Heated Abscondment

Chapter Eleven - Part Three

“Nice to finally get your names. So, where you guys from that’s the source of the accent?” Ada asked.

Etienne wasn't ready to give her complete details yet. So he answered vaguely.

“Just a small country in Europe, not very many people heard of it.”

“Alright.” She said shrugging. “So, what do you guys do that involves having to wear suits regularly?”

“Oh, we just work in the government.” Casmin answered with ease. 

“Wouldn’t working in the government requiring working in the country the government belongs to?” She asked.

Etienne smiled to himself. This woman was sharp. 

He loved it.

“Yes and no. Sometimes governments have to work with governments of other countries, too.” He replied smoothly. 

“Ah. Ambassador type stuff. You’re making rounds and probably gonna hit up the city about 2 or 3 hours east of here. Or at least fly out.”

The men looked at her with slightly widened eyes. 

Etienne saw one of his security detail start to get up from their booth and head their way. Etienne’s gut told him that she wasn’t a danger nor a risk. But it was pretty quick of her to nail it on the head like that. He was a little suspicious that she did in fact recognize them.

Etienne shrugged as if to emulate she may be wrong about her guesswork on their situation and in fact have different plans.

“There are other cities in this state, too.” He said nonchalantly taking a drink.

“Please. Not if you’re traveling along this part of the interstate. Now if you had stopped 45 miles back west there would be chance I’d expect you to go north. There they also have their own airport, but they also have a specific military base there that does host a lot of official functions.”

Etienne knew exactly what base she was talking about. He had visited it for a very function she was talking about the year prior.

“What is it you do?” Adrian asked stonily.

“I’m an accountant.” She answered. She glanced again and gave a small smile. 

“Deductions from small amounts of data is actually a specialty of mine. I can catch anomalies or patterns from a snapshot of a company’s or individual’s trends then gauge a pretty close assessment from that. Sorry, guys. Didn’t mean to alarm you. I also interact with people of all different types of careers so I know a little bit of a lot of topics.”

“That’s an uncanny trick.” Adrian commented.

“Sometimes it’s a curse. Hard to shut my mind off.” She looked ahead and took another drink of her beer. She seemed lost in thought for a few minutes, then shook herself and turned back to the men.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ll let you gentlemen be.” She scooted off her stool, purposefully quickly sidestepping away from Etienne this time, and making a beeline back for her table.

Etienne watched her retreat back to her friends then turned to his friends.

“What. The. f**k. How did she do that?” Casmin said quietly.

Etienne hailed the bartender Ada called Lurch.

“What was that woman’s last name?”

The tall man eyed Etienne warily.

“Smirnay. But, tread carefully. She’s not a one night stand type of woman, bro. She’s been through a lot in her life, and she’s a dear friend of mine.”

“Of course. I just would like to take care of her tab.”

“She wouldn’t take too kindly to that to be honest.”

“Really?”

“Yea. She’s not like others. She’s something else entirely.”

Etienne felt jealously flare. 

“What exactly is she to you?”

“Just a good friend.” The bartender caught the underlying slight malice in Etienne’s tone and continued, “Look, man. She definitely wouldn’t go for a controlling type which is what you’re coming across as right now. But to keep the peace, I’ll tell you that I like one of her friends. But all of them I have known for years, and all of them I count as dear friends. Ada is just guarded heavier by her friends because of her past.”

“What happened in her past?” Adrian asked.

“That is her information to share. And I’m leaving it at that.” He said then walked away to help another customer. 

The men looked at each other, then back over their shoulder at the table of women.

“That didn’t curb your curiosity and interest at all, did it?” Casmin asked.

“No.” Etienne answered, pulling out his phone. He texted his security detail group, asking for background information on Ada Smirnay and her correspondents.

“Looks like we might be spending more time with the entertaining bunch.” Adrian commented with a smirk.

“Dibs on the other brunette.” Casmin piped up.

“The curly haired blonde who can’t seem stop blushing would be fun to antagonize.” Adrian remarked flatly. 

“Wow.” Casmin laughed rolling his eyes.

Etienne halfway listened to his friends’ banter as he looked at the replies on his phone. 

“They’re clear. You gentlemen ready to bring some women back to the suite?” Etienne asked, putting his phone away.

“Always.” They answered with smiles.