Gold lanterns cast warm patterns across the walls, while dark wood panels framed enormous windows overlooking Manhattan. Handcrafted ceramic dishes stood beside crystal glasses, and a centerpiece of white flowers rested along the table.
The restaurant's executive chef had prepared a lavish menu.
Saffron lamb.
Spiced rice.
Grilled seafood.
Fresh flatbread.
And elaborate desserts decorated with pistachios and delicate sugarwork.
Amara entered before the guests arrived and checked every place setting.
The thick leather agreement was already resting near the head of the table.
She recognized the company's emblem on the cover.
Her heart began pounding.
Then the elevator opened.
Faisal Al-Rashid entered with three advisers.
He was shorter than she'd expected, but his presence filled the room. He spoke confidently, moving between Arabic and English as he greeted the restaurant manager and settled into the chair reserved for him.
Richard Kessler arrived moments later.
Amara recognized him immediately.
He wore a charcoal suit and a bright blue tie.
Behind him came Victor Langley.
The attorney looked almost exactly as he had eleven months earlier.
Silver-rimmed glasses.
Perfectly arranged hair.
And a smile that suggested everyone around him existed primarily to make his work easier.
Amara lowered her eyes.
Neither man recognized her at first.
She was dressed differently.
Her hair was covered.
And they hadn't expected to encounter the language analyst they forced out of a legal services firm working as a waitress in an expensive restaurant.
For a moment, she felt something close to bitter amusement.
They could erase a name from a document.
But they couldn't stop the person behind that name from standing directly beside them.
Dinner began smoothly.
Faisal discussed shipping volumes, expected returns, and the strategic importance of the Newark terminal.
His advisers described Crescent Horizon's plans to expand refrigerated cargo operations and develop additional connections to European and Middle Eastern markets.
Kessler presented financial forecasts.
Victor explained the transaction timetable.
The conversation sounded confident.
Too confident.
Amara moved quietly between the guests, refilling water glasses and serving dishes.
Then she heard Kessler mention Parcel Seven.
He described it as an integrated portion of Meridian's terminal infrastructure.
One of Faisal's advisers asked whether the title and operating rights were fully cleared for the proposed acquisition.
Kessler smiled.
"Completely."
Amara's fingers tightened around the water pitcher.
Victor nodded.
"All material consents have been addressed."
She looked toward the leather agreement.
The document remained closed.
Faisal seemed satisfied.
Then he asked whether the original partnership language had been reviewed in Arabic.
Victor assured him that bilingual specialists had examined the historical agreements.