Chapter Nineteen
Hours later, evening began to set, and they were done with the paperwork that the lawyer had chased him down to sign.
John tried to think of the right words to say to Alice as they got into his car, but nothing came to mind. He'd promised her a night out. The image of the red laser pointed to her head replayed in his mind and he didn't want to go anywhere but home.
The heaviness in the air wasn't the humidity. He turned toward the Rickenbacker Causeway to take her to Harry's, which was at least exclusive. If they sat in the back near the wall, they'd be safe enough.
His own mood might get better with fresh air. The restaurant's staff ensured that only certain people came inside. He'd been there many times as a child, so it fulfilled Alice's request.
The one thing that kept his shoulders from bowing beneath the weight of oppressive heat and the emotional day was the chance to enjoy the sunset with this beautiful woman next to him.
Alice had been quiet during the ride.
John asked, "Do you think Peter knows who the alternate beneficiary might be?"
"I don't know," she said.
"I don't know if I can trust him."
"If you accepted the position within the corporation, you'd get insight into his day-to-day. You'd see for yourself if he can be trusted."
"I'm tired of secrets."
"So you don't care if Peter's theory is correct about more Morgans?"
"I haven't thought about it."
A smile grew on her face as he entered the parking lot. The waterfront restaurant had a valet that guarded the lot. An assassin would have to be on a ship or stop the car on the highway. He assessed the entire place.
The cars in the lot were Maseratis and Aston Martins with a few BMWs and Mercedes Benz. The Miami well-to-do were here. Near the water if they sat by the wall, they'd see through the screen all the people on their yachts as they passed. The ten-foot walk from the lot to the restaurant was the hard part.
His stomach clenched, but he tried to ignore it. His brother's words that there were more Morgans out there replayed in his mind as he stepped out of the car and the implication that he didn't care about his family rang in his ears.
Nothing stirred in the air. If they could walk fast the few feet to the door with the pressing humidity, his heart might calm down. As the valet opened her door, Alice stepped out of the car. Sweat had formed on his forehead. She said, "Relax."
He swallowed and gazed one more time at the valet as he came to the driver's side. Then he stepped out and visions of a crime scene he had once seen at a restaurant flashed in his head. "I'll try, but we probably should have gone home."
Without a word she walked toward the restaurant door, and he shadowed behind her. As the doors opened, she turned around and waited for him. "I can't live my life worried about who is out to get me. Besides, you are overreacting. It was probably someone after the President."
He crossed his arms. She needed to take this seriously, even if his boss hadn't updated him. Tonight he'd send an email, but he let the thoughts go. "Alice, I'm not."
She turned and walked toward the maître de. He stayed right on her heels.
"I think you are the target. We're here because you wanted to unwind after today, and I promised."
She winked at him and said, "Get the frown off your face, then, and remember we're following my plans for some fun tonight. You need to relax."
He shook his head, in no mood for levity. "We always follow your plans."
She raised her eyebrows at him. "This is a special place foryou? Did your family take you here?"
She only knew the high school football player and the FBI part of him. Perhaps he should take a job at Morgan Enterprises and be a Morgan. The thought left him speechless and he let out his breath. "I heard a few political and business speeches here."
The air around her smelled like strawberries. The hair on his arms rose. At first she said nothing. He held his silence. Then she tilted her head. "So this place holds noromantichistory for you."
He laughed in surprise. "No."
She stayed close. "I remember you dated Cindy in high school."
