Lesson One by Stuart J. Whitmore

Author:Stuart J. Whitmore [Whitmore, Stuart J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Thriller, Political
ISBN: 0996125817
Publisher: Crenel Books
Published: 2020-07-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Hi, Karena. Please come in,” Dan said, ushering her in to the front entry of his house. She said nothing about the stark contrast she noted between his welcoming attitude that Saturday evening compared to the first time she was at his house, standing in that same entry. She also said nothing about her curiosity regarding whether he was carrying his pistol, as it seemed likely to her that she would be able to find out eventually without asking. After letting him take her dripping umbrella and damp overcoat, Karena handed him the bottle of wine they agreed on earlier in the day.

“So,” she said with a quick glance around, “you expect your friends in about half an hour?”

Dan nodded. “Mark tends to run late when he’s on his own, but Laurie will probably keep him closer to being on time, or at least no more than ‘fashionably late,’ as she would put it. That gives me plenty of time to show you around a bit and for you to feel more comfortable before they arrive.”

“Thanks,” Karena responded as Dan led her toward the kitchen, “I appreciate your thoughtfulness about having me arrive early. It will be nicer for them to arrive after me, rather than my walking in on a completely unfamiliar situation with everyone else settled in.”

“You’re doing me a big favor,” Dan replied, “I really appreciate you being here tonight. So, anything I can do to make it nicer for you, I’m happy to do.” In the time that remained before Mark and Laurie arrived, Dan showed Karena around the main floor of the house and explained how the back yard would look during daylight hours. He explained that the upstairs was mostly bedrooms and his office, and the basement was just a typical basement, so there wasn’t much reason to show the whole house.

After they returned to the kitchen, Karena took a seat at a small table in a corner nook while Dan started preparing for dinner. They were not there long before a chime sounded quietly nearby. Dan explained that it let him know when somebody was passing through his front gate. Karena felt a surge of anxiety as she realized it was time to meet Dan’s friends, about whom Dan had said very little. A few moments later they heard the muffled sound of the garage door, and Dan commented that his friend Mark was the only person he trusted with such easy access to his house.

“Hey, Mark, Laurie. So good to see you. Come on in,” Dan greeted his friends as they entered through the doorway connecting the garage and the kitchen by way of a large pantry. He introduced Karena to them, and both Mark and Laurie gave Karena very warm greetings that helped her feel more at ease. She wasn’t sure if Dan advised them in advance that she and Dan were not romantically involved, but they made no comment about the age difference between the two teachers and she took that as a good sign.

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