Hard News (Rune 3)

"I'm over twenty-one."

"I'm not asking for a driver's license. I want to know if an eighty-dollar bottle of wine will be wasted on you."

"Maybe a White Russian would be more my speed."

Sutton nodded to the maitre d' and said, "Find me a half bottle, Jacques. A Mersault if there's no Puligny."

"Oui, Miss Sutton."

Huge menus appeared. Sutton scanned hers. "I don't think we want anything too adventurous. We'll have scallops to start." She asked Rune, "Do you swell up or turn red when you eat seafood?"

"No, I get fish sticks all the time at this Korean deli. And--"

Sutton waved an abrupt hand. "And then the pigeon."

Rune's eyes went wide. Pigeon?

Jacques said, "Salades, after?"

"Please."

Rune's eyes danced around the room then settled on the arsenal of silverware and empty plates in front of her. The procedures here seemed as complicated as Catholic liturgy and the downside if you blew it seemed worse. Be cool, now, she told herself. This's your boss and she already thinks you're damaged. Rune resisted the fierce impulse to scratch under her bra strap.

The first course arrived, along with the little girl's oysters.

"Gross dudes," Courtney said but she began to eat them eagerly. "Can we buy these for breakfast? I like them."

Rune was thankful Courtney was with them; the girl gave her something to do besides feel uncomfortable. Picking spoons up off the floor, wiping oyster off her face, keeping the vase vertical.

Sutton watched them and for the first time since Rune had known her the anchorwoman's face softened. "So that's what it's like."

"What?" Rune asked.

"Kids."

"You don't have children?"

"I do. Only I call them ex-husbands. Three of them."

"I'm sorry."

Sutton blinked and stared at Rune for a minute. "Yes, I believe you are." She laughed. "But that's one thing I regret. Children. I--"

"It's not too late."

"No, I think it is. Maybe in my next life."

"That's the worst phrase ever made."

Sutton continued to study her with curiosity. "You just barge right through life, don't you?"

"Pretty much, I guess."

Sutton's eyes settled on Courtney. Then she reached forward and, with a napkin as big as the girl's dress, wiped her cheek. "Messy little things, aren't they?"

"Yeah, that part's kind of a drag. And she isn't really into being sloppy tonight--I told her to behave. For lunch the other day, okay? We're eating bananas and hamburger, all kind of mixed together and--"

Sutton's hand rose again. "Enough."