Reunion Pact Charades by Martha Henley

Author:Martha Henley [Martha Henley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pace Bend Press
Published: 2023-03-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The bar at the Waterfront Hotel & Event Center wasn’t the kind of place I normally found myself. Drinking in a place lit from sunlight coming in through patio windows just felt wrong. With one step in the place, I was able to identify the color of the carpet. It was butterscotch and brown stripes, by the way.

The ride up to Edmond from downtown Oklahoma City was pretty quiet. I had no intention of using small talk in the squad car to “get to know” Detective Meier. I learned everything I needed in the first five minutes of meeting him. He was young, arrogant, and taking over my case.

“Let’s not be heroes here, just straight up ask about Simon,” I said as we chose two seats at the bar. The female bartender nodded our direction, then went back to finishing the drinks in front of her.

“I know how to do my job,” Meier said. “I’m willing to work together if you are.”

“Don’t put this on me, Meier.” I glanced around, counting the four other patrons in the place. “I’m really just here for support. You’re the lead.”

“That attitude is what I’m talking about.” He leaned around the back of me and waved two fingers to the bartender. “Call me, Jeff. We used first names in Norman, I know you do in the city, too.” He continued to stare at the bartender.

“You’re making her uncomfortable, Jeff.” I accentuated his name and leaned in to block his view. “She’ll get to us. Be patient.”

“Funny, I recall last night that’s what you were short on,” Jeff raised an eyebrow and flicked an imaginary block off his shoulder.

“You little bitch,” I grunted.

Two seconds later, the bartender approached. “What can I get you two? Club sodas?” She smiled, letting us know she was just doing her job.

“You made us that fast?” I asked. “What was it that gave away our badges?”

She prepared the club sodas and sat them down on napkins in front of us. “First of all you two were fighting like an old married couple. Second, you’re far from looking gay.” She side-eyed Jeff. “Well—you could be. Also neither of you have briefcases or luggage, so you’re not staying at the hotel and you’re not here for an event. Who did what?”

“You should be a profiler, Maria,” Jeff said, making a point to read her name tag. “Have you thought of a career in the justice system?”

“Not all people with mad skills of deduction need to chase criminals. Some of us just serve them drinks,” she answered. “What can I help you with?”

“I like you,” I said. “You don’t look like a Maria.”

“I’m not,” she said, walking off to attend to an order coming in from a waitress.

“Can we trust her? What if Simon still has accomplices here?” Jeff asked.

“Then she’ll tip him off. He’ll get nervous and make a mistake. That’s a better scenario,” I said as the bartender returned.

“Of course it is.” She crossed her arms. “Do I need to ask again? Tell me what you want, so I can give you the information, and you can get out of my bar.

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