As soon as we were outside, my lungs filled with fresh, warm mid-morning air. The business was unsavory, but the location couldn’t have been more beautiful. The hour was redolent with summer smells and the birds were having a gabfest. It was about a fifteen-minute walk. The cafeteria was located directly under the lounge where we had been a couple of nights ago. As soon as Chris opened the door, the ambient noise of conversation died down to a hush. I looked around at the tables and chairs. Mostly women—around 80 percent—but some young-looking studmuffins as well. I didn’t know if the pretty boys were for men or for women. Maybe they did double duty. It wasn’t air-conditioned inside, and the women were dressed in casual clothing: shorts, T-shirts, sandals. Nothing glamorous. I fit right in. He escorted me to a back table where he could see everything, and before my backside hit the seat, a server was there. She was wearing an apron around her waist, but it wasn’t a sexy French maid costume. She wore a long-sleeved black shirt and black pants. She looked to be around my age and, like me, had her long hair tied back. She held a coffeepot and two cups. After pouring, she said, “Good morning, Mr. Donatti. How can I help you?”

“I like your new hair color, Karena.”

“It’s not too dark?”

“It makes your eyes stand out.” He turned to me. “This is my fiancée, Dr. Teresa McLaughlin. You take good care of her, okay?”

“Of course. Congratulations, sir. To you too, ma’am.”

“Thank you,” Chris said. “She wants oatmeal. Get her fresh, not from the buffet. I’ll take my usual.”

“Scrambled eggs whites and turkey bacon—six slices crisp.”

“Perfect.”

Karena smiled—an A student.

I said, “Scrambled eggs sound good … not egg whites. The real thing.”

“You want eggs instead of oatmeal?” Chris asked me.

“Can I have both?”

“WTF, Terry.” Chris laughed. “You can have whatever you want.”

“I’ll have both, then. And orange juice.”

He laughed again. “Get her anything she wants. I’ll be back.” He turned to a bodyguard. “You watch her like a hawk.”

“Yes, sir.”

I hadn’t even noticed another body until Chris had spoken to him.