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The first soldier had called one of his officers as soon as the girl identified herself. In rapid succession, more senior officers had appeared until a colonel insisted they come with him.
Waverly quickly noticed that all the attention was centered on the girl. The first doctor at the airport treated her scraped shoulder before attending to the other victims outside. Though she introduced herself as Cat Cato, the military addressed her deferentially as Miss Cato. The colonel briefly asked Waverly if he recognized any of the rebel hardware. Without hesitation, Waverly identified the Chinese-made CS-23s and named both helicopter types.
The girl emerged from the women's lounge in a fresh blouse. "What did you say you did for a living, Mr. Waverly?" she asked as she walked in. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and amusement as he answered the colonel's questions. She seemed to be on amicable terms with the interrogators.
"Please... call me Newt," he began. "I'm in investments... finance... mostly on an international level."
"I'd say so," she mused. "That must be some company you work for... to develop a working knowledge of all that weaponry."
Waverly managed a sheepish expression. "It's just a hobby."
She smiled politely, unconvinced.
"But what about you? I've certainly enjoyed the reception in Panama since we were brought into this lounge. I'd say the only person in the Guardia who didn't seem to know you was that first soldier we met....but he surely knew your name!"
"Cat is short for Catalina. I also have three other family names to go along with Catalina, but it's the Cato they recognized. I'm with the National Bank of Panama....international finance also." She grinned. "But I couldn't identify any weapons these rebels used today." She looked at him coyly. "Maybe something is missing from my training program."
Considering what she'd just gone through, she seemed perfectly under control. He was fascinated. "I'll explain it to you sometime," Waverly pursed his lips thoughtfully. "This is a hell of a way to meet, and I don't suppose you're susceptible to another pass...but I think we'd enjoy getting to know each other under better circumstances. I guess tonight isn't exactly the right time, after all that happened today, but...."
"Mr. Waverly...."
"Newt...please."
"Newt, how could I say no after what you've done for me? Besides, I'd love to know more about you and this company you work for." She smiled curiously. "And I can't see anything wrong with tonight either. I think I'd like to be with someone this evening, I'd rather be not by myself."
"What about your family....after all this special treatment?"
"My mother is dead, for many years. And my father's in Fortaleza del Pueblo giving a seminar. I am alone...so I'd love to have dinner with you tonight." This time her expression was warm, no longer amused. "I do owe you something for what you've done for me, so I'll be your guide while you're in Panama."
Waverly wasn't quite sure how to respond. But before he could, the colonel approached. "Miss Cato, we have a car for you outside."
"Come on," she said as she stood up, holding her hand out to him. "I'll have you dropped off at your hotel."
The long black limousine left him at his hotel only after he'd been fitted for new clothes by Mr. Cato's tailor. A new suit would be delivered by six that evening. The chauffeur would return for him at seven-thirty.93Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxsIJNFAUg
