"OK," he said, nodding.
"That kiss... was that for real?"
There was no hiding the beautiful bloom of scarlet that brightened his expression. He stared at Demarco, a slow grin dimpling his cheeks. "I'm not looking to pay for it if that's what you're asking."
Demarco laughed... hard. "That is what I'm asking. And that's the right answer."
Jack leaned in for another kiss, and just as their lips touched a chime rang from Demarco's computer. Both men froze.
"Well, damn," Demarco said.
Jack opened the laptop. "It's from him."
Demarco clicked the email open and read eight words:OK. Not the steps. The Fountain. One hour.
7
The Circle was crowded. It was a chilly day, but the sun was shining bright and both natives and tourists were gathered around soaking it up. The benches circling the fountain's interior were occupied but not stuffed, and the outer perimeter of grass had sparse blankets, with people reading and snacking in the sun. And, though the chill of late February was not forgotten, it was an unseasonably warm day... the inevitability of spring's return too prominent to ignore.
Demarco and Jack crossed the diameter and found an empty section of bench. Demarco sat, but Jack was preoccupied, using his hand to shade his eyes as he peered through dark sunglasses at the surrounding buildings.
"Relax," Demarco said, "Why so tense? It's a beautiful day."
"Sorry, just doing my job."
Here in the sun, it was a little too warm for both a jacket and a sweatshirt, so Demarco removed his outer layer and draped it over the rounded bench. "Sure you don't want to sit?" He patted beside him.
"I'm worried we won't see what direction he's coming from."
Detective work, Demarco thought.Suit yourself.
After Jack had scanned the perimeter a couple of times he relented and sat down. The fountain was tall before them, a gigantic bowl perched atop of three figures, two women and one man.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" said Demarco.
"It's... a fountain."
"Exactly how long have you been here, Mr. Bostonian? Do you not care about our city's history?"
"No one'sfromhere, Demarco. You know that."
"That's not always true... and why would that make you less interested? You chose to live here... so did I."
"I'm glad that you did," Jack said, and, before Demarco could register the intent of his words, a woman screamed from behind them. Both men jerked their heads toward the sound, Jack on his feet immediately. The woman was slumped over a man who had tackled her with tickles. They both fell to the grass in a heap, rolling and laughing.
Jack sat back down. His gaze returned to the fountain and the stone figures before him—a nude male and two females.
"It's a naval statue, you know?"
"Looks a little promiscuous to me," Jack said.
"It's in honor of Admiral Dupont... a Union naval officer in the Civil War."
"Well, aren't you just afountof knowledge?" Jack said, teasing.
"You're the one employed by this country, Mr. Smarty-pants. Maybe you should get to know it a little better."
Jack held his hands up in surrender.
