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thinking how much she had to know him and how much fun it was having a friend who had that much insight into you. He had thought on many an occasion, that it was a pity there was no chemistry between them as they had such a great friendship. However, they had talked about that many times trying to work out what it was that was missing. They both agreed that they ticked so many boxes for a relationship, but that whatever was missing was something that fell into that category of a je ne sais quoi . They had even talked about having a physical relationship to see whether that took the friendship to a new level, but decided that there was too much of a chance that it would ruin the friendship. In addition, he loved having her as a good friend too much with all the advice that she was able to provide. He was about to check Greg’s message when he heard someone approach from behind him.
    “So you’d like to join me.”
    Christian heard the voice behind him and turned to see that it belonged to a tall attractive woman in a business suit. You knew it was one of those suits which was expensive from its fashionable and tailored cut. Light grey fine wool with very thin pink stripes, shoulders slightly padded, a waist trimly tapered. Christian looked up and smiled.
    “I hope you don’t mind me joining you; it appeared to be the only table that was half free.”
    “Not at all. My name is Petrea Williams and you are...?” She held her hand out.
    “Christian de Villiers.”
    “Haven’t you left out something?” she said, looking down at his overnight bag and smiling.
    Christian looked back at her somewhat puzzled.
    “Isn’t it Dr. Christian de Villiers?”
    “Yes it is.” Christian said smiling. “Sometimes I forget.”
    Thinking that reply sounded very unworldly or falsely humble, Christian quickly added,
    “I hope you don’t have an allergy to doctors.” He partly mumbled trying to remember Sophia’s advice about the need to be confident when it came to the meeting people, strange women in particular.
    “No, no allergies, especially not to good-looking young doctors.”
    Christian could feel Petrea looking at him as she finished her sentence to see what kind of response she received.
    “A bit shy I see, Doctor de Villiers; I like that in a man.” Petrea continued, “I really am teasing you a little, and that’s unfair having only just met you, but it’s a technique that I learned which helps establish really quickly whether there is more behind flashing blue eyes that might be much more interesting. I do suspect in your case, from my quick analysis, that there is.”
    “Well, if you don’t mind me asking, why is it that you need that technique at all?”
    “Fair comment, there must be some surgical inclination in you, Doctor de Villiers, if you cut to the chase that quickly, and if you will forgive the pun. It is partly related to what I do and having to assess people very quickly to decide whether you can trust them or not. I work for the International Criminal Court and most of the people that we deal with through the prosecutor’s office cannot lie straight in bed at night, let alone tell the truth. Not being able to discern the truth can mean for very long days. I have just been back to visit my parents in New Zealand and I am on my way back to The Hague via London.”
    “I have read about the International Criminal Court. It was set to prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.”
    “That’s correct. It was partly in response to the genocide in Rwanda and Serbia. Although we cannot go back and prosecute beyond the date that we were established, which was July 1, 2002. And then we can only get involved with those states or individuals who commit crimes against humanity and war crimes progression if the countries signed the original treaty which is known as the Rome Statute of the International Court.”
    “Have many signed up to the original treaty?” said Christian,