Naomi noticed it through the window while delivering a plate of sandwiches.
She recognized the vehicle.
Victor Hale stepped out.
He wore a dark suit, a pale blue shirt, and an expression that suggested the day had been personally inconvenienced by everyone around him.
He entered the restaurant without waiting for anyone to greet him.
Daniel saw him immediately.
“Mr. Hale,” he said, approaching from the host stand. “Good afternoon.”
“Daniel. I need to speak with Naomi.”
“She's working.”
“I can see that.”
“Would you like a table?”
“No. I'd like to speak with her privately.”
Daniel glanced toward Naomi.
She was standing beside booth four, placing a plate in front of a customer.
“I'll ask her whether she has a moment.”
Victor's mouth tightened.
“I'm not here to negotiate an appointment.”
“And I'm not going to interrupt a customer's meal without checking first.”
For a second, Victor looked as if he might argue.
Then he smiled thinly.
“Of course.”
Daniel walked toward Naomi.
“Your favorite customer is back.”
Naomi exhaled.
“Please tell me he wants dessert.”
“He wants to speak with you.”
“I suspected as much.”
“Do you want me to tell him you're busy?”
She considered the offer.
“No. I'll speak with him for a minute.”
Daniel studied her.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But I'd prefer to do it near the front windows, where everyone can see us.”
A look of understanding crossed his face.
“Good idea.”
Naomi approached Victor.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Hale.”
“Naomi. Thank you for taking a moment.”
“I'm on shift, so I only have a moment.”
He seemed not to hear the distinction.
“I've been thinking about our conversation last night.”
“Which part?”
“The wager.”
Naomi waited.
“I admit I underestimated your abilities.”
“That happens.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“I'm trying to be complimentary.”
“I understand.”
“Then perhaps you could respond as though you appreciate it.”
Naomi looked at him steadily.
“I appreciate your acknowledging that I spoke Mandarin.”
Victor's smile became more strained.
“Very well. Let's discuss the opportunity I mentioned.”
“What opportunity?”
“I have a consulting problem.”
Naomi almost laughed.
She caught herself.
“I'm listening.”
“My company is preparing for a major investment decision. We need someone who understands both American business practices and Chinese investor expectations.”
“Your company presumably has people who understand those things.”
“We do. But I want an independent perspective.”
“Why me?”
“Because you demonstrated an unusual combination of language ability and analytical thinking.”
Naomi considered him.
“That seems like a conclusion based on one conversation.”
“It was an impressive conversation.”
“You also told me I was pretending to speak Mandarin.”
Victor's jaw shifted.
“I was mistaken.”
“Yes.”
The answer was simple, but it left him nowhere to go.
He changed direction.
“I can offer you a short-term consulting contract. Two weeks initially, with the possibility of extension. The compensation would be substantial.”
“How substantial?”
“Twenty-five thousand dollars for the initial engagement.”
Naomi did not react.
That amount would cover several months of expenses. It would allow her to repair her car, replace her mattress, and rebuild a portion of the savings she had lost during the collapse of her previous career.
But the money was not the question.
“What would you expect me to do?”
“Review our materials, advise us on communication with the Shanghai group, and help identify any concerns that might arise during negotiations.”
“Would I have access to the underlying financial documents?”
“Relevant documents, yes.”
“Would I be permitted to communicate directly with the project team?”
“Within reason.”
“Would I be allowed to document concerns independently?”
Victor paused.
“What do you mean?”
“If I find inconsistencies, would I be allowed to record them in my report without having the conclusions edited for presentation purposes?”
His expression changed.
“Of course.”
“Would the report be delivered to the investors as well as to you?”
“That depends on the nature of the findings.”
“Then the answer is no.”
Victor stared at her.
“You haven't even seen the contract.”
“I don't need to see a contract to understand that you haven't agreed to the condition.”
“You're being unnecessarily suspicious.”
“I'm being precise.”
He looked toward the dining room.
Several customers were watching them, though most quickly returned to their meals when he glanced in their direction.
Victor lowered his voice.
“Naomi, I am offering you a chance to return to a professional career.”
“I didn't ask you to.”
“Don't be foolish. Twenty-five thousand dollars for two weeks of work is an extraordinary opportunity.”
“Perhaps.”
“Then why are you hesitating?”
Naomi took a breath.
“Because I don't know what you're asking me to help you accomplish.”
“I just explained it.”
“You explained the tasks. You haven't explained the purpose.”
Victor's expression hardened.
“The purpose is to secure a major investment.”
“By presenting accurate information?”
“Obviously.”
“Even if the accurate information makes the project less attractive?”
He stared at her.
“That is not a productive question.”
“It is an important one.”
“You have no idea how complicated a project of this size can be.”
“Then it should be evaluated carefully.”
His eyes flashed.
“You think you can walk in from a restaurant and tell me how to run my company?”
“No. I think you offered me a consulting job, and I asked questions about the work.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Victor smiled again.
It was the same smile he had worn the previous evening, the one that tried to disguise irritation as amusement.
“Fine. I'll have my legal department prepare a contract. You can review it.”
Naomi shook her head.