?”
He grinned. “I can do that. But you should have a glass of wine.”
“Maybe with dinner. I’ll stick with water for now.”
“Have it your way.” He shifted his focus to the menu.
We made our selections—I opted for a Schnitzel and Will chose something called an Esterhazy Rostbraten—and after the server disappeared, I searched for something to say, and instead, looked around the restaurant again.
“If our jobs are off limits,” he said. “Perhaps you should tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to tell. Superhuman and cop by day, and sometimes night too.”
“Family?”
“My adoptive father, Simon. My only real family.”
“He’s a pastor, right?”
I nodded, reaching for my water but wishing it were wine.
“How long has it been since your adoption?”
“He took me in when I was fourteen. Officially it didn’t go through until my brother renounced his claim to me and my real dad died in prison. I was nearly seventeen.”
“It’s painful, isn’t it?” He covered my hand.
“To some degree. To know your own flesh and blood didn’t want you. But Pops is the best dad a girl could wish for.”
“You love him?”
“Very much. He’s been my biggest encourager. I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”
Will smiled. “I have a sister like that.”
“Where is she?”
He picked up his wine and took a long drink. “Around. I don’t see her as much as I would like. She was in the military for a while. Did one of those dangerous jobs—working with explosives. She doesn’t talk about it much.”
We were both quiet. The waiter returned to refill my water, and a moment later, our pre-meal salads arrived.
“Well, that was a bit depressing.” I mixed up the dressing and greens. “How are you liking Kansas City so far?”
That took us in enough directions to get through the meal more comfortably. We laughed a lot, and I told him some places he should visit, even suggesting this season would be a great time to kayak some of Missouri’s floatable rivers. To that, he said, “I’m not much of an outdoorsman.”
“We’ll have to fix that if you’re going to hang out with me.” I’d allowed a glass of wine with dinner, and I picked it up and sipped.
He grinned. “I’m more of a book and movie person.”
“I like those, too.”
“Do you like dessert?” His eyes sparkled.
“Sometimes. I don’t like too many sweets.”
“Shall I order some?”
“I’m not going to be able to put my armor on!” I laughed.
“We’ll go for a walk after.”
I smiled. “Fine, order something. I’ve got to visit the ladies room.”
“Don’t be long.”
We both stood, and I wandered off to find the restroom, my purse over my shoulder. I took a few minutes after I’d finished with urgent business to double-check my holsters, then checked my makeup. I retouched a couple spots, then realized my thigh holster was too tight, so I stepped into a stall and gave my leg more circulation.
Once done, and I was sure the Derringer wasn’t going to end up on my ankle, I exited and returned to Will.
“I took the liberty of ordering a dessert wine. I hope you don’t mind.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was trying to get me drunk. I frowned a little. Hadn’t I been explicit about wanting to stay clear headed?
Politely, I picked up the glass and took a sip. It was sweet, and, okay, I gulped it a bit. Now with dinner mostly over, I was mildly nervous about the rest of the evening. Maybe some alcohol would steel my nerves and force me to relax.
I set it back on the table. “This is good.”
“Glad you approve. Dessert should be here in a moment.” He took a sip of wine. “Where would you suggest we walk?”
Loose Park, a few miles away, was a nice size, not too far from the Plaza, and would put me a few miles closer to home.
I suggested it, and almost as soon as I did, regretted it. Mark had told me how he felt about me there two years ago.
But Will was game. “Sounds fantastic. You know how to get there?”
I nodded, pushing my regret out of my head. “Lifelong Kansas Citian.”
“Great.” He glanced away. “Looks like dessert’s here.”
The server placed some sort of chocolate cake drizzled with a red sauce between us. “It looks delightful.”
“Then dig in.” He handed me a spoon, and we talked of the wonderful parks the area had to offer while we indulged. I finished my half and my wine. My head felt much lighter, my stomach heavier. My heart? I wasn’t sure what it was doing.
After a final sip of water, Will paid the bill and we left. I was feeling the wine, and the beginnings of a headache. Maybe I should beg off? Ask him to take me home?
No, I decided. I was going to enjoy my time, despite the headache. It was probably the wine.
Will put his arm around my shoulders and said, “You’ll have to show me where to go. I’m completely in your hands.”
I leaned in and smiled. “Thanks.”
He stopped, and I stopped right along with him on the sidewalk. His hands landed on my shoulders as he turned me to him. “No, thank you. It’s been a lovely evening, and you are a delightful woman, Darby.”
I didn’t know how to respond, but he didn’t give me a chance. He bent down and pressed his lips to mine. Any anxiety dissipated instantly, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back. Yes, this was a perfect night. Dinner at a phenomenal restaurant, a wonderful guy, pleasant enough weather.
I didn’t want it to end.
He pulled back, his face inches from mine. “Sorry if I was too forward. I—”
“Shut up.” I tightened my arms. “Just shut up and kiss me again.”
He obliged.
When we were done, I wanted to melt into a puddle. Nothing would be able to invade my happiness.
I couldn’t help but grin as Will and I strolled to his car. He helped me in, and I sank into the heated seats.
“Okay, show me where to go.”
I giggled. I couldn’t help it. “Don’t you have GPS?”
“I’d much rather hear your voice.”
* * *
Mark
MARK WAS A LITTLE GLAD Darby and Will had opted for the Freight House building, since it housed not one but three restaurants. The one they were at and the Italian restaurant on its opposite side weren’t suited for takeout, but the last one was: world-famous Jack Stack Barbecue. As he waited a row over from where Will had parked, he made a carry-out order, and walked in when it would be more than ready, spending less than two minutes inside.
He checked the GPS reader as he scarfed down a Martin City Mayor sandwich—burnt ends topped with coleslaw—and a vegetable kabob. Darby was still in the Austrian restaurant in the middle.
All he could do was wait and wonder right now.
Had Will drugged her yet? Was he going to take that chance to do it two nights in a row?
Would she realize it?
Mark dribbled some of the coleslaw down his black shirt. “Damn it.” He reached for a napkin, making sure he didn’t get any on the interior of Reid’s car.
As he finished up and put the napkins in the empty carryout sack, Will came out with Darby tucked under his arm.
As Mark watched, Will turned her to him and kissed her.
It was a long kiss and went a few steps beyond public decency. Mark wondered if Darby realized she’d raised her leg and wrapped it around Will’s?
Feeling more like a voyeur than a detective, Mark snapped a couple pictures, quickly glancing away until he hoped they were done. He glanced up to see they’d separated but then saw her nearly foist herself on Will.
There was no way that was her. Not totally. Had Will, with his powers, influenced her to behave this way, or had he drugged her already? Or was it some combination of both?
Mark took another few pictures, then sank down into the seat as they headed toward their car.
He watched as Will helped Darby into the front seat and they settled in. He let them get a couple blocks away before he started the car and took off.
Back down south he followed them, taking Main most of the way. They kept slightly below the speed limit. Probably doesn’t want to arouse suspicion.
As he drove, Mark thought about how Darby looked.
Her eyes were starting to go glassy, even in the early fall light.