The fourth, place setting, sent a cold chill up Hutch's spine. The secluded section, the VIP treatment, the helicopter landing on the west building's roof, were too much of a coincidence for Hutch to ignore. For what other purpose could there be, than the arrival of Casimir Salvador himself, coming to join them.
Hutch's mind was racing. This had all been an elaborate trap from the start, just as Ren had predicted. The moment he signed his real name to that log sheet, this moment had been set into motion. But he also knew that Salvador had to been informed that he hadn't arrived alone, which made this situation even more confusing. For even if they corroborated each other's stories, it was asinine to expose themselves in such a setting, especially given that Salvador would have no knowledge of the people he was with or what their reactions to the truth might be. As separated as they were visually from the other guests in the restaurant, one could still, with ease, make a scene. Such a thing would be too risky, and Casimir had proven time and again that he would not be so foolish.
Yet, even knowing Salvador as he did, Hutch's mind was addled. He couldn't think clear or stay focused, until his mind settled on the possibility that this lunch was a test. Casimir had done similar things in the past to test his general's intuition and their cognitive abilities outside of battle. Hutch had put himself in this position after all, perhaps this was a way to see how he'd get himself out of it. Perhaps, Salvador was simply toying with him, and this was nothing but a bluff.
A harsh jab at his side, brought Hutch out his daze.
"What was that for?" Hutch questioned Ren, a touch harshly, as he rubbed at his side.
"What do you mean, what was that for? You drifted off into outer space. Grandpa asked you what you were getting."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just got lost in thought. I think there's been some sort of mistake with all of this."
"Nonsense," Mr. Dodge remarked, wearing a gentle smile. "Can't you see that this is what Clara was up to when she left us on the observation deck? She is clearly a very clever young woman. Seeing your obvious dislike of heights, she came down here to ensure that we'd be sat somewhere that would give you a chance to relax, so we can all enjoy our lunch."
"Enjoy?" Ren scoffed. "There are no prices on the menu. How is anyone supposed to enjoy a meal if they don't know how much it's going to cost?" he questioned as he stared at the embossed pages of the menu in the heavy, black leather cover; wine, beer, and drinks listed on the left, Appetizers, starters, entrées, and desserts on the right.
Enzo had already filled their water glasses and left them to look over the menus while Hutch's mind was so far elsewhere, he hadn't even noticed.
"You heard Valerie, all of this has been taken care of. I'm betting this menu is only given to people with the vouchers. That's why they were already set out, specifically for us. Hence, no pricing needed. We should pick an appetizer to share, and then one thing from each of the other categories. It probably costs them next to nothing to let us experience what it is like to eat here, and if we enjoy it enough, they know we're more apt to return for their dinner service which is probably three or four times the price of lunch. This really is an excellent marketing strategy, albeit a bit on the sneaky side."
"And what about the fourth spot?" Hutch asked him, pointing to the empty place setting next to him, hoping that Mr. Dodge had a plausible reason for that as well.
Mr. Dodge chuckled. "Oh Hutch, my boy, you always did like to over think things. Didn't you notice the tables on the way in? They were all set a similar way, and four is a common number of guests to sit at a table. Even though they knew we were coming down, this table was probably already set up. It's also just as reasonable to think that Clara might be joining us. Although, since Enzo didn't fill the fourth glass, he'll most likely send a busser to come clear it away after he takes our order. So then, what will you be having?"
Mr. Dodge had been right, and more observant than he'd been. If he wasn't stuck in a seventeen-year-old body with the attention span of a fruit fly, he would have been able to keep a calmer head and thought everything out with a modicum of rationality. But all he had really wanted to do for the better part of an hour, was take the stairs down to the gym and start running laps until he wore himself into a coma.
Clara had reminded him of Kahlala. The color of her dress was so close to his xalgar's hair, and he hadn't been able to think of much else since. Kahlala would have enjoyed every minute of that view, because she was fearless when it came to heights. And she would have convinced him to enjoy it as well. She had a way of pushing his fears aside that he had never quite mastered on his own. If she was there, with them, at that table, thinking the same things as him, he knew, that she would also convince him to stay and to look at things more logically.
Even if Salvador did join them for lunch, what was the worst thing he could reasonably do in that setting? If he began to talk about Illimev or the time they spent together or even how they first met, Hutch could simply play stupid, and pretend as if he didn't know what was going on. He looked seventeen after all. It would only make Salvador look crazy, and there was no way he hadn't come to the same conclusion. This had to be a bluff, or it was as Mr. Dodge had suggested.
"You're probably right," Hutch concluded, before looking down at the menu. "I think I'll end up having whatever is easiest to pronounce."
"Car-bon-nad-es à la flambe," Ren stumbled thorough the pronunciation.
"Flamande," Mr. Dodge corrected him. "No one in their right mind would set fire to a good piece of beef."
"Right this way," Enzo said, reappearing at the entrance to the room, bowing his head and motioning to their table.
Lowering their menus, Hutch shared a glance with Ren and Mr. Dodge, each seemingly as uncertain of what was happening as he was, when an athletic looking man, dressed in a tailored black business suit, stepped into the room.
The man was a coiled snake in human form, ready to strike. His dark features, short, trimmed hair, and cold stare gave off an uneasy air, and he said nothing as his eyes never stopped moving, scanning every inch of the area before landing on Hutch. Catching his eyes with his own, he stared into him as if searching the depths of his soul, before breaking contact and moving on to Ren, and then Mr. Dodge. Each interaction was no more than three seconds, yet, felt like an eternity. Only a fool or lunatic, would risk a confrontation with such an individual. Hutch had seen plenty of men like him on Illimev, serving in the King's army, or locked away in the dungeons. Even on his best day, at the peak of his abilities, this man wasn't one he would have gone after alone. That man was a killer, the air had turned fridged just by the nature of his being, and Hutch could now see he was trapped.
"Thank you, Rod," a woman spoke up from behind him.
"Ma'am," he replied, stepping back into the hallway, taking up a position at the entry way.
The woman was an hourglass, framed with golden waves and made of porcelain. Her voice was a honey-sweet melody, and her eyes were the deep blue of the sea. She was narrow and delicate, her presence exuding elegance and grace. She wore a flattering green dress and was decorated with hints of emerald and gold.
"I ask that you pardon my intrusion," she said, hand over heart, head gently bowed.
"Of… of course," Mr. Dodge replied, clearly taken-aback by her arrival.
Ren and Hutch were fairing no better either, each at a loss for words and confused as to who she was, what she wanted, or why she was there.
"I thank you," she replied, lowering her hand. "That brings me such relief. I'm glad I made it here on time though. I would have felt horrible if I had interrupted your lunch."
"Well, I'm terribly sorry Miss, but I think there has been some sort of mistake," Mr. Dodge said as he set his menu on the table. "We weren't expecting anyone else to be joining us."
"Oh, dear. I promise you, there has been no mistake," she replied to him, her smile brightening the room as she turned to look at Ren and Hutch. "I'm here because of one of them. Now, which one of you is Jules Hutchinson?"