“New Jersey, formerly of New York. You?”

“Oh, I’m a Manhattanite, born and bred,” she replied, smiling. Great teeth, or maybe just a great dentist.

“Will you have some dinner with me?” he asked, offering her the menu.

She accepted it and glanced through it. “I just want a steak,” she said.

“I was thinking the same.” The waiter came and they both ordered the New York strip, medium rare, and Ryan ordered a bottle of Cabernet. She declined a drink, and he poured her a glass of wine. “So what brought you to Miami?”

“A trade show. I’m a handbag designer. I specialize in alligator,” she said, holding up her own bag.

“That’s very beautiful. Did your show go well?”

“Very well—my order book is full.”

“Tell me, what does an alligator bag go for on Madison Avenue?”

“They start at fifteen thousand. This one is forty-two five, at Bergdorf’s.”

“Wow, you can get a decent car for that kind of money.”

“You can get a very decent handbag, too.”

“And how many do you sell every year?”

“This year, I expect to ship about four hundred.”

Ryan’s math failed him. He wanted to get out his iPhone and use the calculator but restrained himself.

They had a good dinner, and Ryan got out his wallet and paid cash, spilling hundreds all over the table.

“I’d love an after-dinner drink,” she said, “but they’re looking like they want their table.”

“I don’t think there’s a bar car. I’d invite you back to my suite, but I don’t have anything to drink.”

She held up her handbag. “There’s a flask of some very good cognac in here.”

They walked back to his cabin, and he let them in. As they entered, the train lurched, and the top berth opened, revealing his suitcase. He quickly closed it.

“My, carrying valuables, are we?” she said.

“Just a couple of Rolexes,” he replied. He found some glasses and she poured them generous drinks.

“It’s warm in here,” she said. “Feel free to take off your jacket and tie.” He did so, hanging them on a hook on the door. As he sat down, the train lurched again, and he spilled brandy on his trousers.

“You should take a damp cloth to that,” she said, “or it’ll stain.”

“Excuse me.” He went into the little john, wet a facecloth and dabbed at it, then returned. She had refilled his glass, and he noticed that the top button of her blouse had come undone.

She came closer as he sat down and wrapped her arm around his. “This is how we should toast,” she said, and they drank, then kissed lightly. “I must be careful not to let you get me drunk,” she said. “I might do something unforgivable.”

“Nothing could be unforgivable,” he said.