Mark turned to Gunter. I plan to attend most of the sessions, see what grabs me. Will you be there?
Ja, but of course. Its not every day one of these things comes to your doorstep. You are covering this for a newspaper?
Magazine. Spectra.
Hannah knew of it. High profile. Nice gig.
Not bad. Now that you mention it, you had a pretty good one yourself.
What do you mean?
I realized, after I met you yesterday, youre Mac McGuires daughter.
Hannah tensed. She felt instantly cornered, always did when anything about her past sneaked into the present shed so carefully carved out for herself and Danny.
Yes. Mac was my dad. She forked a piece of lettuce from her Caesar salad but couldnt find the impetus to bring it to her mouth.
You were following in his footsteps for a while there, McGuire. One of the best. They were even calling you Mac, Jr.
You been checking up on me?
Mark laughed. Macs a legend in media circles. So whyd you quit? What brought you here? To this media backwater. The words hung unsaid.
She forced a smile. I needed a change. And I like the skiing.
Mark raised his brows, studying her. She had an uneasy feeling about him. Like he could see into her, like he knew something. She forced the lettuce into her mouth.
Al was watching her, too. Shed never spoken to him about Mac. But she figured he knew she was the daughter of the famous Canadian international correspondent. She loved Al for the fact that he never pried, that he sensed her need to put the past away. That he just let her be while the scabs of her wound grew strong.
She saw Gunter Schmidt studying her, too, as if the fact she was Macs daughter suddenly meant she had to be judged by new standards. But the plastic surgeon made no comment. He pushed his empty plate to one side. Well, that was good. Gunter dabbed the corners of his mouth neatly with his napkin. But my patients, they are waiting. He called for the check.
Rex watched as the man with gray-flecked hair called for the bill.
So, Hannah knew Ken Mitchell. No matter how he looked at it, he was not going to be able to avoid her. She was working her way into his investigation. Hed need to ask her about Mitchell. And the other man, the one tugging at his memory.
He watched them stand, say their goodbyes. Hannah shook Mitchells hand. She looked unhappy. It tore at him.
Do you remember me, Hannah McGuire? Do you hate me? What is making you sad, my lovely? God he wanted to ask her those questions. Hed have to shelve those for another life. Right now he needed to ask her about Mitchell. But how to approach her after all these years? For the first time in his adult life, Rex Logan felt lost. Helpless. He hadnt planned for this. The cold, calculating, fearless agent was not only lost, he was afraid. But with the anxiety that sloshed in his belly was a sharp little zing. A spike of adrenaline. Unwanted, but there. It hummed through him at the thought of coming face-to-face with Hannah McGuire, hearing the smokiness of her voice, seeing those tiny forest-green flecks in her gold leonine eyes.
But not now. Not yet. He wasnt ready. Right now hed tail Mitchell. He watched them make for the exit, giving them time.
Mark Bamfield held out his hand. Good to meet you, Al, Gunter. Thanks for inviting me to join you.
He turned to Hannah and took her hand in his. Nice to see you again, Hannah. Maybe dinner sometime?
She just nodded and watched him go. Hed left her unsettled, off-kilter.
You okay, Hannah?
Yeah, Gunter. Just tired. Thanks for lunch.
Anytime. You look after Al now, ja?
Ja, Ja. Al jokingly waved his friend off, mimicking his raspy German accent. You go back to your filthy-rich patients. I can take care of myself.
Hannah affectionately took Al by the arm as they made their way down the pedestrian
walkway back to the office. Sometimes she felt he was the father she never really had. So you can look after yourself, huh?
Damn right. Just need a little time. To find out what really happened to Amy. The words went unsaid. Hannah knew Al wouldnt heal until he had the answer.
The sun was warm on their backs as they strolled through the summer crowds. Much warmer than an hour ago when Hannah had needed the extra comfort of her sweater. She realized suddenly it was missing.
Oh, Al, my sweater. I must have left it at the restaurant. You go on ahead. Ill see you back at the office.
No, no. Ill come with you. Too nice out. Any excuse to extend my break is welcome. He fell in step with her as she headed quickly back to the Black Diamond.
Al waited at the restaurant entrance as Hannah stepped up onto the patio and made her way back to the table. They had been gone only minutes. Her sweater was still draped over the back of the chair.
She gathered it up, turned to head out.
Then froze.
He stood in shadow at the far end of the patio.
He was looking directly at her.
The world around her faded away. Hannah reached absently for the back of a chair as her vision narrowed. She needed to steady herself. Her chest was like a vise. She couldnt breathe.