Part 25 (1/2)
”Sure, why not?”
”Well, once I'm off my s.h.i.+ft all I want to do is get the h.e.l.l out of here. And someone could come over and interrupt us. I'm a magnet for all the drunks and deadbeats.”
On this Wednesday night, the Wild River was packed, shouts and laughter arising from every table. A mechanical bull-riding contest was underway, the action of the evening.
”What did you tell Trevor?” she asked.
”He's working late. I told him you wanted to get together-girl stuff. He believed me. Why wouldn't he? And he can call my cell. Doubt if he will though.”
”She said she'd be here by seven. She knows the place, though I guess she's only been in here once before.”
”What's her name?”
”The name she gave me is Sue. Something tells me it's not her given name though. Nate says she's good at what she does.”
”Any reason he picked a woman?”
”Don't know. Maybe he's worried I'll get interested if I hang around another guy too much.”
”I thought you told him the detective was for one of your customers?”
”Yeah, but I'm not sure he believed me. Hey, I have no idea why he picked a woman. If you don't like her, I can-”
”No, it doesn't make any difference to me. Actually, it might be better. I'm just a little nervous about all this, that's all.”
”I think it's cool that I get to meet her,” said Caroline.
”Well, of course you should meet her. My story will be that she's a friend of yours, in case Trevor sees us together. That okay?”
”No prob'.”
”You want to get something to eat?” I asked. ”I'm not hungry, but you must be.”
”I was just about to suggest that. Maybe some ribs and chicken. How's that sound?”
”As good as anything. Order a salad too. That might be all I can eat.”
”Done.”
Caroline stuck two fingers in her mouth and let go a shrill whistle. All heads in the immediate vicinity turned in her direction. She hooked her finger at a waitress. ”Hey, Vicki. When you get a minute.”
By seven, we'd finished the salad and ribs and were licking our fingers. As it turned out, I was hungrier than I thought. I kept watching the door, not sure what this detective would look like. Caroline had described the exact location of our table to her, along with an imprecise description of each of us.
”I wonder how old she is?” I said.
Caroline shrugged. ”Let's guess, and then ask her.”
”I'm not doing that. Don't do that.”
”I was kidding. Boy, you are a bundle of nerves.”
”You got that right.”
A large group came through the door, but scattered and found tables. ”Where is she?” I said. ”It's five minutes after seven according to that clock.”
Caroline shook her head. ”That's bar time. That clock runs fast. Check your watch.”
”Hi,” said a voice just behind me. ”Caroline?”
I looked up to see a straight-haired blonde of medium height, decked out in a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, jeans, and a beaded denim s.h.i.+rt. She wore a tan and sungla.s.ses, though the sun had gone down a while ago. I guessed her to be in her early to mid-thirties.
”That would be me,” said Caroline.
The woman thrust out her hand, ringless, but on her wrist she wore a beaded bracelet. ”I'm Sue,” she said with a mild southern accent. ”Mind if I join y'all?”
”Please do,” said Caroline, giving Sue's hand a shake.
I jumped up and pulled out a chair for her. ”We were just talking about you.”
”I know. I've been sitting over there for the last twenty minutes.” She pointed to a table not far from us near the wall. ”Got here a little early, and I was hungry so I grabbed a bite. Good barbecue here.”
”Sure is,” said Caroline.
She smiled. ”So, my first question is, will I be working for you, Caroline? I'm a.s.suming not, since you brought a friend. And your name would be?”
”Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Gwyn.”
”Nice to meet you, Gwyn.”
Caroline scooted her chair closer to the table and leaned in. ”Nate didn't tell me a whole lot about you.”
”No, probably not. I'm sort of a friend of a friend of his-once removed. I've never met Nate in person.”
”Actually, I have a question for you,” said Caroline. ”Before we begin, I need to know if you'll have to tell Nate who your client is. Would that be necessary?”
”No. Can't think of any reason for that at the moment. Course, he might ask.”
”But, you wouldn't-”
”It's none of his business.”
”Good.”
Caroline looked at me and dipped her head, prompting me to speak.
”I would be the client,” I said.
”I a.s.sumed so,” she said. ”Do you want to talk here?”
”Well, I don't know.”