44 Clouds on the Horizon (2/2)

Outside his door, Meaghan held her hands to her burning cheeks and willed them to die down.

Making her way back to her desk, she sent the file to Raine's email box and prepared to finish up for the day.

~~~

Rickie met Raine at Hillary's restaurant. She had taken them to an out-of-the-way corner table, and promised to return when she had a moment. Meanwhile, they sipped glasses of wine as they waited for their entrees.

Raine reviewed her copy of Meaghan's report. ”I think it's a good call on Meg's part regarding the date, but we need to pinpoint the location if at all possible. Any ideas?”

”I have two consultants on my gas rig near Pulau Serasan. I checked their references this afternoon, but everything appears to be legitimate.”

Rickie thought for a moment. ”I'll go ahead and check with my contacts, and see if anything unusual pops up. My first impression was that they were a bit odd, but I've only been working the family interests for only a short while, so I don't personally know their reputation.”

Hillary showed up with their meals, and after serving them, and sat down with the pair. They had a friendly discussion of favorite wine selections, and the meal proceeded amicably.

~~~

In the quiet darkness above the bustle surrounding the drill, two figures leaned against the railing around the helipad and looked down at the movement below. A matched flared up as John lit a cigarette, deeply inhaled and then sighed a puff of smoke.

”Are we prepared for tomorrow?”

”Affirmative.And you know,” Ani added dryly, ”Those things will kill you.”

A laugh was the only reply.