We poured more wine and went into the kitchen to see how the food was going. Getting the meal prepared nicely and ready on the table might buy us back...a few brownie points. We got the salad ready and got everything ready to serve up the meal. The pasta bake was ready to serve and keeping warm in the oven.The table was laid out and we put on easy jazz for background music. I even found some candles in a cupboard to add to the atmosphere.A short while later, Kat and Maggie came back into the. ”“And you, Grey?”“I can swim back, Sir. The Marines can cover me.”“I see. Perhaps that’s not entirely harebrained. Well, get ready then! Where’s the girl?”“I’m here, Sir,” a small voice sounded from behind them.Benning turned and gave the girl an encouraging smile. “Can you find out what he wants?”The girl shrugged. “Me.”“Talk to him anyway. Keep him talking too. If we want to save your mother, we need some time.”“He’ll kill her,” she said sadly.“Not if everything goes according to plan. Gun. " He grinned at my discomfort so I rolled my eyes at him.By the time the waiter arrived, we were not only ready to order drinks, we ordered our salads and main courses. He took our order and disappeared into the back. I might have to take some notes. I loved Karen and all, but the wait staff at the Lodge might take some pointers from the crew here."Spill," I told Zach after our wine had been brought out."I was able to find out a few things from various people I know. Doc Mathews is keeping his. A uniformed chauffeur lifts his cap. "I have instructions to bring you to the airport, ma'am. And I have been told you will not bring any luggage." You blush, you feel like an idiot. I need to think, you tell yourself. Concentrate. Passport. Money. Ticket. Why don't I get to say goodbye to David? Of course I don't. If your previous trip confused you, this is worse. "Work side by side". It seems as if this sentence is in huge neon letters on every wall, around every corner. Everywhere. You.