Ten minutes later they were seated in the McLean Greek restaurant. Anita ordered dolmas and a Greek salad. Jack spotted the lamb shank and ordered it with all the trimming. Sitting over strong coffee and baklavas, Jack asked Anita to tell him her story.

“I grew up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania called Greensburg. Not much green about it. A lot of Italians and Poles settled there during the heyday of coal mining and small steel fabricating plants. Industry is now gone. Young people leave as soon as they can. I was one of those.

“I competed on the high school swim and track teams. I could outrun most of the boys. My grades and athletic skills earned me a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh, long before you arrived. I specialized in the 400 and set a state record, broken only last year. I majored in business with a minor in psychology and graduated with honors. I received several job offers, but none of them excited me.

“I wanted to travel and experience some adventures before kids and a house in the burbs. The Army interested me, and after the usual processing and waiting, I went into the Army’s Officers’ Candidate Program. Finishing near the top of my class, I was accepted into Ranger training. I loved it and did well. Ten years of Special Ops followed.

“In the invasion of Iraq, I was inserted way in front of the main battle group. The small Ranger Group I was with did well. We all received decorations. I have some shrapnel scars on my left thigh.”

“Are you seeing anyone special?”

“Mr. Brandon, are you hitting on me?”

Jack laughed and said, “Any red-blooded man would at least think about it. Maybe over dinner but not lunch. Besides you are one lethal woman.”

“Any woman likes to be wanted, but I was pulling your chain. Several years difference in our ages, and you are not the oldest. May I assume you had another reason to ask about my love life?”

“Yes. I was probing your willingness to travel on short notice and spend long periods of time out of touch with a loved one.”

“It’s the nature of my profession. When the need is there, I am ready to go. Two months ago I broke a long-term relationship because he couldn’t deal with my absences and inability to make and stick to a schedule. I’ve recently met a man I like a lot but need more time. He is a retired army colonel with a Special Forces background. I like to be with men, but don’t need them, but I’m getting to the point where a house in the burbs with kids does appeal to me. Did I answer your question?”

“Yes.”

“Is it my turn?”

“Sure, ask away.”

“Why aren’t you seeing someone? Are you still in love with your first wife?”

“No way! I can’t even remember what she looks like.”

“What’s the problem then? I thought you and Kathy would be a perfect match.”

“I guess I don’t want to move too fast.”

Anita burst into laughter. “Too fast! If you move any slower, the poor girl will wonder what’s wrong with her!”

Jack laughed with her and said, “Okay. Enough ‘eat and tell’ for one day. Go look over what we have.”

***

Buy “Justice Beyond Law” on Amazon, as well as the rest of the Jack Brandon series and other books by Barry Kelly, a former CIA agent and adviser to President Reagan.