The Mirror

Chapter 3: An Unexpected Valentine

"He hasn't, but this will undoubtedly be the lure to reel him in. Why she should want to, I don't know."

"Now, Peter. Mozzie would be a great help. Didn't he write the script for Aidan's video on the yellow-faced bee?"

"He did, but I'm going to insist he keep his hands off my character."

El chuckled. "That's probably wise. I'll ring Mozzie up and we can brainstorm together. Such exciting news for a perfect evening."

"Nothing beats a corner booth at Donatella's when my table is graced with the most beautiful woman here."

El smiled. "On second thought, I'm glad you told Diana we should be married. Now I won't have to worry about coeds stealing you away. And speaking of the college crowd, do you know if Neal is taking Fiona out for Valentine's Day?"

"They have classes tonight so they already celebrated."

"They've been seeing each other for what, four months now? How serious do you think they are?"

"My best guess is that they're wondering about that themselves. Neal told me Fiona may be transferred to Paris later this spring."

"Really? That may force them to do some hard thinking."

"I believe he already is. He mentioned he may visit her in Paris this summer. He even asked to have that photo of Chantal and Klaus back." Peter was about to continue, but stopped short and took a sip of coffee instead. The old Peter would have voiced his concerns, but not the new, improved version.

But El was too wise to be deceived. "You don't seem very happy with that. Surely you trust him."

"Of course. It's not that." He shook his head. "I guess I still worry about how many skeletons he has in his closet from his years overseas. I should be happy he wants that photo. But instead, I wonder what hidden dangers are lurking in Europe."

"Neal would tell you that you worry too much. His request is a sign he's no longer feeling guilty about Mansfeld. You should be pleased. Besides, who wouldn't want to go to Paris?"

Was that a note of envy in her voice? "We've never discussed going to Europe."

She shrugged. "I guess we've always been too busy with our jobs, but that doesn't mean I haven't thought about it."

Peter moved his coffee cup aside and, placing his elbows on the table, leaned toward her. "Well, I'm asking now. Would you like to?"

El studied him, puzzled. "Are you seriously proposing a trip to Paris? When can I start packing?"

Peter chuckled ruefully. "I guess that answers my question. The reason I asked is that there's a chance—a very slim chance— that I might be appointed to an Interpol art crimes task force. And before you start making plans to move to London, or Lyon, or wherever it's headquartered, it would be part-time. I'd still retain my present job with only the occasional trip."

Her face lit up brighter than the candles on the table. "But you must be excited! I am. What about Neal? Is he being considered too?"

"That's unclear. Neal's situation with Interpol is much more tenuous than what he has with the Bureau. He'd accumulated a large file before joining the FBI, and Interpol may not be familiar with all the exemplary work he's done for us since then."

While they finished their dessert, they continued to discuss the new task force. That El was so open to the idea was a revelation. She hoped to be able to participate in some of the trips. Her enthusiasm made Peter view it more favorably too.

* * * * *

On Monday evening, when Neal left his seminar, Fiona was waiting for him in the hallway. She broke into a smile when she saw him. "You wore the tie I gave you!"