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I tried to act casual as I ordered a beer and a shot of whiskey. I knocked the whiskey back in one, pleased at the almost too harsh burn, gasping gratefully.
The dark-haired girl passed me a beer with a shaky hand. I offered her a drink and her colleague too. Not that I wanted to buy them both one, I just didn’t want to seem rude. To my surprise, she refused, mumbling that she had a drink already.
I promised I’d buy her one at some point in the evening as I headed back to the booth.
What’s got into this girl? I’m not that scary, am I? Guess I’ll try and be a bit nicer when I get the next drink and hope she hasn’t run off by then.
I shuffled into the booth opposite Lucas and took a huge swig of beer, trying my best to drink the same amount as he had in one go. I didn’t do half bad, either.
Lucas raised his glass in toast. “Here’s to you, bro. Good luck with the case. Let me know if you need any help, eyes on the street or whatever. Got a few guys I know are straight as a die, would be happy to help clean this town up.”
“Thanks, Lucas,” I said, raising my glass in a toast and taking another gulp of ice cold beer.
“There is something I need done It’ll be the last time I talk about work until Monday. Promise.”
Lucas nodded back at me, smiling. “Ask away, bro.”
“Can you come in to see the Lieutenant first thing Monday? Bring anything and anyone you got on this new meth, locations, names. I’m pretty sure we got a case. Lieutenant seems worried anyway. I need everything I can get.”
“Sure thing, Jack. I’ll have a chat with the other guys tomorrow. There’s at least two who have some info. I’ll bring them in to see the Lieutenant Monday. No problem.”
I sighed and sank back into the comfortable leather of the booth behind me I started to relax as I pushed the thoughts of the case from my mind, resolving to think about it again tomorrow. I’d do a bit of planning and brainstorming over the weekend, ready to get started first thing on Monday.
Ain’t as if I got a woman to keep me busy.
I’d been single for years. My time undercover had taken over my life and hadn’t left me with any time to actually meet anyone. Other than gangsters and meth heads. But now I’d made detective, I had a bit more time to myself, and had started to think about how nice it would be to have someone. Someone sexy, to have fun with. Maybe more. Hell, I’m not getting any younger.
Someone just like that girl at the bar.
My gaze flicked back to her. I was amazed to find her smiling back at me, genuinely. She brushed her hair back as our eyes locked. All sign of fear had gone. It was my turn to be shocked for a second. Then I smiled back, holding her gaze for longer than was strictly necessary.
I could see out of the corner of my eye that Lucas was looking at me, eyebrows raised. He turned to look over his shoulder, and then waved at the waitress. She turned away, blushing as she approached the regulars to get them some more drinks.
Lucas was laughing. He leaned over and poked me in the ribs. “Got a crush, have you?”
I sighed, dramatically. “I think I’m in love, Lucas boy. Why haven’t we come here for beers before?”
“Maybe because I wanted to keep her away from you?” I shrugged innocently, raising my hands in protest.
“She doesn’t look like that usually though, damn.” He shook his head as he took a gulp of beer.
“Probably made the effort ‘cause you told her I was coming, right?” I smirked at him mischievously.
He grunted. “She did ask about you, actually. Asked if you were hot. I said yes, but don’t he just know it!”
We both laughed. Then Lucas looked up at me.
“That’s Eden. I’ve known her for years, she was a friend of my kid cousin. Never used to be that good. She’s filled out in the last year or so. Now it’s hard to look at her as an old friend, y’know.”
I nodded, thoughtfully. “Know what you mean, bro. Plus Maria would rip your balls off if she caught you cheating!”
Lucas leaned forward, looking around for anyone within earshot. He had a serious expression on his face, and spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone.
“Listen Jack, I ain’t supposed to tell you this. But it's relevant, given the new case you’ve probably got on Monday.” He paused to take another gulp of beer, as if to steady himself.
“She used to date Conall O’Rourke. Way back, when you were working undercover. She was the reason he got free. Wouldn’t talk. Think he scared her shitless.”
My mind started to race, going over my time undercover. I hadn’t really associated with Conall O’Rourke. He had been lazy, living off his uncle’s power and wealth. I had risen above him in the gang, and it wasn’t even worth dealing with lowlife scum like him. I had to get dirt on the big boys.
