Page 10 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

They walked around the Museum, Cole holding her hand the whole time but allowing her to stop at whatever paintings caught her fancy, all the while watching her face as if he was waiting for something.

She stopped in front of a Kandinsky frowning and he laughed.

“Do you not like Modernism?” He asked and she screwed her face up.

“I’m not sure I really get it.” She replied and he laughed again.

“Maybe you’re all arted out for one day?” He said. “How about we head back to the Hotel, grab some lunch and just relax for a few hours?”

“Relax? With you?” She teased.

“We’ll be heading back tomorrow. I have something special planned for this evening.” He stated.

“What?” She asked and he just shook his head.

“Wait and see.” He replied leading her from the room and towards the exit and she felt her stomach turn into a bundle of nerves.

Maddie stood beside Cole,wrapped up in a tight camel coloured wool Burberry Coat that he’d evidently had bought for her. Wherever they were headed she suspected it was somewhere outside because he’d vetoed the silk dress she wanted to wear saying she’d be too cold and instead pulled a pair of dark jeans and deep plunging blouse like top that she paired with the same ankle boots as before.

The black Cadillac pulled up outside and one of the Hotel staff immediately rushed down to open the door for her.

She climbed in, sliding across the leather seat and Cole shut the door beside her.

He was smirking again, enjoying the nervousness in her and she half wanted to smack him. The drive was long, partly because of the traffic and partly because it turned out they needed to get across the river.

“Where are we going?” She asked him but he just grinned and refused to say.

They pulled up down a nondescript street and Cole got out first, taking her hand before leading her down to where a man stood, waiting by the pier.

“Good evening.” He said.

Cole nodded to him and Maddie smiled before they both climbed on board the boat.

“A river trip?” She said and he shook his head.

“Not just any river trip.” He stated as the boat’s engine roared to life and they began sailing quickly upstream. She felt her eyes widening as she saw what was ahead.

“Seriously?” She gasped and he couldn’t help but grin then.

“No visit to New York is complete without seeing it, and as this is your first time here I thought you might want to get a proper view.”

“Cole.” She gasped looking at the illuminated statue against the darkening sky.

“Nothing like a bit of American Nostalgia to finish the trip.” He said and she giggled at the tone of his voice.

The boat pulled up, cutting the engine and Maddie frowned.

“I thought you weren’t allowed tours anymore.” She said and Cole laughed loudly.

“Oh Maddie.” He said taking her hand and helping her from the boat onto the island.

“Cole.” A man said stepping forward and Cole held his hand out to shake his.

“Maddie this is George Murphy, Director for New York’s FBI office. He’ll be giving us a private tour.” Cole said.

Maddie’s eyes widened. “Jesus.” She muttered looking back at Cole.

George laughed at her reaction.

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