field of nanotechnology. As the CEO of NSurv, I’m always looking for top notch talent.”
Spencer shifted awkwardly in his chair and laughed with a slight irritation noticeable in his voice. “I appreciate your intentions Dave, but I don’t think I could handle all of that remoteness in Idaho. And those winters. My blood is simply too thin for single digit temperatures.”
Noticing the tension in Spencer’s voice Dave knew to drop the topic and move on to a lighter subject. Spencer was always good in subtlety telegraphing his displeasures.
The three were chatting and laughing amicably when the waiter came up to their table. “Is there anything else that I can get for you this evening?” asked the waiter.
Spencer glanced briefly at Dave and Dana before looking up at the waiter. Seeing their eyes acknowledgment that they were done with their dessert and coffee, Spencer said to the waiter, “Thank you, but no, I think we’re all set. We are ready for the check.”
The waiter pulled from his side coat pocket a leather folder containing the bill, presented it to Spencer, and then quickly turned and walked away from the table.
Spencer placed his credit card in the leather folder and laid the folder on the edge of the table for the waiter to pick up.
“Well it has been great seeing the two of you again and I am very pleased to see that you are happily married. We need to stay in better touch going forward.”
“Most definitely,” responded Dana. “As a matter of fact you should come out and pay us a visit sometime soon. Maybe later this spring or summer. We would love to have you out to McCall and stay with us for a while.”
“Yes, I could show you around NSurv to maybe pique your interests in my offer. I could also take you out for some back country flying around Idaho.”
The waiter came up and picked up the leather bill folder from the table. “I’ll be right back sir,” said the waiter to Spencer. Spencer nodded to the waiter in acknowledgement.
Looking back at Dave and Dana he said with a reserved smile, “That sounds great. I’m going to be traveling quite a bit over the next month or so, but when I get back, I’ll give you a call Dave to set up a date to come out and visit the two of you.”
The waiter returned with Spencer’s credit card and receipt. Spencer signed the receipt and then the three made their way to the restaurant lobby area. Due to the late time, the three decided that they would take separate taxis to their respective hotels. Dave and Dana in theirs, and Spencer in his.
After saying their final goodbyes to Spencer, Dana and Dave got into their taxi. “Hotel Munich Palace, bitte,” said Dave to the taxi driver.
On their way back to the hotel, Dana commented to Dave that Spencer seemed more reserved than she had remembered him at Stanford.
“He was always a man of few words,” replied Dave. “But he’s the same old Spencer I remember.”
“I don’t know. It just seemed he was a little more distant than I remember.”
Dave shrugged. “Maybe the loss of his wife has made him a bit quieter. But again, he didn’t seem much different to me.”
They remained silent for the rest of their ride back to the hotel, both comfortable to just look quietly out their respective windows and think to themselves. Dana continued to contemplate about Spencer’s odd demeanor during their dinner, while Dave was anticipating their drive to the Austrian Alps in the morning. He was looking forward to a week of spring skiing and a little rest and relaxation.
Chapter 5 (April 7, Friday 2:00pm, Iran)
A dozen men gathered at the palatial residence of Aref Zarin and were assembled in the basement. The residence was located in the northwest quadrant of Tehran city, Iran. At