9 PM CHICAGO OUTSIDE EVE HILLIARDS APARTMENT
Eve looks up from the TV, a question in her eyes, as she hears a knock on the door. Peering through the eyehole, she is startled and instantly wary at the sight of Captain Gerard on her doorstep.
Loosening the deadbolt, she opens the door. “Captain Gerard, what are you doing here?”
Gerard pushes past her in to the apartment. “You and Holmes went to see Kimble’s lawyer this morning. I want to know why.”
“This assignment does not involve you, Captain,” she responds icily, “and I would appreciate it if you would…”
“I am not leaving until I get an answer!”
“Our
meeting was with Becca Ross, in relation to Ross Industries. She chose the
location at her lawyer’s office, not I.”
“What about Ross Industries?”
“Captain, I was specifically instructed by my superior in the FBI to exclude you from this investigation because your ties to Ross are ‘suspect’. I wasn’t given any details. Perhaps you can enlighten me.”
Gerard stares at her in tight-lipped fury. Then he turns abruptly and walks out. Eve watches him with a shake of her head. “Captain, you are out of control.”
11 PM THE MAJESTIC HOTEL NEW ORLEANS
Richard and Kari are finishing the last of the take-out. Kimble pushes the empty containers aside, as though sweeping his anxieties about the coming events aside as well. He looks up and says in attempt to lighten the atmosphere, “The Creole was delicious. Where shall we meet next?”
Kari responds in the same spirit, “
“Me, too. I initially wanted to go there on my honeymoon but…”
“Helen had been there several times and she wanted to go somewhere where neither of you had been before, so you took a Caribbean Cruise!” Kari laughs and Richard looks at her, a question in his eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry Richard. I should have let you tell me that.”
“No, it’s OK Kari, I just have to remind myself that you read Helen’s diary.”
Kari gets quiet, “Yes, I did…although parts of it I wish I hadn’t read.”
“Why?”
“Why? Richard, I really didn’t need to know
how Helen decided to surprise you in
Richard raises his eyebrows in embarrassment. “I see your point, Kari…look I’m glad you know about it though.”
“Why?”
“Well…it’s just that…Kari look, what I’m trying to say is that…”
“You like me?”
Richard nods and says, “Yes, I like you very, very much and I’m glad that you know that I’m not like him.”
Kari raises her eyebrows and says, “Richard, I didn’t need to read Helen’s diary to know that!”
Richard stands up and pulls Kari close to him. He runs his hand through her hair, staring into her eyes. He kisses her forehead, then her cheek. Finally letting his emotions go, he leans down and kisses her hungrily on the lips. Kari returns his kiss with equal emotion, until suddenly they break apart. They both look uncertainly at each other and then both look across the room at the only bed.
Richard lets her go, as though afraid to touch her again. “I’ll sleep in the chair.”
They wordlessly get ready for bed, taking their prospective turns in the bathroom. Kari climbs into bed and Richard starts to sit in a big chair when Kari says, “Richard, this is ridiculous. You’ll never get a good night’s sleep in that chair.” She pulls the covers back and says, “Come to bed.”
Richard comes over to the bed, looking around at the dingy room. “Not like this, Kari. We both deserve better.”
“If you can wait, so can I. Richard, I trust you, do you trust me?” She smiles at him and he gets into bed and they both turn away with their backs to each other but their faces show deep sadness at what they are depriving themselves of.