Chapter 8: Ethan Hunt Does Not Blink

Leah did not run. That was the first victory of the night. She finished pouring Ethan's water, set the bottle down without a sound, and asked, "Would you like to see the wine list?" Ethan leaned back. "I would like to know why your pulse jumped." "Most servers become nervous around men who speak in riddles." "Most servers do not count exits before greeting a table." Leah met his eyes and found nothing soft there. Ethan Hunt's face belonged on magazine covers; his gaze belonged in locked rooms. He had seen too much and forgiven none of it. "Then perhaps you should order from someone less observant," she said. For a moment, something almost human crossed his expression. At Sebastian's table, Olivia dropped a pearl earring. It rolled beneath a chair. Sebastian bent to retrieve it, and in that instant Olivia's smile disappeared. She stared at Leah with naked concentration. Leah turned before recognition could land. Ethan's voice stopped her. "Your name." "Leah." "No surname?" "Not one that improves the food." She left before he could ask another question. In the service corridor, Megan grabbed her wrist. "What did he say?" "Enough." "Do we leave?" Leah looked through the narrow window into the dining room. Sebastian had ordered the most expensive Burgundy because insecurity loved an audience. Olivia was touching his sleeve while watching Ethan. Ethan was watching Leah's reflection in the glass. "No," Leah said. "We listen." The chance came with the lamb course. Sebastian's table requested privacy. Karim drew the curtain and assigned Leah because Priya, the senior server, had disappeared to smoke. Inside the curtained room, Sebastian spoke quietly, confident that staff had no ears. "Martha wants the Halcyon vote moved up," he said. Olivia stiffened. "Before the memorial gala?" "Before Richard changes his mind." "He will not." "He might if Catherine starts crying about Bella again." Leah's hand tightened around the serving spoon. Olivia's voice thinned. "Do not say her name." Sebastian laughed. "Why? Afraid ghosts listen?" Leah served the lamb. Olivia looked up. Recognition did not come as shock. It came as irritation, like seeing a stain return after laundering. "Have we met?" Olivia asked. Leah lowered her eyes. "I do not think so, ma'am." Sebastian barely glanced at her. But Olivia kept staring until Ethan's voice came from outside the curtain. "Costa," he said. "Your lawyer is calling the police from the hallway." Sebastian stood. In the confusion, Olivia's napkin slid from her lap. Leah picked it up and found a note written in lipstick on the linen. Find the girl from the garage.