He wants the USB? How the hell... Luke sighed, and turned his head. Why should I be surprised?

The restaurant, like everything else in that area, was tastefully hidden among the greenery, set back away from the road. The parking lot was the only real indication it was a place of business at all.

“How the hell do you find anything out here?” William looked around, his lip curling in dissatisfaction. “All I see are plants; it’s like some...” he searched for a comparison, “like elves trying to go commercial.” He was obviously not satisfied with that analogy but Dani nodded solemnly, as if she agreed.

Luke said nothing. He was still looking out the window, trying to pretend this entire nightmare wasn’t happening. Not only did he not get time alone with Dani, despite the five-dollar investment, but to have his father suddenly show up, now of all times, was...

Is there a word to suggest you’re disappointed that someone isn’t dead? Is there a word stronger than “hate”?

Problem was, Luke didn’t hate his father, not anymore. There was a time  when hate would have been the perfect description, but that was years ago. It was also the last time he’d shown up in Luke’s life.

They piled out of the limo onto the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Dani chatted with Elaina, her hand on her arm. Making sure she was okay, Luke realized. His mother had no idea about the USB stick, yet she hadn’t said anything. Just pretended to disappear inside the limo, like he pretty much had. Why did it surprise him that his pretend fiancée could be sensitive like that? Of course, she would have realized that going out to dinner with your ex-husband might be a stressful event. Something that maybe her son should have realized.

Not liking himself very much right now, Luke didn’t wait for the driver. He got out on the driver’s side and left the door open. It was petty, making the driver go around just to spite the man’s employer, but Luke wasn’t feeling particularly generous right now.

“They’re closed,” Edwin announced, pointing to the sign on the door. William’s driver excused himself as he snuck between them. He knocked once and waved to someone inside. The door unlocked and a gentleman in black pants, white shirt, bow tie, and a crisp clean apron opened the door. He bowed low and swept his arm out in a flourish.

“Ladies,” he said in a rumbling basso voice, “gentlemen, please enter. Your table’s prepared.”

Of course, it is.

Why his father couldn’t do anything, well, normal was beyond him. Even celebrities ate in restaurants without closing them to the public first. This was just for show. The question was, who was his father trying to impress? Him? His ex-wife? Whoever he thought had that damn USB stick?

Luke saw Dani look up at him, but he could only shrug. What was there to say? This was his father’s show, and whatever he’d arranged they were going to have to see it through.

As they filed into the restaurant only William looked at ease, though Elaina did roll her eyes from time to time at the ostentatiousness of the place. It was, in essence, a steak house. It was a decent place, but the kind frequented by average nine-to-five workers looking for a nice meal out.

Under William’s influence, it became a palace. The rows and rows of tables had been stripped and pushed back to the sides of the room, entirely out of the way. Only one long table with six places lay within the circle of the heart of the dining area. This was in the middle of the restaurant, in space you had to step down two steps to get to, under a buffalo head and several pieces of what someone considered Texas memorabilia, though what washboards and spittoons had to do with steak, Luke couldn’t guess. The table was draped with a cloth so smooth and soft, it had to be an expensive linen. Even Dani, whose childhood had been spent in the lap of luxury, was impressed. Luke could see it in her expression and in the way she stroked the cloth. For a moment his heart stopped, and he found himself wanting to buy her every fine fabric in the world, just to create that look of soft bliss upon her face. He resolved then and there to make some calls when this was over. To treat her to cashmere and silk.

The group stood uncertainly around the table, exchanging comments in low murmurs. The place settings were a showpiece from a Thanksgiving photo spread. This was the sort of china that might induce a person to buy a house, just to have a decent place to show off the plates. It was probably some sort of special make, but Luke wasn’t familiar enough with the different types to judge it. The plates seemed thin, and held no pattern save a band of gold around the edges. He had no doubt that gold was real. Knowing his father, it was easy to take that leap in logic and assume that the plates cost more than the steak the restaurant would normally serve upon it.

The goblets were crystal, the napkins too luxurious to use, and the cutlery was probably real silver. It was just his father’s way. The whole experience was surreal, and Luke had to look around to make sure they were still in the steakhouse. Sure enough, crossed branding irons graced the wall over the booths, and cheerful signs about not shooting the bartender proclaimed that, indeed, they were still in someone’s idea of the Old West. Looking between broken saddles and a table set for royalty was like walking into an empty warehouse and finding Versailles.

William, ever the expansive host, entreated his guests to sit. He took the chair on the end, the head of the table. Edwin held a chair for Elaina and sat beside her; Luke did the same with Dani, though he disliked leaving her at his father’s left, though Luke supposed that having that much distance between himself and the old man was probably safest for all involved. This left Marcus to sit at the foot of the table.

