Charlotte's hand trembled as she applied mascara to her lashes. She could scarcely believe that Zach wanted to have dinner with her, at a nice restaurant no less. He had reiterated it was not a date, but merely a chance to talk further. His interest in her podcast intrigued her. She knew he was in on the rouse, and yet, it still made her nervous.

I'm going to glean some more information. It'll be easy.

The age-old tactic of catching flies with honey would be the angle. Not in a sexual way, though that often worked for women, but in using one's attitude and attention. Humans crave to be understood. Being 'heard' creates a chemical dump that if done right, will automatically cause one to let their guard down. Charlotte was skilled in this technique.

I should've gone into the CIA she mused to herself. Big government had never been attractive. She relished in her freedoms too much to go that route. Though her talents would have been highly sought after. She fluffed at her hair, giving it a once over. Not too little, not too much.

Taking her wallet and a few other small items, she transferred them to a small handbag. Carrying her messenger bag wouldn't do in an upscale restaurant. She had to appear elegant. A tiny recorder caught her eye. She hadn't originally planned to record the evening, but a nagging feeling told her she should. Especially if she had wine.

Zach will open up more with wine.

She grabbed the device and set it to begin recording. Editing out what wasn't needed could be done later. She left the hotel room and headed downstairs. If only Zach would open enough to give her a hint at what they were hiding, she could push her investigation further. Without his help she feared the only option was to sneak underground. The staff seemed distracted as it was with their jobs. Blending in shouldn't be too hard.

"Pardon me." A voice said.

It was the man from yesterday. The one who was in the elevator with her. She had almost run smack into him stepping out into the lobby. He steadied her with a firm grip. Their eyes met and a spark shot through Charlottes chest. Not one of physical attraction, though he was handsome, but of something else. She stepped back, causing his hand to drop. He blinked then smiled.

"Enjoy your evening."

Charlotte gave a quick nod and hurried off, out of the hotel into the night air. It was a bit chilly, and she shivered in her cocktail dress. How odd, what was that about? Her chest was the only part of her body that felt warmth. The Uber she had ordered pulled up, providing a respite from the cold. The mystery man had brought her mind back to past research trips. She had never been alone while traveling before. If something should happen to her, who would know? Who would care?

The car arrived at the restaurant quickly. Charlotte thanked the driver, giving a generous tip as she climbed out. Zach was waiting.

"My, you look lovely." He commented.

She scanned his outfit. He had on a charcoal suit, and a nice shirt and shoes. Much different than how he appeared at the airport. He was almost dapper. The salt and pepper in his hair shone and matched the colors he wore well. She smiled, allowing him to open the door for her.

"Thank you."

Zach had selected a steak place. It was highly rated online, and reservations were very hard to snag. Charlotte assumed he knew someone in order to secure dinner here so last-minute. Or the shadow group he worked for set it up. Either way, the aroma of food made her stomach growl.

The maître d' led them to a semiprivate table in the corner of the main seating area. The view was of the city, but it felt removed from the bustle. Menus were handed out on expensive paper. She winced internally at the prices. Sensing her apprehension, Zach encouraged her.

"It's covered by my expense account. Don't hesitate to order anything you'd like. I'm getting the biggest steak they have."

Charlotte chuckled, which made Zach smile in return. It was humorous, and disarming, his confidence and honesty. She settled on a small cut of fillet mignon and a side of seasonal vegetables. For the alcohol, they both agreed on a vintage red from Italy. Zach seemed more relaxed, and Charlotte did too.

He studied her face as they drank from wine glasses. She was incredibly beautiful. Her mannerisms indicated that she was comfortable and enjoying his company. This was exactly how he envisioned it going. Small talk was his forte.

"Your first podcast was good." He said.

"You listened?"

"Of course! I was surprised however that you left out the gargoyle."

Charlotte's face flickered with something uncomfortable that Zach couldn't quite place.

"Well, maybe that's coming."

He smiled then took a drink of his wine. Her eyes challenged him. A slow dance of cat and mouse was forming, and he was also prepared for that.

"When it spoke to you, you do realize an airport employee was on the other end? They knew of your visit and that you were a podcaster."

"Of course. You think I would assume it was some sort of evil possessed object?"

He chuckled and took another drink.

"You'd be surprised. We've had podcasters in the past with that viewpoint."

The food arrived and the warm plates were placed in front of them. They were both hungry and didn't hesitate to begin eating. Charlotte saw this as the most natural point to redirect the conversation. Zach seemed to be on his way to being buzzed by the wine. He refilled their glasses, though hers was still half full.

"So, tell me, what did you end up doing with your life after high school? Before you ended up here at DIA?" She asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.

Zach could scarcely believe this younger woman would want to know, but here she was, asking.

"I went into the Air Force. Wanted to see a bit of the world while I was in college. AFROTC."

"The Air Force! Wow, I'm impressed. What did you study in college?"

"Mechanical engineering. At Colorado State. It was a great degree plan; I had a lot of fun in that program."

"I'm not a science major. I find it fascinating though. What did you end up doing in the Air Force with your degree?"

Zach took another long drink and Charlotte could really tell he was loosening up. His face had visibly softened.

"Well, that's another story. But I ultimately wound up as a developmental engineer. I helped upgrade flight systems and processes in short. Boring stuff to try and explain."

"It doesn't sound boring to me. Did you get stationed somewhere exotic or fun?"

"If you call Malmstrom Air Force Base exotic then yes!" He laughed.

Charlotte knew where that was. One of the few nuclear missiles bases in the US, deep in Montana. He wasn't there by accident she felt. There was no way.

"Did you stay single the entire time? I've heard being in the military is brutal on relationships."

"Oh, well. .no but then yes. I dated. Almost married a fellow officer but she got reassigned overseas so that didn't last. Met my wife on base. She was a civilian engineer. We married quickly, young love and lust. You know how that is."

He paused to look at Charlotte. She pursed her lips in a small way then took a drink of her wine. He gathered she did know.

"Yes. I understand a whirlwind romance."

Her mind flashed to Marcus. The way he made her feel. How they fell for each other.

"But. .you said 'ex-wife'."

"Yes. We've been divorced a few years now. In the end, it simply didn't work out."

Zach looked pained after he said it, as if he wasn't ready to admit to anyone his past relationships. Charlotte was intruding on his wall, knocking a few bricks down. What was behind felt exposed.

"And you? An ex-husband lurking around?"

"Lord no. Never been married. Too busy for that. My old work was all encompassing, we traveled often."

The waiter returned with a cart offering desserts. Both eyed the delicacies until they found a shareable chocolate cake. Charlotte felt she had good background information on Zach now, at least enough to conduct her own investigation on him.

Try to get a little bit more.

"So, no children I take it?" She inquired, swiping her fork through the fluffy chocolate layers.

"No, thankfully. My life hasn't ever been conducive for a family."

"Neither has mine." She softly and absentmindedly replied .

Zach watched covertly as she took the bite of cake in her mouth. He wondered if she was satisfied with her life direction. What they both currently did for employment was deeply solitary. For him it was good, for someone like Charlotte he had his doubts.

"Tell you what, would you like to view the original blueprints to DIA? From the early construction?"

Pausing, fork in midair, Charlotte could hardly believe her luck.

"Yes. Yes, of course."