Family Man

McCoy confided proudly. “So far they've gone over surprisingly well. It's amazing how many of our regular restaurant patrons have stopped eating meat. Not that we'll be abandoning the traditional menu any time soon. Tourists and conventioneers still want their steaks and chops, of course.”
    “Of course,” Katy said, still pink-cheeked. “Benedict Dalton is the new chef, isn't he?”
    “Yes. Great credentials. The man is truly brilliant in the kitchen. We're lucky to have him with us.” McCoy turned to Luke. “I'll rein in the wait staff. Sorry about that. They're a good bunch. Just a little overeager at times.”
    “Right.” Luke nodded in dismissal, and McCoy hurried off toward the kitchen.
    “Honestly, Luke, you have been in an absolutely rotten mood lately, and it's getting worse.” Katy frowned in concern. “Is something wrong?”
    “No.”
    “Are you sure? Are you worried about how we'll manage without Fraser? Is that what's bothering you?”
    “Trust me, we're going to get along just fine without Stanfield.” Luke picked up his menu. “McCoy had better not let his new chef get carried away with this vegetarian kick. Most of the population still wants meat.”
    “I'm sure he won't get carried away,” Katy said soothingly. “Gilchrist has always given the individual chefs and restaurant managers a lot of freedom to create their own menus.”
    “Everyone knows you can't turn a chef completely loose in the kitchen. They're temperamental prima donnas. You've got to control them, or they get all kinds of crazy ideas.”
    Katy grabbed her napkin and used it to muffle the sound of her laughter.
    “What's so funny?” Luke looked up from the menu.
    “A Gilchrist complaining about someone else's temperamental nature.” She managed to stifle the laughter, squashing it to the point where she was only giggling. She put down the napkin. “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.”
    “I'm glad you're amused.”
    “When one hangs out with Gilchrists one has to get one's jollies where one can. By the way, where is Fraser going?”
    Luke blinked slowly. “Why?”
    “Because he's a friend, and I've been working with him closely for the past six months, and I thought it was odd that he left with so little notice. That's why.”
    “Beats me. He just told me that now that everything was under control at Gilchrist he was going to accept a long-standing offer from another firm.” Unlike Katy, Luke reflected, he could lie without blushing.
    Katy looked thoughtful. “Are you certain that was the reason he left?”
    “You think there might have been another reason?” Luke asked smoothly.
    “Well, no, I suppose not. It's just that he kept asking me what your plans were. He wanted me to keep him fully informed.”
    “The hell he did.” Luke closed his menu and folded his arms on the white tablecloth. “He asked you for inside information?”
    Katy's brows drew together in a tiny frown. “I wouldn't put it quite like that. After all, he was an insider himself.”
    “No,” Luke stated, “he was not. He was an employee. Nothing more. What did you tell him? Did you mention the investigation I was doing?” But he already knew the answer to that, Luke thought. Katy had obviously not warned Stanfield of the computer investigation. Stanfield would have either tried to cover his tracks or resigned before being discovered.
    “You told me not to say anything about it,” Katy said equably, “so I didn't. But if you want my opinion, Luke, I think you're inclined to be much too secretive.”
    “Katy, I think it's time we had a talk,” Luke began determinedly. But before he could complete the statement he spotted a familiar couple advancing through the crowded restaurant. “Damn.”
    “Now what's wrong?” Katy followed his gaze. “It's Maureen and Hayden. They must be here for dinner.”
    “You were right,” Luke muttered. “Coming here tonight was a mistake.” He resigned himself to the inevitable as his aunt and uncle approached the table.
    Maureen and Hayden, both dressed in their customary black, sauntered like royalty through the restaurant. They walked straight toward Luke and Katy, pulled out the two extra chairs at the table, and sat down.
    “We were told you were dining here tonight,” Hayden said without preamble.
    “Is that right?” Luke arched a brow. “Who told you that?
    “Your secretary at the corporate office.”
    “That's the last time I ask her to make reservations