Tell Me a Story

Chapter 24

"Okay, talk." Eli took a glance around the restaurant, looking unsure. "Come on, Eli. We've walked in and out of half the stores in mall, not to mention the movie theater. I'm sure we've lost any tail we may have had."

Eli stared for a moment, then pushed a menu in front of me. "You should order something."

I slapped the menu down in front of him and started to slide out of the booth. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back into my seat. In the corner of my eye, I could see a few people looking over.

"We'll talk, but you need to sit down and stop drawing attention."

"Of course," I sneered. "Can I have my wrist back?"

Eli let go and settled back into his seat, as a waiter appeared at the table.

"Can I start you two off with a beverage?"

I stared at Eli. I wasn't in the mood to order. I wanted answers, not food.

"Two blonde bocks. And could you put an order of garlic fries in?" Eli handed the waiter our menus. "That's all, thanks."

"Of course, sir." 

Eli folded his hands in front of him and sighed as I stared back, waiting.

"So? Are you going to explain why we just left a guy in an electrical closet? Or why he might be following us in the first place?"

Eli sat silently for a moment, then leaned forward. "My job can get complicated at times."

"Complicated? You're a headhunter."

"Well, not entirely. I'm more of a consultant, remember? I identify problems, and then I fix them."

"Fix them? Like the way you fixed that guy at the convention center?"

"No, that wasn't a planned part of the job."

"And what is this job?"

Eli shook his head as the waiter returned with our beers, watching as he walked away before he continued. "I can't go into detail about that."

"Oh no? So, you can get my apartment trashed and bugged, get me followed in public, and who knows what else, but you can't share? Nice."

"Kate, it's just not that simple–" I started to slide out of the booth again.

"Fine! I'll talk."

"Why are you here, Eli? And what does any of it have to do with me?"

He took a long sip of his beer and spoke in a hushed voice. "I've been hired to acquire a piece of software. It's likely I'm not the only one looking to get it, not to mention the people who created it aren't keen on losing it. Somehow, they found out I'm here. And, obviously, they think you are working with me. Really working with me."

"So wait, if this is all true, why did you hire me?"

"It was a way to get closer to information I needed."

"What information could I possibly have that you need?"

"It's more who you know than what, Kate."

"These half-responses are getting old, Eli. Who do I know? Seriously, I am the least connected person, well, ever."

Eli rubbed the back of his neck and shook his head. "It's not important, Kate."

"It may not be important to you, but it is to me. I mean, really, who do I know other than..." I looked at Eli to see him grimace, eyebrows raised, as he waited for me to finish. I shook my head. "No, no, no. Not Meera?"