Winter's Justice by Stephen Penner

Author:Stephen Penner [Penner, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Legal
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US
Published: 2020-11-24T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Talon walked into Paul’s office.

“You ready for that drink?”

Paul looked up from his monitor, then to the clock. “It’s noon.”

Talon nodded. She wasn’t going to ask twice.

“Um, yeah, sure,” Paul stammered. He made a few mouse clicks to close whatever he was working on and stood up. “I’m not even sure the bar across the street is open yet.”

Talon gave him a wink. “I know a place.”

* * *

The name of the place in question was simply ‘The Bar’ and it was tucked under the freeway on-ramps and off-ramps where Interstate 5 intersected with State Route 7, Interstate 705, the Tacoma Dome, and the Port of Tacoma. It was the location that gave the place its unique charm—part nautical, part run down, all Tacoma.

“I have never been here,” Paul practically admitted as they walked into the dimly lit establishment. It was a sunny enough day, but little of that sunlight permeated the thick glass of the front windows, the only windows in the bar. “I’m disappointed in myself.”

“Well, let’s hope I don’t end up disappointed too,” Talon responded. She pulled out a stool at the bar. “Or you may have to pay for your own drink.”

Paul sat down on the stool next to her. “I can manage that. But I would hate to disappoint you. Although, I have to say, you seem like you might be easy to disappoint.”

Talon acknowledged the comment with a shrug. “I start every relationship already disappointed in the other person. It saves time. But my mind can be changed.”

“Everyone is presumed disappointing, huh?”

“Precisely.” Talon nodded. “I’m glad we understand each other.”

“So, how did your hearing go?” Paul asked as the bartender, the only employee in the place, approached.

But Talon shook her head and her finger at him. “Nope. We’re not here to discuss that. It went great, of course, but no small talk.”

She glanced at the bartender. “Old fashioned, please.”

Paul turned to him as well. “Um, do you have any craft—?” He glanced around. “You know what? Never mind. I’ll just have an old fashioned too. No twist. Thanks.”

The bartender nodded and left to make the drinks.

“The twist is the best part,” Talon chastised.

“Okay, then how about this twist?” Paul threw a broad smile and dramatic hand flourish at her. “Dank was a Russian spy who was also a double agent for the Chinese, and he was selling national security secrets to the highest bidder.”

Talon blinked at him. “That’s bullshit, right?”

Paul laughed. “Yeah, totally made that up.”

“Would have been a good segue way, though,” Talon complimented.

“I know, right?” Paul nodded. “I couldn’t resist.”

“You probably could have,” Talon opined. “Now my expectations are raised. Whatever you do have, it better be at least as good as that.”

The bartender returned with their drinks. Talon thanked him and took a sip. “So, what do you have for me?”

“I have,” Paul pulled his glass over and prepared to take a drink, “the beginning of wisdom.”

“Christ.” Talon rolled her eyes and took a longer drink. “I’m not really looking for more clever words today.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.