A Deeper Dimension by Amanda Carpenter

of a cage, bruising itself on the hard metal. Alex put a gentle hand under her elbow and guided her back to the table, talking harmless light conversation that needed no reply or response, until they reached the table where Owen and Grace sat.
    Grace’s eyes were bright. “That looked like so much fun!” she said happily. “It was almost as much fun as if I’d danced it myself!” Diana looked at her but could not reply.
    Alex said smoothly, “It was fun, Grace. Diana and I enjoyed it very much.” He looked around. “Would you like to go on up now, or would you like another drink first?”
    Everybody decided to go on up to dinner, so there was a bustle for several minutes as they went up to the main floor for the meal. Diana ended up seated across from Alex, with Grace and Owen seated at opposite ends. The meal as things progressed was delightful and temptingly arranged, cooked to perfection. Talk flowed freely and lightly around the table. Alex and Owen had Grace and Diana laughing so hard that they were near to choking and had to beg the two men to kindly shut up until they had finished their meal. It was not until after dinner, when the coffee was being served, that Owen brought up something that had been in the back of Diana’s mind all evening.
    “So, Alex,” he stared into his coffee as he spoke, “what do you think Payne will do now?”
    Alex’s face darkened and Diana saw a glimpse of the fury that he had tried so hard to keep suppressed. “I don’t know. He probably has his spies that have informed him that we have our Philadelphia foundry back in working condition. He’s got to know that now he’s got no chance. I have armed security guards at both foundries both day and night…you know, I could kill that bastard with my bare hands.” It was said lightly, almost conversationally, as if he had been discussing something so minor as the weather, but she looked down at Alex’s big hands and thought of the strength in them and shivered. Remembering the frustrated anger she had felt herself over the past month or so, she had no doubt that she probably would want to help him murder Payne.
    Tension was in the air and Diana made an effort to ease things a bit. “So,” she said brightly, “when do we take out contract on him?” She put one elbow on the table and gestured with her hand. Everyone had looked at her in surprise. She continued, “I know this fellow, he’s really good with knives, a little expensive, but I’m sure we could work something out…?” She looked around the table enquiringly. Grace had begun to laugh helplessly at the ridiculous look on Diana’s face, and one eyelid dropped drolly as she turned to Alex. Owen chuckled and Alex after a moment was prodded into a smile, albeit a reluctant one. She was pleased to see the glow of rage in Alex’s eyes fade away and he relaxed in his chair.
    Diana looked pleased. Things had mellowed out nicely and Grace started to chatter about something else when some instinct made her look to Alex. He was watching her closely, one eyebrow cocked ever so slightly with a crooked smile twisting one side of his mouth. She lifted her eyebrows back at him and gave a tiny shrug as if to say, “What else could I have done?” His shoulders shook faintly, and although his face was serious, she knew he was laughing. She turned her attention back to Grace.
    They broke the dinner party up early since the next day was Friday, meaning work for Diana, Alex and Owen. Everyone walked out to the parking lot together, still talking, reluctant to end what had been a pleasant evening. Grace said to Diana, “You simply must come and see me some time soon, dear. I’ve enjoyed this evening so much.”
    Diana promised warmly, “I’d love to come and see you some time! What time is best for you? Weekends are the easiest for me.”
    Grace looked pleased. “Weekends are just fine, dear. Is Sunday afternoon too soon?”
    Alex interrupted the conversation smoothly.