Arley Eisenstein greeted Margo warmly, welcoming her to TT-86, then recommended the House Special. “Its a new recipe, Egyptian, wonderful. You’re my guinea pigs.”
Kit smiled. “I’m game. Margo?”
With a combative look in her eye, Margo said, “Anything he’s having, I’ll have.”
”Anything?” Arley said with an up tilted eyebrow.
”Anything.”
Arley rubbed his palms together in gleeful anticipation. “Oh, good. This ought to be fun. I’ll tell Jacque to get started. Is anyone else joining you?”
”Just Sven, far as I know, but I don’t mind company if somebody wants a chair.”
”Good, good. The more the merrier,” Arley laughed. “Wine? Appetizers?”
Kit glanced at Margo, who was clearly tired but still on edge. “Is this Special of yours poultry, fish, pork, or beef? Or something else altogether?”
Arley winked. “Seafood. Mostly.”
”All right, why don’t we start with a half-carafe of Piesporter Michelsburg and some fresh fruit and bread and I’ll let you choose the wine for the main course?”
Arley flashed a delighted smile. “Mead. Egyptian mead. I’ll send Julie out with the appetizers,” Arley promised. He smiled warmly again at Margo, then threaded his way through the Delight, pausing now and again to speak with other clients. Sven Bailey arrived.
”So this is the one, huh?” he said without preamble. His long, shuttered stare brought an uncomfortable flood of color to Margo’s cheeks-and a glitter of irritation to her eyes.
”I’m the one what?” she asked coldly.
Sven just grunted and ignored her. He plopped into a chair. “You’re sure about this?”