AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Theodosia handed Drayton a menu that featured colorful photos of drinks with names like Tiki in the Jungle, Tiger Shark, Mr. Bali Hai, and at at least twenty other tropical themes. “Take a look at these cocktails,” Theodosia said. “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”
Drayton smiled faintly as he perused the drink menu. “So there is an upside after all.”
“And there’s food,” she said. “What do you think about ordering the grilled octopus?”
“Pass.”
“Tuna tartare?” Theodosia asked.
“That might be a bit experimental for my palate.”
“How about the sati babi?”
“Which is?” Drayton said.
“Really just a pork satay.”
“Better. Oh, and maybe an order of their Friki Tiki Beans. And I wouldn’t mind coconut shrimp.”
They ordered flower mojitos and three small plates to share, which all proved to be delicious. Then, some twenty minutes later, Lamar Lucket came striding into the restaurant.
Lucket was one of those men who projected a good deal of bluster and swagger. Not the kind of man you’d want to get involved with, but probably the perfect temperament for politics. He looked fearless, harsh words probably rolled right off his back. He was also tall and rail thin with an olive complexion, silver hair swept back from his high forehead, probing eyes, and thin lips. Lucket wore a double-breasted gray pinstripe suit that was probably Armani and cost several thousand dollars. Even so, Theodosia thought he looked like a mafioso type. Or a wheeler-dealer politician, which he pretty much was.
Following on Lucket’s heels was a frazzled-looking woman in a tight black skirt suit. She had thin, hunched shoulders, frizzy blond hair, and carried a briefcase as well as an enormous stack of papers that threatened to slip away from her. She basically looked as if she had too much on her plate.
“Lamar,” the woman called as she struggled to keep up with him. “The election’s in six weeks! We need to huddle with Alex. Talk about publicity and what to do when the opposition throws another candidate at us—which you know they will. Try to work out a few strategies!”
But Lucket was unfazed. “All in good time, Clarice,” he said as he held up a hand to back her off. “Besides...” He grinned. “I see only smooth sailing ahead.”
He seemed jubilant as he walked through the restaurant, Clarice following in his footsteps as he handed out campaign buttons to all the customers. The buttons were a take on the old I Love New York theme. Only Lucket’s buttons featured a capital i, then a heart, then the words a winner. Underneath that read, lamar lucket.
When Lucket swung by their table, Theodosia said, “May we have a word, please?”
Lucket stopped and gave Theodosia and Drayton the once-over. “You’re the people who wanted to speak with me?” He handed them each a large button.
“Please,” Theodosia said.
“If you have a moment,” Drayton said.
Clarice blew a puff of hair out of her face. “Mr. Lucket’s awfully busy,” she said in a dour tone.
Lucket favored them with a practiced smile. “You’re campaign donors?”
“Not exactly,” Theodosia said.
Lucket’s smile faded. “Then what?”
“We’re looking into the death of Osgood Claxton,” Theodosia said.
“That’s it, we’re done here,” Clarice snapped.
“So you’re investigators?” Lucket said. He sounded mildly interested.
“Private investigators,” Theodosia said, even though it was a little white lie.
“Well, I don’t know what to tell you,” Lucket said. “Somebody up and shot the poor jerk. At least that’s what it said in the newspapers.”
“Maybe not the jerk part,” Drayton said.
