Chapter 9
Zachary and Aleksey finished dining at a quaint Thai restaurant a few blocks south of Golden Gate Park. Family run and operated, with muted lighting and only six tables, it was one of Zachary's favorite places for a hearty meal in San Francisco. The wife and husband who owned the establishment greeted him warmly with good cheer, remembering his sporadic past visits but having no idea of his identity or profession. If feeling fancy was at odds with feeling at ease, there was no battle whatsoever with Zachary. Being at ease, and being protected and sensible, always won with him.
They traveled to Ghirardelli Square for freshly-made bars of dark chocolate. Zachary loved the ones with sea salt while Aleksey favored the bourbon caramel. They visited a couple of the shops, inclu
