Rendezvous Part 6

Derrick arrived on schedule, took the shuttle to the hotel, showered, and checked in with Professor Robertson to confirm their plans. Professor Robertson’s assistant picked up Derrick in the morning and Derrick and the Professor worked closely on the details for the case for two days until near exhaustion. Derrick was used to functioning off minimal sleep, but he’d already pushed himself to the edge prior to the trip and was in dire need of a nap. If not for Natalie’s call to reconfirm their meeting time as she thought she might be a little late, Derrick might have missed dinner all together. Derrick rushed to take a long hot shower and get ready.

Derrick took a cab to the restaurant and waited at the bar for Natalie’s arrival. Anxiety was getting the best of Derrick as he waited for Natalie. As he toyed with the glass on the bar, Derrick spilled the remainder of his drink when Natalie approached him.

“Shit!” Derrick fumed, as the bartender casually wiped up the liquid. “Hi. I’m sorry about that,” Derrick stood up. “How are you?” Derrick hugged Natalie.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Natalie returned, and wrapped her arms tight around Derrick.

“It’s okay. Table’s ready when you are,” they broke their embrace.

“Okay. Been waiting long?”

“Not really; although, if not for your call, I might’ve still be sleeping. This case is gonna be the death of me; no pun intended,” Derrick confessed while they were taken to their table.

“Well, let’s not talk shop for now,” Natalie said sweetly. “Let’s try to keep it relaxed and catch up on things.”

“I’m game for that.”

Derrick and Natalie ordered wine and their meals, and spend the next two hours talking about everything including work, though they said they wouldn’t. The casual ease between them displaced the previous lack of communication. For the first time in a long time, Derrick felt relaxed and comfortable. He didn’t feel like he needed to caution everything he said for fear of fallout or hostility. The more Derrick relaxed, the more his guard came down. After dinner, Derrick and Natalie decided to return to Derrick’s hotel to share a little more time and for Derrick to run a few of his findings from the case by Natalie. They went through the minutia and concluded the information with some new insight, which made Derrick very happy.

It had gotten quite late and Derrick didn’t want to cause any problems for Natalie at home and prompted her to call it a night. Natalie went to call Lloyd, but was interrupted by an incoming call.