Critical Failures III (Caverns and Creatures Book 3) by Bevan Robert

Author:Bevan, Robert [Bevan, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DeadPixel Publications
Published: 2014-08-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Stacy sat at the bar just inside the front entrance of the Olive Garden. Tim had shown her Mordred’s Facebook profile picture, and explained how he’d changed since it was taken. Mostly facial hair and fat. Although the place was crowded, mostly with old couples and young families, there was no one in the restaurant that she could see who even remotely matched that description. She felt nervous, in spite of the fact that – or maybe because of the fact that – Tim had reassured her so many times that she had nothing to be afraid of. He and Julian had both exits covered, and the bird would follow the car when they left. Strangely enough, her nervousness was less about what this freak might do to her if he got the chance, and more like blind date jitters. After all she’d been through today, she deserved a drink.

“You here alone?”

Stacy whipped around. If this was Mordred, she might not have such a bad night after all. This guy was tall and handsome, with blond, wavy hair and a tailored blue suit. He was almost exactly the opposite of what Tim had described.

“Mordred?”

He gave her a shocked and exaggeratedly quizzical look. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but that one’s new to me. My name’s Brad Tanner.” He offered his hand. Stacy accepted. His handshake was firm.

“That’s too bad, Brad,” said Stacy. “Looks like you’re not the guy I’m waiting for tonight.”

“Can I at least buy you a drink until this Mordred fellow shows up?”

“I won’t stop you.”

“What’ll you have?”

“Surprise me.”

“Bartender,” said Brad. “Two Manhattans, please.” He didn’t shout, but he knew how to project his voice effectively, and the bartender acknowledged his order from the other side of the noisy bar.

“Right away, sir.”

“So how do you know this Mordred?” Brad asked Stacy.

Considering the freak show that she was expecting to walk through the front door any second now, Stacy said the most embarrassing thing she was likely to say all night. “I met him online.” Her face felt warm, and she wished the bartender would hurry the hell up with those Manhattans.

Brad smiled. It was just condescending enough to show that he recognized her embarrassment, and was enjoying it a bit. “You need to be careful who you meet online. They aren’t always who they seem to be.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Thank you, sir,” Brad said to the bartender, accepting the two glasses. He passed one to Stacy.

Stacy took a sip, savoring the boozy goodness running into her bloodstream. “Ah, that’s the stuff.”

“What kind of guy leaves a knockout like you sitting alone at a bar?”

Stacy appreciated the compliment, though she wasn’t thrilled about the term ‘knockout’. It sounded like something her grandpa would say.

“And at an Olive Garden?” Brad continued. “Sounds like a real class act.”

Stacy necked the rest of her drink. No point in being coy. “So says the guy chatting me up at an Olive Garden bar.”

Brad took her glass and held it up, nodding at the bartender for another drink.

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