Of Lights and Shadows (Book 4)

37) Arrest of the Shadow

Music swirled and danced a melody inside their minds, their eyes locked on course of a body in perfect motion. The dancer moved in time with the music. As it rose she sang, as it dropped she moved as one and still in tune. It held everyone in check and none could move, and then the final beat was played, the final step was taken, and the final note hit with perfect pitch. The crowd moved, their hands connecting together in claps that raised the roof.

Shaking his head to clear away the dripping haze, Dastardious found himself being watched from the seat across from him.

'I am so glad to see that you're enjoying yourself, Detective,' Alice said as Dastardious focused his grey brown eyes on her. One of the first things he took in was the fact that once again she was looking gorgeous, except this time in a short, pale blue dress. Her hair was curled and hung higher than it normally did, and unlike last time he had seen her she was wearing a pair of rectangular shaped glasses. But unlike with some people who just did not suit glasses, they suited her very well. In fact, Dastardious found himself preferring her with them.

'You're late,' he told her sharply, taking a sip of his wine as he looked at the clock on the far wall. It was almost eight.

'Yes, I am sorry about that,' she replied, clicking her fingers to bring over a waiter. 'I did say I would be late. It was... unavoidable. But I'm here now,' she smiled.

'Better here than not, I suppose.'

The waiter handed them both a menu before being leaving them again.

'Have you ever been here before?' Dastardious asked as his eyes scanned the menu. From over the top of it he saw her give a slight shake of her head.

'No, but I read a review and thought it sounded quite nice.'

Dastardious laughed. 'So you have no idea what any of this says?' he asked, flipping his menu around so she could see the words printed in Spanish.

'I took a bit of Spanish in high-school so I can read enough of it to understand.'

'I didn't. Mind telling me what there is to order?'

She laughed and smiled again at him playfully. 'Yes, I mind. Just take a lucky dip,' she told him.

Puffing out his cheeks in exasperation, Dastardious blew out the air as he studied the words trying to make head or tail of them.

'All right then,' he said after a while. 'I've decided. What about you?'

'I think I might have the steak. It's simple. Shall we order now or wait a little while?'

'You can wait if you want, but it's eight and I haven't eaten since lunch.'

'Very well then.'

As they both laid down their menus, Dastardious called over their waiter again. 'Take the lady's first,' he said. Alice smiled again and placed her order, speaking it out in Spanish. Dastardious, who couldn't pronounce, it let alone understand it, pointed.

'Would you like anything to drink with it?' their waiter asked.

Dastardious asked for a refill of his glass, and Alice ordered a bottle of Corona.

'Well,' said Dastardious as he settled back into his chair, turning his eyes back to the band on stage. Their table was near the outside of the ring of tables so they were furthest away from it. He was glad of this because it meant they could have a more private conversation without other people hearing because they were closer to the band.

'Well indeed. You know I am glad to see your memory is as good as you claimed it to be,' Alice told him.

'It's only been a week since we last talked; it wasn't that long to remember. Besides, you can do wonders with a calendar.'