Chapter 27

“I thought you could use a nightcap to help you sleep,” he said.

“At nine in the evening?”

“Why not?”

I shrugged. “No reason I can think of.”

The interior was dark, with a bar along the back wall, booths down one side, and tables in the middle of the floor. A jukebox was playing some easy listening jazz at the moment. I hoped that didn’t change. I wasn’t in the mood for anything close to rock or rap. I checked out the few customers and figured that wasn’t likely. They were mostly in their forties and fifties and working class from their clothes.

We found an empty booth, and ordered beers from a waitress who looked like she wished the night was already over.

“First you tell me I should eat and sleep. Then you take me out and ply me with liquor,” I said after the waitress plopped our beers down in front of us and left.

He chuckled. “Not sure I’m taking you out. And one beer does not constitute plying.” He took a long drink, his gaze wandering around the room.