'What's unfair about that?'
'You always know what I'm thinking and I have no idea what's going on inside that head of yours.'
That drew a real smile. 'Finally, I'm a woman of mystery,' she said. 'That's always been my goal in life.'
'So tell me, woman of mystery. What would be the first thing you'd buy if we were very, very, very rich?'
'What kind of question is that?'
'Just curious. Let's say we sold the restaurants and made a killing. You could go anywhere, you could buy just about anything. Come on, you never thought about something like this?'
'Okay,' she admitted. 'I do know. I'd buy something incredibly beautiful.'
'New house?'
'God forbid, I never want to leave our apartment. No, I'd buy something… permanent. Something that I could look at all the time and know it was home waiting for me. Something that I'd know would last forever and never change.' He raised his eyebrows, waiting for the revelation. 'I'd buy a Hopper,' she said. 'If I could. One of his early cityscapes. I'd put it right over the fireplace and I'd know how I was changing by how I reacted to it over time. I'd know I was happy if I only saw the beauty. Or I'd know something was wrong if what I felt most was the despair or the loneliness.'
'Art as emotional compass?'
'You asked,' she said. 'You asked and that's what I'd buy. Now how about you?'
'That's easy,' he told her.
'Minority share in the Knicks?'
He shook his head. 'I'd buy something incredibly beautiful, too.'
'Chateau in France?'
'This.'
He reached into his pocket, brought out a thin, black box and pressed it into her hand.
'What is it?'
'Open it.'
She did and he was pleased – he'd never heard her gasp before.
'Oh, my God, Jack, it's… it's…'
'Spectacular?'
'Yes. It is very spectacular. Are you nuts? It must have cost a fortune.'
'It did,' he agreed. 'Happy opening.'
She pulled a necklace out of the box, held it up, let it dangle from her fingers as she stared at it in awe. It was a choker, a perfect circle of diamonds that sparkled magnificently even in the dull overhead light of the office.
'Like it?' he asked.
'I've never seen anything so beautiful. I really can't believe it. Jack, you shouldn't have.'
'Does it make up for forgetting the goddamn rifle?'
'I still can't believe you forgot it. I reminded you again right before you left…'
'Does this make up for it?'
'Yes. It makes up for it.' She smiled a lustrous smile. 'But just barely.'
'Put it on.'
She slipped the necklace around her throat, reached behind her to fasten the clasp. Then she turned to face him.
'It's a good match,' he said.
They both leaned forward and their lips met. It was supposed to be a quick kiss, a seal on the upcoming evening, except Jack raised his eyes, saw something in hers, not sure quite what, but it made him lean in closer and the kiss lingered. Their lips parted, their tongues met, and suddenly one of her hands was behind his neck and both his arms were around her and they were clutching each other, merging their bodies as if trying to become one. When they finally broke apart, the kiss ended first, their mouths very gently separating; then they slowly released each other, their bodies gradually moving backward, first their heads, then their chests, and finally their hips and legs.
'When this night is over, I think we might have to make some serious love,' Jack said.
'You just might be on to something,' she agreed. 'If the night's ever over.'
And then it was time to get ready. The necklace stayed around her neck but her boots came off, then her jeans and work shirt. In only a few moments, it seemed, she was glorious in a simple, short black Krizia dress and he looked the perfect host in his Armani tux.
She tied his tie, something he had never managed to master, looping the black silk into a graceful bow. He stood back, admired himself briefly in the mirror, turned, and gave her one last kiss, this one light and quick.
'Let's go rock and roll,' he said.
7:32 p.m.
'Governor, it's so nice to see you.'
'Caroline, you look even more beautiful than usual. How is that possible?'
'Governor, I'd like to introduce you to the woman you really need to flatter. This is Wendy and she's the one who'll get you your table in the future.'
'Ah. Then let me turn my attention to the real power.'
The anchor laughed and blushed just slightly. 'Here's my card, Governor. Please call me directly whenever you need anything.'
A delighted smile in Caroline's direction. 'I like her already, Caroline.'
'We aim to please, Governor. We aim to please.'
7:38 p.m.
It was time. No more Before. Now it was During.
The magic invitation had been used. It had worked. Of course it had worked. It was magic.
Everything was working.
Tonight, everything was magic.
The restaurant was already getting crowded and the sidewalk in front was jammed with people. Some of the key guests had arrived. Limos were parking at the east end of the mall. It was like a giant party. People were drinking, laughing, talking a mile a minute. It was happening. It was definitely time.
As long as they did what they were supposed to, as long as they stuck to the schedule. But they would. They had to. And now it was time to move. It was essential to move. Now.
It was not difficult to maneuver through the drinkers. There was no reason to think anyone would notice. There was absolutely no reason to notice a thing.
The guy at the front of the restaurant was so damn nice. The bathroom? Of course. Right through there, behind the bar and to the left. Right next to the stairway.
The stairway to the office.
Head down, don't make eye contact with anyone now. Don't bump into anyone. Don't knock over a drink. Don't draw attention. There she is. Right there, over by the bar. Just as she's supposed to be. I can practically touch her. No, don't raise your head. Don't do it. No attention now. None. Leave her be. Leave her be for now.
Go through the right door. No one inside. Perfect. Nice bathroom. Very nice. So clean. What was this stone? Marble? Yeah, maybe. Must have been expensive. Everything must have been expensive in this place.
Oh, it's just the way you planned it, isn't it? Exactly the way you imagined it in your head.
You are very, very smart. You are very, very, very smart.
Go into the stall now. It's part of the Plan. Close the door. Now just wait.
It's going to happen soon. Very soon. They wouldn't dare let you down. So just wait. All you have to do is wait.
No, no, what are you thinking? That's not all you have to do.
You have to check the gun.
Good. Fully loaded. Same as it was the other ten times you checked it. All ready.
