Page 19 of Bad Star

Chelsea drank some champagne. “Yes,” she agreed. “Maybe the best drugs.”

Jack stroked his chin, thoughtfully. It was true, he got good Charlie.

“Are we going to break it out then?” asked Chelsea, getting visibly anxious.

“Champagne first,” said Jack, raising his class, “then coke.”

“Then sex?”

Jack nodded. “Things in the correct order,” he said. “That’s the secret to living a good life.”

“On here?” asked Chelsea, patting the breakfast bar.

“Yes,” said Jack. “I don’t see why not.”

When Jack awoke he found himself on the sofa. He could hear Chelsea moving around. He failed to get himself to a standing position until the taxi was waiting outside with the horn blaring.

Chelsea rushed out of the door and yelled something to him as she went. Jack watched her shimmy to the taxi. God damn, he thought. She was good. He couldn’t live without her, that was the truth. He had been stupid to try.

He noticed Chelsea had taken the sapphire and there seemed to be some cash missing from his wallet. Well, he wouldn’t miss it too much.

Jack padded to the kitchen and found an aspirin. Standing by the kitchen window, his thoughts turned to Rainn. He would have to leave her. Completely. He knew that. But, still. Would it do any harm to see her just one more time?