‘Please, Ore, call me next time, if you’re worried about anything like that. I think it’s right to be a little wary of men like Claude, and Chuck for that matter …’ He took a deep breath. ‘I meant to tell you about my conversation with Chuck, before the storm …’ Daniel looked around. ‘But maybe not here.’
‘Nowyou’reparanoid. Shall we say, kit cupboard 6, after your afternoon shift?’ Her tone was nonchalant but Daniel thought he spied a mischievous glint in her eye. He told himself to stop imagining things.
Her hand was still resting on his arm and she suddenly pulled it away self-consciously. Daniel felt a little bereft as Ore continued: ‘It doesn’t really matter anyway. I’ve sent a draft to Henry already, the straight profile, and he’s said he wants more on the daddy-daughter angle, so the investigation is off …’
‘Oh right, I kinda thought that was just a ploy to get another interview with Chuck, but honestly I think it’s for the best. I think Chuck is more dangerous than he looks.’ Daniel was relieved.
Ore crossed her arms, and Daniel got the sense that he’d annoyed her. ‘I mean, that’s usually the sign of a good story, Daniel, one that powerful people don’t want you to tell, but I guess you’re more in the habit of leaving closed doors as they are.’ Her comment stung and brought back into sharp focus the memory of the night before. The dream, the irresistible urge to go to Ore’s room, the mix of disappointment and relief when she didn’t answer, the soliloquising into the empty corridor.
He was embarrassed, ashamed of the truth in her words. ‘You’re right,’ he said quietly, defeated.
Ore sighed loudly and when he peeked over the table, she seemed agitated, rubbing her palms restlessly over her face and neck.
‘What’s wrong, Ore? I didn’t mean to minimise your work. For what it’s worth I think you were on to something; I just don’t want to see you get in trouble. We’re in the middle of international waters with a narcissist billionaire. It’s best not to rub him up the wrong way.’
Ore laughed at that, and once again it made Daniel smile.
‘So you’re more perceptive than you look, huh? I’m sorry for being snappy. That’s not how I wanted to talk about … that night … I guess I’m feeling a bit confused after … what happened the next morning.’
