The Atlantis Stone

CHAPTER 21

Elizabeth's phone signaled. She looked at the caller ID. It was Clarence Hood.

Clarence. I hope this isn't some new emergency.

The Director of the CIA and Elizabeth had become friends. They didn't always agree, but they worked well together. Both were realists about the threats facing the country. Both were dedicated to neutralizing those threats before they became reality.

"Hello, Clarence."

"Elizabeth. Have I caught you at a bad time?"

"Not at all. I was about to leave early for a change. For once, it's a slow day."

"Slow days worry me."

"I know what you mean. When it's slow, it means the bad guys are planning something."

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me this evening?"

"I'd love to."

"How about Japanese food? There's an excellent restaurant over on MacArthur Boulevard."

"The one with the fixed menu?"

"That's the one."

"I know it. They have wonderful sushi."

"Seven o'clock?" Hood said. "I'll make reservations and meet you there. There's a back room where we can have privacy, away from the public."

Both had security issues to consider. A private room was always preferable for outings in public.

"It's a date."

"Good. I'll see you then."

Hood hung up.

A date, she thought. Is that what it is? Come on, it's only a figure of speech.

Her mood lifted. Before the call, the only thing she'd had to look forward to was an empty brownstone and another evening of reading reports. Dinner out was a welcome change.

A little before seven she parked and went inside the restaurant. The main room was laid out as a long, narrow rectangle. Low tables lined one wall, with square cushions on the floor for seating. A sushi bar with a dozen stools took up the other side of the room. A hanging red curtain led to the back. The decor was simple, accented with polished cherry wood and discrete lighting. Everything was obsessively clean.

A polite Japanese man escorted her back to the private room. Hood was already seated. He rose when she came in. He wore a lightweight tailored gray suit and a blue and white tie.

"You're looking nice this evening, Elizabeth."

She was wearing her usual black and white outfit, nothing Hood hadn't seen before. She took the complement for what it was.

"Thanks. This is a wonderful idea. I'm glad you called."

They sat across from each other.

A waiter appeared and Hood ordered sake for both of them. There was no need to order food. The menu was Omakase. Everything would be brought one course at a time, without any say in what would be served.

When the waiter had gone, Hood took a small electronic device from his pocket, set it on the table and turned it on. It made it impossible for anyone to listen in on their conversation.

"Just a precaution," he said.

"It's a habit," Elizabeth said. "I do the same thing in public."

Hood filled her cup and then his own. "We have a lot in common, don't we?"

Elizabeth sipped. It was good sake, cloudy, unfiltered.

"Our jobs overlap quite a bit."

Hood toyed with his cup. "I was thinking of more than our work. We enjoy similar things. Take Japanese food, for example. Not everyone appreciates sushi."

Elizabeth raised her cup, enjoying herself.

"Or sake."

"Or sake," Hood said. He lifted his cup and emptied it.

When they came out of the restaurant two hours later they were both high on the rice wine.

Hood's driver held the door open for him.

"That was fun," she said. "I really enjoyed myself."

"So did I." Hood stood next to her. "Elizabeth…"

"Yes?"

Hood reached down and touched her face. Then he leaned close and kissed her.

Elizabeth was shocked. She hadn't expected him to do that. It put her at a loss for words. Instead of speaking, she kissed him back.

Hood stepped away. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that."

"Oh, Clarence, don't be so old-fashioned. You don't have to apologize."

"I could blame it on the sake, but that's got nothing to do with it. I find you very attractive. I thought that kind of thing was over for me. I guess I was wrong."

"That kind of thing?"

"Being attracted to someone. As I am to you."

Standing in the warm Washington evening and listening to Hood's soft, Southern accent, Elizabeth felt something shift inside. It had been a long time since someone wanted to get close. The kiss had cracked open a door she'd closed long ago.

She looked at him with a new eye. Hood wasn't a bad looking man. He was in his 60s but he'd held up pretty well. He was taller than she was, but then almost everyone was. His hair had turned full gray and was perfectly cut. He wasn't wearing any jewelry except a gold watch, not even a class ring. She liked that in a man.

"I like you too, Clarence."

"I can settle for that." He smiled at her. "Let's do this again."

"Call me."

She touched him on the arm and got into her car. Hood watched her drive away.

Down the street a man with a camera got into his car.