Val stood and started to pace the room. She seemed so full of bound energy that it was surprising the small apartment could contain her. Mai took a seat, giving her more room and watching her.

“How did you know?” Val said.

“Besides the personality changes? Well, one big clue, it’s the French Quarter. You’ve stopped drinking,” Mai said.

“Then others have noticed.”

“Val, you have a bad habit of making statements of things that should be questions. No, I don’t think anyone else has noticed. One, most of them don’t know what to look for. Two, everyone has been wrapped up in their own business.”

“But not you?”

Mai shrugged and clasped her hands in her lap.

“For the most part, I’ve been feeling a little lost. As much as I enjoy the area, and the company, I haven’t really heard anything from back home lately. Not even a request for updates. My days are my own and really beginning to drag.”

“Must not be easy, being a spy,” Val said.

Val’s tone was sarcastic, but some of the teasing was creeping back in.

“I prefer to think of myself as a double agent, or at least a double entendre. I mean how much of a spy can I be when I told Griffen that’s why I’m here?” Mai said.

“One of the reasons you are here, and you didn’t really tell him much of that.”

“Hey, if I’m bored, maybe I should get a job like you! Need another relief bartender?”

“Nice change of subject, but with the fortune-cookie mystique, you could probably make more as a fortune-teller.”

Val grinned, and Mai smiled secretively. With dramatic motions, Mai draped the back of one hand over her forehead and held the other out toward Val, fingers spread. Val tensed as the motions were aimed at her stomach.

“The wise one sees all and knows all. What lurks in your secret heart! Hear her words and tremble,” Mai said.