Page 44 of Brutal King

I went to her, took her hand in mine, closed the door, then turned her in the direction of her bedroom. “Look, had I known that you’d worked late last night, I wouldn’t have come by so early. Why don’t you get out of this lovely, yet clearly restrictive dress, get back into bed and I’ll stay here and get some work done.”

I guided her to her open bedroom door. “Tell you what, I’ll continue the work you began last night... checking out other nearby restaurants. I brought my laptop, so I’ll be able to go online and check out their menus.”

She nodded. “You’d do that?” she said with tired surprise.

“There’s no point driving all the way out there when you are so clearly exhausted. You’ll get more work done with a clear and well rested head.”

She hid another yawn behind her hand. “I guess you’re right. Another hour or so of sleep would be good.”

I forced a friendly and understanding smile. “Then go. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“All right.” She walked into her room and prepared to close the door. “Thanks, Kobe. I really appreciate you being so understanding.”

“No problem.”

She closed the door, and I returned to the living area.

Before I settled down to do any kind of work, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to look around. I knew that Trent had driven her back home, but had he come to her dorm room? Had he come in? Had he spent time here? Alone? With her?

I sniffed the air for a trace of his cologne. Nothing. I looked around for something he might have left behind; a sock, a lighter... his underwear.

Nothing.

Good. But then again, I hadn’t seen much of Kat’s room. I’d have to check that out once she got up again.

Partially satisfied that he hadn’t come in, I pulled my laptop out of my bag and set it on the coffee table. Before sitting down to work, I went to her mini kitchen, dropped a pod in her coffee machine and made myself a nice, hot cup of coffee.

Now. Let’s get to work.

I sat down and did a search of the Napa Valley and all the restaurants in the area. Virtually every style of food could be found, but it was clear that there was room for a spot like Ginger. I checked the various menus, jotted down several interesting items they offered and also took note of what they didn’t offer. I know Kat already worked on the menu, but I wanted to work on coming up with some signature dishes as well.

Taking a break from the project, I checked my emails then surfed on the net. I checked out my newsfeed to see what was new. Trivial stuff here, not much there and then... something that had me sitting up and interested.

Lee Family Restaurants opens Another Restaurant in California’s Napa Valley. Introducing a Taste of Asian fusion... Ginger.

So the Lee family was making the news... again. A restaurant couldn’t ask for a better promo than that. That put us one step ahead of the other students and their project.

Nestled amid the luscious green vineyards of the Napa Valley, Ginger, is poised to be the hip hotspot that is sure to attract the trendy youth of the region.

Well said. Just putting out there the fact that Ginger would attract trendy young people was sure to do just that. Every hip kid was going to want to eat there.

While the menu hasn’t yet been divulged, word has it that Ginger will offer its take on Asian fusion. All that’s missing is a talented chef to ensure the food lives up to the hype.

Under the management of Trent Howard, son of Chef Gregory Howard, once Head Chef of Intercontinental Hotel’s Orchid House, Ginger will be in good hands.

I stared at the article. Gregory Young. I’d heard the name before, but where? I mentally went through all my friends’ parents, then my father’s friends, then any other acquaintance from the past few years.

Then it hit me; Taryn. She had once mentioned a young chef her brother, Bobby, had hired for his restaurant in New York City. I remembered because he was not only young, but a Howard... Gregory Howard.

I dug deep into my memory to try to find what she’d said of him. Was he a good guy? A jerk? A hard worker?

“Ha!” I let out as I remembered Taryn’s exact words. ‘He was an octopus.’ Yes. Taryn had said her brother had had to fire him for constantly coming onto the female staff. He’d hit on virtually every young woman Bobby had hired.

So Trent’s father was a sexual predator. And what of Trent? Was he like his father? Were his hands always reaching out to touch fresh flesh?

I slammed my laptop shut and headed to the kitchen. I looked at the coffee machine. No. The last thing I needed was another cup of coffee. I was pumped enough as it was.

But I hadn’t had breakfast, and I was sure Kat would be hungry when she got up. Maybe I could impress her with my cooking; maybe even come up with something that could be served at Ginger.