Heart pounding, Charlotte slipped the phone back into her pocket. Her hands were slightly shaking. The reality of the situation began to set in. She was in effect a body treading water, in the depths of the ocean, all the people around her sharks, circling, waiting to take a bite. This was dangerous. So much so that her friend in the CIA was giving a warning. Which she hardly ever did. Not even when she visited dangerous countries.

"Everyone ok?" Liam asked, glancing at Charlotte.

She had suddenly shifted in her mood, he could feel it. He'd have to wait to see who had texted her until later.

"Yeah. It's fine."

She answered too hastily, and didn't even bother to look at him, unlike earlier. Liam frowned. He hoped no one was bothering her again. The mission had shifted, so everyone on the team knew to hang back. But she had awoken the stones in the temple. Liam knew what that meant, and who could be after her now.

"This is it."

He pointed her towards a bar and grill to the left of them. Loud music was playing, and it made Charlotte hesitate. She wouldn't be able to hear him if they ate there. Reading her thoughts, he held up a finger and strode to the bar. The bartender nodded as Liam leaned in to speak. He disappeared as Liam walked back to Charlotte. The music quieted to a dull whisper.

"Good?" He asked, amusement in his eyes.

Charlotte nodded, grateful for the quiet. Liam led her to a tucked away booth overlooking the runways. They sat across from each other, both searching the other's face.

"Let me know when you're ready to order," a peppy waitress said, interrupting the moment.

"Two burgers, fries and waters," Liam replied, handing her the menus.

"Alright."

As the waitress bounced away, Charlotte scoffed. "You didn't let me look at the menu."

"Nope. You'll like the burger and fries though, I promise."

She let out a snort. He was so cocky, and sure of himself. Exactly the type she'd expect to lead security for the US's biggest airport. And the type she avoided when dating.

"So, what questions do you have for me?"

"Just get right into it?" She frowned, "I thought we'd eat first."

"This isn't a date," he retorted.

Of course, it's not, she mused.

"Fine."

She pulled out her notebook and flipped it to a dog-eared section. They could dive right in, it made things simpler.

"There's a bus company, the one who stopped to rescue me from the wreck.."

"Trinity Bus Company," he corrected.

"Yes, Trinity Bus Company. Who owns them? Why can't I find their footprint online anywhere except from a section of DIA's webpage?"

The waitress returned with their food, plopping the plates down in front of them.

"Thanks," Liam said, winking at the woman.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. Of course, he'd do that. Arrogant ass.

"Well, I'm no internet expert. I have no idea why they aren't showing up online. It's a legit company owned locally. DIA likes to outsource to Denver based companies more than the bigger corporate ones. Sustainability and all that shit."

"But who owns them?" She pressed.

"I don't know off the top of my head. I'll have to ask the head of transportation."

He took a huge bite of his burger, playfully watching Charlotte as she held her pen midair, poised to write information he wasn't willing to part with. He knew he was irritating her.

"Fine," she conceded.

Taking suite, she began to eat her food as well. It was as good as Liam said.

Darn him.

He watched her face as she ate. She was skilled, he concluded, at keeping her emotions in check. More so than the average person. It was a good trait to posses and he admired someone who could learn a skill like this. The position he was in demanded it. But he often failed to find it in others.

"What?" She asked, swallowing a bite.

"Something wrong?" He replied, amused.

He was definitely looking at her, watching her.

"No. Not in the slightest," she countered, keeping eyes on him as she slipped a fry into her mouth.

Liam smirked and resumed eating. This was going to be fun, he just knew it.

"So, do you have a security background?"

If I can't get him to tell me anything about the buses, I'll get him to talk about himself, she thought.

"I do and I don't," he replied, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Why do you ask when you know I'm the head of security?"

"That doesn't mean anything! You could've been hired for a plethora of reasons. Diversity hire, disability status.."

"So now you're implying I'm disabled in some way? You can see I'm white, just like you, so no diversity here."

Charlotte snorted again, he was humorous too, in a sarcastic way.

"I'm not saying you have an obvious disability. There are so many. Hearing impaired is one, for instance."

"My hearing is fine. It has to be, to do this job."

Charlotte felt a wave of irritation wash over her. She needed a different approach. He was making this difficult.

"I'm only asking because of I'd like to know a little of your background. If I'm to work with you, interview you in an informal way like Zach suggested at the dinner last night, it would be nice to know who I'm talking to," she said pointedly. "I'm not trying to find out what your favorite food is or where you want to take a first date."

Liam relaxed in the booth, letting his arms rest on the table. He softened his facial expressions and looked intently at Charlotte.

"My favorite food is what we're eating now, burgers and fries. And my ultimate first date spot would be dinner and then a movie. I like to put my arm around a girl."

If the sarcasm had been any worse, she might have gotten up to leave. But since Liam was smiling after he said it, Charlotte chuckled. Charm had won her over.

"Noted. But seriously, why can't you tell me something, anything, about yourself?"

"I was born in North Carolina. Only child. Went off to the Army after high school. Fast forward to today, and here I am, head of security at DIA."

Charlotte blinked. She hadn't expected him to divulge that much.

"Is that enough background for you?" He asked.

Not wanting to overplay her hand, she nodded. It would do for now. She could dig up dirt from there.

"Yes, thank you."

The peppy waitress was back again, this time with the check and a few chocolate mints, which she plopped in from of Liam. Charlotte cleared her throat as she watched the two interact. If she were on a date, this scene would probably make her angry. But she wasn't so she just observed.

"Come back anytime.." the waitress cooed, winking at Liam.

Giving his best smile, he climbed out of the booth.

"Care to go for a walk? You can ask me any airport questions you might have that you didn't think to ask Zach," he said "Or even ones you already did."

This put a smile on Charlotte's face. She hoped he'd offer to take her around.

"Sounds good."

They began to walk towards the awful murals that adorned a part of the mail terminals. The colors screamed out from between the sea of people busying themselves with airport etiquette. No one seemed to notice the macabre among them.

"I bet you hate the artwork huh?" Liam teased.

"It's..different. That's for sure."

"Zach give you some phony speeches on how innovative it is and how that artist is cutting edge?"

Charlotte softly laughed. There was a rivalry there.

"Yes and no. Mostly progressive than innovative. And the artist is local. Was he wrong?"

"Hell, yes he was wrong. These things are creepy as fuck. I have no issues stating the obvious."

Charlotte laughed out loud. "You have a more realistic viewpoint."

"All I deal with is realism, working in security. Call it like it is."

They wandered onwards, chatting about how crowded it was. Apparently this was another peak flying day, and Charlotte was witnessing the 'gauntlet' as Liam put it. A massive infusion of passengers that would dissipate within a few short hours. She never knew there was a science to airports. Liam was well versed.

"And then, you definitely saw the time capsule, right?"

They approached the large stone with Freemason images inscribed on top.

"Yes. I've seen this as well."

"And what do you think?"

"I can't figure out what or who is the New World Airport Commission."

Liam laughed this time. "Not what, but who. Exactly."

"Who are they?" Charlotte pressed.

"If you find out, let me know. I'm not into such conspiracy theories. It was most likely some idiot's idea when making the plaque. To freak people out."

"Come on! Seriously? You think it was a joke?"

He nodded, "why not? People have done dumber things during the construction of this airport. And pranks were common back then."

"Were they really?" Charlotte muttered to herself.

"Would you be interested in coming back tomorrow? I have a meeting I need to get to."

"Sure, tomorrow is good. What for though?"

"I'd like to show you the airport's Conspiracy Theories Uncovered gallery."