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Chapter 43
YOU’RE BACK?”
Cindi slid a coaster in front of Decker at the bar.
“Like a bad penny.”
“What can I get you?” she asked.
“Let me have your best IPA.”
She looked dubious. “Beer’s in the eye of the beholder.”
“I trust your judgment.”
She bent down and pulled out abottle of beer from a small fridge under the bar.
Decker studied her. She was wearing a black shirt with the top button undone, allowing a glimpse of a tan bra and cleavage. Her jeans were snug and her hair bounced over her athletic shoulders.
He assumed the peekaboo shirt and tight pants were all about tips, and he didn’t fault her for that. Guys who sat at bars were mostlysimple creatures, just dying to be manipulated by a pretty lady.
She poured the beer into a mug and slid it across to him.
“Try that.”
He took a sip and nodded appreciatively. “You know your beers.”
She smiled and wiped down the bar in front of him.
“So why the Mercury Bar?” he asked. “Into Greek mythology?”
“No, my dad was a big OrsonWelles fan. You know, theMercury Radio TheatreI think it was called, or something like that. And Mercury is part ofRomanmythology, not Greek. Hermes was Mercury’s Greek counterpart.”
“My mistake,” said Decker.
She studied him. “Why do I think you already knew that? You probing for something?”
“Maybe. You seen John lately?”
“Which John? I know lots.”
“Baron.”
“No, why?”
“Just wondering. You two buds?”
“He comes in for drinks. If that makes us buds, I got lots of buds in this town.”
“When I was in here the other night I just thought there was something more there.”
Cindi stopped wiping down the bar, pulled out a bottle of water from under the counter, and took a swig. “Why do you care?”
Decker shrugged. “I’ve gotten to know Baron a little bit. I think he’s okay. I’d hate for him to get messed up in any of this.”
Cindi put the bottle of water down and picked up her cloth again. When a customer caught her eye and lifted his glass for a refill, she said to Decker, “Don’t move, I’ll be right back.”
He held up his beer in answer and took another drink.
