Paul smiled at Kat echoing his compliment, nodding his acknowledgment.  When she asked about the meeting he'd pretended to have with a Camp Hope contributor, he told her, "It [i]was[/i] good, thank you.  I learned a great deal I didn't already know.  Should make for a good article.  And yes, I will definitely pass on your appreciation."  

He asked how the money would be used, and they spent the next many minutes discussing the many great things her charity did for the people of Boston.  Paul listened closely to all Kat had to say, because he had an honest interest in what she did professionally ... and, of course, because he had an honest interest in her personally.  But he also had a job to do, and he never lost sight of what had brought him to Boston in the first place.

"So, I wanted to talk to you about something," Paul began as their dinner plates were being cleared.  He wore the devilish smirk of someone about to ask a big favor.  "I've been putting this off because I didn't want you to think this was the reason for my asking you to dinner.  I assure you ... my reason for wanting to be with you this evening ... is to be with you."

He smiled, pausing in case she wished to respond before he went on, "I've been trying to get interviews with some people I think you know.  I like to think all I have to do is call an office and identify myself ... and these folk will scramble over one another for the chance to talk to me, but..."  

He laughed at his feigned self importance, gave the waiter a moment to place their chosen desserts before them, then continued.  He identified three men and a woman -- all of whom had been at the event last evening -- with whom he'd been trying to get appointment.  Only two of them were Syndicate targets; but the third man was a regular Chess partner of a reclusive target; and the woman -- while married to no one of consequence -- met with another man every Wednesday for a little afternoon delight that, unfortunately for Paul, occurred at a different location each week.  If he could meet with any one of these people, he might be one step closer to adding another millionaire to his retirement fund.

"You don't have to do this, Kat," Paul told her quickly before she had a chance to respond.  "In [i]fact[/i] ... if asking this of you will in [i]any[/i] way prevent me from seeing you again, I'd rather you didn't help me with it at all."

He spoke the last line with the obvious tone of a man yearning for a second date...