Page 6

Galan

The meeting took forever, confirming my belief that this client was just seeing how far they could get us to go to confirm the deal. Not a big shock, after the time I’d spent with them in their offices. I had included that concern in my report, but it was such a lucrative potential contract, we were still dancing for them. Before we closed for the evening, they even suggested that I come back for another face-to-face, maybe with the CEO.

That last bit was the final straw for my company. We had dealt with their type before, and it rarely worked out to our advantage. I was impressed, however, with the professional composure the CEO displayed when he told them that we had presented our offer and hoped that they would consider it and let us know their final decision.

After the long hours I’d put in both here and overseas, it would have been difficult for me to be as calm. We disconnected and people scattered, all but me anxious to get home to their families. Chained would be closed, so a stop there for friendly conversation and a real drink were out of the picture for the night. And it was too late to vent to anyone else. A hot bath while sipping a whiskey at home it would be. As I exited the parking structure, my phone buzzed, and I glanced at the dashboard display to see it was Rico. Even for him, it was after hours, and I instructed the phone to connect.

“Rico. Everything okay? It’s very late. Do you need a ride or something?” He should be home by now, I believed, but maybe they had a staff meeting after closing or something.

“Hi, Galan. How was the call?”

“Sucked. Looks like the whole deal might fall apart, but it is what it is.” I pulled onto the empty city street. All the regular office people would be home asleep, even the guys I’d just sat at the conference table with as well. The only real bright spot tonight was the aftermath of the conference call. “Oh, and I got a bonus for putting up with one of our worst clients ever.”

“That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thank you! But I’m sure you didn’t call just for that. What’s up?”

“A friend of mine, a neighbor, had to leave their bicycle at Chained, and I wondered if you could pick it up for him tomorrow on your way to the office and then drop it off whenever you get a chance?”

“I’ll go tonight.” Someone might steal it. Chained was in a nice neighborhood, but one that would be pretty deserted at this time of the morning, and any kind of criminal might see an opportunity.

“That’s not necessary. It’s chained up in back and should be fine.”

“No trouble at all. I’m on my way home, and it’s just a few blocks out of the way. Assuming it’s a combination lock?” Because if not, it would be hella hard to retrieve it.

“Yes.” He rattled off the combination.

“Text it to me?” My memory was good but not that good.

“Oh, sorry. Sure. And he’s going to be away for several days, so not a rush to drop it off.”

“All right. He’s your neighbor, so I can leave it at your place?”

“I’ll be dog sitting for him, so I can put it inside when you come by. Thanks. He’s very attached to the bicycle.” An extra reason not to wait until morning. Crooks didn’t respect locks.

“I understand. I love mine, too.” Not that I’d been on it this year. Possibly not last. “Let him know not to worry. He can rely on me.”

“That’s what makes you such a good daddy.”

“Thanks.”

“And I still want you to meet that little.”

“Good night, Rico.”

“Night, Daddy Galan.”

Rolling my eyes at his tenacity, I made a left turn, adjusting my route, and soon arrived at Chained. A rack I’d never noticed was near the rear door, occupied by only one bicycle, and I pulled up right next to it in the nearly empty parking lot. A couple of cars were in the back corner, probably night cleaning staff or maybe security, but nobody came out to see what I was up to as I parked. That made me extra glad I’d not waited until morning. Climbing out, I popped open the back of my SUV and took the few steps to the bike. As I reached it, a light flashed on over my head and the door opened to reveal a man whose fitted black T-shirt revealed forearms that could only come from many hours at the gym. I’d seen him before, a DM or dungeon monitor, but since I spent my time in the little room or conversation area instead of the main floor, he’d never supervised any of my scenes.

“And what have we here? You’re a little dressed up to be stealing old bicycles.”

“I probably am. Which is why that’s not what’s happening. Someone asked me to pick it up for them.”

“And you wear a tie for such helpful stops?”

“No. I wear a tie for work, which I just left.” I held up a hand. “No need to point out the hour, my work involves time zone issues.”

He looked skeptical, but at least he hadn’t called the police yet. So, I went on. “I’m a member here, so we can do this two ways. I can show you my ID, or you can call Rico who asked me to pick this up for his friend.”