“Thank you for dinner, John,” she said, the words sounding almost giddy. She slowly let her hand recoil, as if relishing the moment. “It’s always so wonderful to see you.” She turned away, not waiting for a response, and went to pay the bill.

*  *  *

There was a long pause. “She’s gone.” John’s voice came over the walkie-talkie. Jessica looked to Carlton; he seemed slightly in shock, staring after Charlie like he’d been hypnotized. “Carlton!” Jessica hissed. He snapped out of it, shaking his head.

“She looks hot!” Carlton said.

Jessica reared back and slapped Carlton as hard as she could.

“You idiot! You’re supposed to be watching his back, not watching her butt! Besides, she put your father in the hospital!”

“No, no, I know. Very serious …” He trailed off, obviously distracted.

“Why did I even bring you along?” Jessica scooted out of the booth and got to her feet clumsily.

“Where are you going?” Carlton asked.

“I have an idea; stay here.” Jessica sighed. “You take my car.”

Carlton called after, but she didn’t stop to answer, merely threw her car keys behind her. Carlton made his way over to John’s booth.

“Hey. Are you okay?” John didn’t turn at the sound of Carlton’s voice beside him.

“No. Not really okay.” John leaned back in his seat, looking up at the plaster ceiling, then finally turned to look at Carlton. “Where’s Jessica?” John asked instantly.

“I’m not sure, she ran out …” Carlton gestured toward the parking lot, and John turned just in time to see Charlie pull out onto the road and drive away.

“She did something stupid, didn’t she?” John said wearily. Carlton met his eyes, then they both ran for the door.

*  *  *

Jessica kept low and snuck to the back exit of the restaurant; she could see Charlie was still standing at the front desk taking care of the bill. Jessica slipped out the back door and ran around the perimeter of the building, her high heels clacking on the sidewalk. She yanked them off and threw them into the bushes, then kept running, barefoot.

“Jessica, what are you doing?” she muttered to herself. As she rounded the corner of the building into the parking lot, she spotted Charlie’s car and made a beeline for it. The front door was unlocked. Jessica quickly popped the trunk, shut the door, and slipped inside, not closing the trunk lid all the way.