Heroic Measures: Introducing a Random Factor (continued)

“I see you found one of the few bastions of decent Scotch in our great city,” she remarked, nodding toward his glass.

Walter glanced down at it as if he had forgotten that it had existed. He really had not wanted company. Red’s presence would have been tolerable, perhaps even desirable. But he had gone off somewhere, once again without a word to anyone, and not been sighted in several days. Walter was always concerned that he would not return, and no one would know why. Yet, like every other hero he knew, Walter affirmed to allow him his secrets. It was part of the life they had chosen.

Across the table from him, Random picked a single peanut from the small bowl of assorted bar snacks and examined it. Walter waited patiently, knowing that despite what he might want, she was not going to leave until she had completed whatever business she had come with. He had told no one where he was going, so the effort that she had expended to follow him, while perhaps truly not that great given her knowledge of his habits, told him that her intent was serious.

Random popped the nut into her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully for a moment before reaching for another one. She seemed about to speak and then paused. Walter wondered if she had changed her mind, although restrained tact was not known to be one of her stronger traits. When the server appeared a moment later, he understood why.

She ordered a beer, rambling off several German-sounding syllables that Walter did not recognize. Her accent was creditable, although not quite native. It made Walter wonder just how many languages she understood. Or maybe, he considered wryly, just enough in each to order drinks.

The server departed and Random munched slowly on a small handful of nuts. Walter studied her, trying to read her intent from her expression, but it revealed nothing to him. Her eyes moved. She caught him watching her and their gazes locked before he could look away. For no reason that he could explain, his throat tightened behind a sudden lump. His eyes felt scalded from the acid burn of suppressed tears.