“I wasn’t sure if your man was going to join us or stand guard,” William admitted, flashing a winning smile at Marcus. “I see I picked the correct one.”

“Marcus is...” Edwin said slowly, “... not exactly in my employ at the moment. My funds are somewhat insolvent until certain other matters are resolved. He’s here in his own capacity in the meantime.”

Dani glanced at Marcus, her eyebrows raised. “Friendship is important, too,” she said, and bestowed a bright smile on the former guard.

Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, as if he would have been more comfortable standing guard after all. Knowing what he did about the man, even if they hadn’t truly had a real conversation, Luke didn’t doubt it was true. Hell, even he would prefer guard duty to eating with the old man.

“It doesn’t change the essence of what I do,” Marcus said finally, opening his napkin and placing it on his lap. “I am still here to assure Mr. Rhinehart is able to complete his business.”

“Ah yes.” William smiled and nodded. “Business. His... business, and that is what we need to discuss, is it not? Mr. Rhinehart’s business? Who runs Markland Enterprises? You’ve stepped down, your son and presumptive heir is currently... undergoing treatment, and your biggest investor seems to have fallen to his death from a helicopter while eluding police. That can’t be easy on a company.”

“We’re...” Edwin took a deep breath, his eyes hard. Calculating. His hands clenched and unclenched. Luke reflected how it was a wonder anyone had entrusted Edwin with a steak knife. “... restructuring.”

“I imagi—”

“William!” Elaina hissed.

“I do beg your pardon if I caused offense, Edwin. May I call you Edwin? Please, you must call me William; we can’t afford formalities. We’re very nearly family now.”

“Dad, what the hell kind of game is this?” Luke growled. Dani put a restraining hand on his arm. It was so like the one his mother had on his father’s arm that Luke swallowed the rest of his retort.

“No game!” William insisted, and three waiters and two waitresses appeared with trays bearing dome-covered plates. The plates were placed on the plates already on the table, turning the fine china into overpriced chargers as wine was served to each member of the party.

Then, as quickly as the servers had arrived they vanished again, disappearing through the swinging door into the kitchen as noiselessly as they had appeared. It was eerie. If it hadn’t been for the smell of something absolutely mouthwatering wafting from under the lid over his plate, Luke might have thought the whole thing was some strange illusion.

William cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself. Rising, he raised his glass, the ebullient host. Luke had the image of a ringmaster at a circus, and almost looked up to see if there were acrobats concealed in the antler chandeliers. “I do hope I was able to choose correctly; if not, I’m fairly confident that you will, at least, enjoy what I have set before you.”

The diners regarded each other with wary eyes. Dinner smelled delicious, but the aromas seemed to be in conflict and it was hard to pin down exactly which smell was which. Luke’s stomach rumbled, breaking the tension, Edwin not even bothering to muffle his chuckle, though Dani made a valiant effort which she covered by faking a cough and grabbing for her water glass.

Her water glass. The only glass at her place setting. Luke did a quick assessment of the table. Every place had wine except hers.

Frowning, feeling ill at ease though not entirely sure why, Luke put his hand on the cover, noting that the others were watching him carefully, waiting for him to take the lead. With a slight shake of his head, he pulled the dome off, only just resisting the urge to act the part of the magician doing the reveal, and exposed a large steak, cooked rare, with horseradish sauce, fried potatoes, and corn on the side. The whole meal was perfection down to the tiniest detail—the single sprig of parsley that he’d always favored as a child because he’d thought it had looked elegant on the plate. He flushed now, wanting to be angry that such a thing would be remembered by anyone at all, and he stared a long time at his plate, reminding himself that it was no great trick to remember parsley, when he’d certainly made enough fuss about it back when he was nine. Besides, it looked delicious.

Dani lifted her own cover and gasped. Luke turned his head to regard her plate with a raised eyebrow. Braised tuna, dill sauce, vegetable mix, and brown rice. Certainly not what he would have expected in a steak house, but something that seemed to delight her all the same.

“This is my favorite,” she said quietly, staring at the meal. Her hand trembled slightly on the cover which she set down hastily next to her plate.

Edwin revealed a veal culet over thin pasta and tomato sauce, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Luke couldn’t see what Elaina had, probably the salmon she ordered whenever he took her out to eat when he visited.

William had chosen a scampi and oyster mix. By this time, all eyes were on the one plate that was still hidden.

Marcus sat still, his gaze fixed on William.

“Please,” William said, his smile seeming more smug than anything right now. The grand master, relishing the audience’s reaction. “Enjoy.”

