Part 83 (1/2)

The Oyster Bar resides on the second lower level of Grand Cen- tral Station, located eighty feet beneath Park Avenue and 42nd

Street It had become a fairly chic restaurant bar in the '80's; the seafood was fresh, and occasionally excellent The patronage of the bar ranged from the commuter who desperately quaffed doo or threeambi- ence The weathered hardalls were decorated with huge stuffed crabs, swordfish, lifesavers and a pot pourri of fishi+ng accouter nets that occasionally dragged too low for anyone taller than 6 feet

Away from the bar patrons could dine or drink in privacy, with dih the darkness

Tyrone was sitting at such a table, drink in hand when Scott craned his neck froh the crowd He areet hiive it a try As usual Tyrone was elegant- ly attired, in a custoner shi+rt and a stylish silk tie of the proper width

Scott was dressed just fine as far as he was concerned His sneakers were clean, his jeans didn't have holes and the sweater would have gained him admission to the most private ski parties in Vermont Maybe they were too different and their friendshi+p had been an unexplainable social aberration; an accident

Scott's stohtened His body memory recalled the tih school for spreading liquid banana peel on the hall floors and then ringing the fire drill alar and sliding and crawling out of the school still estured at a waiter while asking Scott for his preference

”Corona, please”

Tyrone took charge ”Waiter, another double and a Corona” He waved the waiter away ”That's better” Tyrone was already slightly inebriated ”I guess you think I'reed ”I guess you could put it that way”

Scott was iht manner ”I can think of a bunch more words that fit the bill” At least Tyrone adht direction

Ty laughed ”Yeah, I bet you could, and you ulp fro neck bottle”

”Ease on down the road!” Ty held his half e Scott slowly lifted his and their drinks ain, and an aard silence followed

”Well, I guess it's up to me to explain, isn't it?” Tyrone ven- tured

”You don't have to explain anything I understand,” Scott said caustically

”I don't think you do, my friend May I at least have my last words before you shoot?” Tyrone's joviality was not as effective when nervous

Scott re only days before He eased up ”Sure, ready and ai” Tyrone's face showed disappointna- tion

The beer bottle at Scott's lips was abruptly laid on the table

”Quitting? The FBI?” Tyrone nodded ”Why? What happened?”

For one ry he was

The din of the Oyster Bar made for excellent cover They could speak freely withstory, but it began when they pulled your article

God, I'm sorry, man,” Tyrone said with empathy The furrows on his forehead deepened as he searched for a reaction fro

Ty finished off his drink and started on the refill ”Unlike what you probably believe, or want to believe, when you calledabout It was several hours before I realized what had happened If I had any idea”