"“Yes, Leonard, always nice to hear from you.”

Paulina didn't feel there was any patronization in her tone.  She talked the same to Leonard as she did to anyone else with a modicum of status.  And although others with less sophistication—men, particularly—might comment on Leonard's two-toned vowels, she barely noticed them.  She respected his abilities.  She also found his tact a refreshing change, in an industry jammed with large egos.

“Mm-hmm, Leonard.  Sandy showed me the pictures.  Of course I understand.  No, I know you wouldn't try to tell me how to do my job.  He's just...”

Paulina drummed her fingers on the patio table.

“No, I'm sorry, I can't make lunch today.  Yes, Leonard, I know how close the Galapagos Cafe is.  Mm-hmm.  Love their food.  Just send my regrets.  I really have too much to finish up here...”

“The pictures?  Of course you can have them.  Gabriela will let you in.   Mm-hmm.  'Bye.”

Paulina's face had an unaccustomed tightness as she put down the phone.  She did not like being second-guessed—much less overseen.

She opened the manila envelope and took out the photograph.  As before, something about the man made it difficult for her to really look at him.  What Sandy may have considered a "healthy animal" quality struck Paulina as coarse and repellant.  What made her the most uneasy, though, was the focused intensity of the eyes.

She put the picture hurriedly back in its envelope and reached for a chocolate mint cookie.