Marcus lifted the lid, revealing a mixture that made Luke’s eyes water.

“What is that?” Edwin demanded, his face a crumpled mask of disgust.

“Kimchi,” Marcus said simply. “Kind of like a Korean coleslaw.”

“It looks like something that went through a rabbit.” Edwin blinked and turned away from his man. Luke watched Marcus, and realized that for the first time in days Marcus was on duty again. He would sit in that chair unmoving, or dive across the table to kill whoever was a threat. How he knew, he couldn’t say. Just that there was something different to how he sat. Or maybe in how he looked at William. And then at Edwin and Dani.

Who is he really protecting?

“Eat,” Luke suggested, finally raising his own fork and knife, prepared to dive into the meal even if no one else was. “Keep your strength up.” Perhaps his words were directed more at himself than anyone else.

Marcus gave him a very long and calculating look. He nodded once and reached for a fork without ever taking his eyes off William.

William smiled and nodded.

“Enjoy,” he said, settling back in his chair, the benevolent host.

The greatest show on earth.

Almost like a movie.

“So, tell me,” Luke said, cutting into his steak. “You’ve brought us here to show us your unlimited wealth, your ability to take over, and that you know all of us so well that you’ve prepared our favorite dishes, no matter how exotic.” He cocked an eyebrow at the partially fermented cabbage on Marcus’ plate.

“Blunt, rude, and accurate, my boy.” It was said with more emotion than was necessary. Expansive. Overacting the part.

Luke let it go. He took a deep breath and continued at a slower pace. Pausing long enough to savor that first bite, though he had half-decided that he couldn’t be bought off so easily as all that. Besides, why punish a perfectly good steak for the sins of the asshole serving it up for dinner? “You said something about a USB stick. Let’s assume for a moment that I have a single clue what you’re talking about, and we could further stretch the imagination to assume I cared. What would your interest be in something like that?”

“Straight to business, eh? There is a great deal to be said for focus; it’s an admirable quality to be sure. Still, as you grow older, you often find that business can be done just as quickly and as equitably when accompanied with fine wine, good food, and the pleasure of certain company. For example, how long has it been since we’ve seen each other? I would think it was when you joined the FBI, wasn’t it?”

Luke stared at his father, laying his fork down on the side of the plate with exaggerated care. “You weren’t there for that,” he said after a long moment. “Mom showed up for the graduation, not you.”

William smiled. Was he mocking him with that smile? Being snide? On anyone else, it would have seemed almost a sad smile, but that wasn’t who his father was. “Of course,” William said quietly, “I’d forgotten...”

“Luke,” his mother admonished, setting down her own fork, and turned on him, “you should apologize...”

“Never mind, Elaina,” William said, putting his hand upon his ex-wife’s arm to still her protests. “The boy has a right to be bitter. Let him vent.”

“I’m not a boy,” Luke said flatly. He could feel Dani’s hand on his thigh. Whereas William used the touch to squelch his mother’s words, Dani was offering support and strength. He felt her love for him in that gentle pressure, in the warmth upon his leg. For a second he closed his eyes, savoring it so that he might gather himself to go into the fray again.

“No?” William laughed. “When did that happen? You must remember that, to a parent, his boy will always be the hellion in the tree with skinned knees and filled with wonder at the shape of snakes and grasshoppers. You can never grow up, my son, because that memory is as alive as you are.”

Luke patted his mouth with the napkin and dropped it onto the half-eaten steak. “Very pretty. I assume that the child you refer to was in all the photos Mom sent you? You show up now, and after all this time, what is it you want? The stick. And you have the balls to use paternal love to get it?”

“Not at all!” William shook his head, effectively closing the subject as he attended to his own dinner, taking a large bite of seafood and closing his eyes to relish the flavors. It disgusted Luke, listening to his father make those little sounds of contentment as he ate. He washed it down with a hearty gulp of wine and sighed. Luke began to seethe, sensing that the conversation was over. Unresolved, but concluded, like so many conversations with his father.

“Tell me what you want with the stick, Father.” So, maybe the last word was sneered a little bit. Luke hated that he was having to prod his father back into the conversation, trying to force his hand the way William had been trying to force his. It put Luke on the same level as his father, and that was unacceptable.

“What do I want with it? Why, the same thing you do, of course.”

“You want to give it to the authorities?” Edwin piped up, giving Luke a look that clearly said he wasn’t entirely in agreement with this plan put forth by his future son-in-law.

“In a way...” William said, repeating the ritual with the next bite of food. “This is incredible. I’m sorry your appetite seems to have fled you, son, but this is wonderful. You really ought to try it.” He held out his fork to Luke, who looked at the offered shrimp in disgust and crossed his arms, making no move to take it.

“In what way?” Edwin pressed.

William shrugged and ate the shrimp himself, following with another lingering drink. “Tell me,” he said, setting down his glass and regarding Edwin with sudden interest. “You said ‘to the authorities’.” He waited for Edwin to nod. “What’s his name?”

Edwin looked to the other diners, but each one returned his blank stare. Luke took a deep breath. This was the way his father had always been: all flash and distraction, and then asking probing questions to make you look the fool.

“I don’t understand,” Edwin confessed after a minute, shooting Dani a glance that didn’t bode well for either of them later. Edwin hated being made to look a fool. Luke remembered that being very clearly stated in his research before taking this particular case.

“Say you had it, right now. Who would you give it to? Who would be the beneficiary of your magnificence? The president? A difficult man to see, on or off the golf course. As I understand, the information contains evidence of misconduct in several countries. Do you petition to see the queen? What about one of her ministers? A senator? One who’s complicit? Or one who needs a political edge over a rival who might be on there? To whom do you give it?”

Edwin looked down at his plate in confusion.

“How about the FBI?” Dani spoke up for the first time.

“Excellent!” William cried. “My boy, you really have made a great choice. There is nothing like loyalty and honor. A spouse who will always choose the side you’re on, even if she doesn’t particularly believe it. Truly, that is the only sort of companion that matters!” He reached over and grasped Elaina’s hand for a moment before letting go.

Edwin bristled. Elaina snorted, and drank long and deep from her own wine glass.

Dani looked at Luke in confusion.

“Ray,” Luke said after a minute, as it was the only answer left to offer, even though there wasn’t a person at the table who would trust him enough to give it to him. In truth, Luke had been worrying at this problem on the entire drive in, and had rather been hoping something better would come to him when the time came.

“Ray,” William agreed, nodding his head, his expression serious. “Ironically, he had the option of taking it, didn’t he? He could have destroyed the thing then and there, but he was so fixated on the guest list, the possibility of bringing in the largest haul of gangsters and killers and bad drivers the state had ever seen. It would have covered his tracks, but that damn stick could put him securely under a federal penitentiary for years. Locked up with the population he put there.”

But that wasn’t the case at all. Meaning William didn’t know everything. Luke filed that tidbit away for future reference.

“How do you know all this?” Dani turned to him, her meal forgotten.

“Because,” Marcus said flatly, “he is ‘the authorities’.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” William smiled and raised his glass. A man appeared from the shadows and refilled it, but William never broke his gaze from Marcus.

“One of us would have remembered,” Marcus said, his tone agreeable. His eyes cold and dead.

“To be sure.” William sat back and regarded his son. “It would be best if I were to obtain the stick.” He smiled at his guests, the beneficent dictator allowing the masses to draw near. “Should the stick miraculously survive the ‘proper channels’, and somehow it managed to be transferred up the line from supervisor to manager, from one department to another without becoming lost or destroyed, it would eventually and inevitably arrive to its final destination.” William took a delicate sip of the wine. “My desk.”

“Who are you?” Edwin exploded, leaping to his feet, and reaching for...something that Marcus stopped him from reaching. Dani’s eyes were wide, and she eased her chair back just enough to move quickly to her feet should she need to. Combat-ready, even here.

Luke had never been prouder.

Or more frightened that something would go terribly wrong and he would lose her. Just how many more people did William have in the shadows? People who wouldn’t be content to just stand back and refill wineglasses?

Edwin seemed to come to that conclusion as well, sinking back into his chair with the look of a man who wasn’t going to be forgetting any of this.

“Who am I? I just told you.” William beamed like a child who’d discovered where his mother hid the Christmas presents. “I am where the buck stops.” He looked from guest to guest. His face fell when he looked at Marcus. “Oh dear, was my information incorrect? I was under the impression that Kimchi was your favorite food! You haven’t touched it.”

“I once told someone that I loved Kimchi,” Marcus said quietly, replacing the dome on his plate. “I’d never tried it. I was simply trying to impress a young woman in the hopes of a late-night tryst.” He folded his hands, placing them on his belly, indolent and contemptuous enough of his host to not play his games. He looked long and hard at William. “How long have you been building up for this?”

Luke could feel his eyes widening. His father’s constant jovial mood was gone, vanished like so much mist. The look he gave Marcus was the look of a magician whose greatest trick had been exposed. Marcus had pulled the curtain back on the Wizard of Oz.

“My mistake,” William said flatly.