Body of Evidence (Marcus Douglas 2)
“Okay, I think you are a very attractive woman, Panthea.”
“May I call you, Marcus?”
“You may.”
“Good. I just want you to know that I find you to be a very attractive man.”
“Thank you.”
“So, tell me, Marcus, do you have plans for this evening?”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t. What did you have in mind?”
“Well, since you don’t have plans, I was wondering if you would like to meet me for dinner?”
“I would be honored,” Marcus told Panthea and it was on.
At eight that evening, Marcus met Panthea at Nakato Japanese Restaurant on Cheshire Bridge Road.
Nakato was actually three Japanese restaurants in one. The place was divided into a large, comfortable dining room for sit-down meals. A quiet sushi bar and a hibachi bar where some of the best Samurai chefs wield fast knives for their guests’ amusement. A Japanese garden set the tone for the subdued, traditional atmosphere. Panthea ordered the Surf & Turf, which consisted of petite filet mignon and prawn shrimp. Marcus had the steamed Maine lobster & filet mignon.
They engaged in a fair amount of uncomfortable getting acquainted conversation over drinks, appetizers and their meals. He talked about his practice and some of his big cases, which naturally led to a discussion about the Ferguson case and eventually led to Carmen Taylor.
“So what was it like to date somebody famous?” Panthea asked him.
“Well, Carmen was famous in a different kind of way,” Marcus answered.
“What do you mean by that?”
“When we would go out, there would always be somebody who recognized her, but could never think of how they knew her.”
“I imagine that could get a little old after a while.”
“It did, but I was able to live through it.”
“So are you two still seeing each other?”
“No, I mean yes.”
Panthea laughed. “Which is it, yes or no? It can’t be both.”
“The thing is that Carmen is doing some modeling in Paris right now.”
“I see.” Panthea smiled and Marcus got weak.
“So, technically we are still seeing each other, but you know, we don’t because you know—”
“I know. It’s that whole Atlantic Ocean thing that keeps you apart.”
“Beautiful and smart,” Marcus commented.
“Wait. It gets so much better with time,” Panthea flirted.
“I’d be very interested to see,” Marcus said and touched her hand.
Marcus looked into Panthea’s eyes, and she beamed the smile that he was becoming fond of. Marcus signaled for their waiter and ordered another round of drinks.
“Are you from here originally, Marcus?” Panthea asked.