by R Weir
The waitress laughed. “No such luck. Concentrate is the best you’ll get around here. You’re lucky we have fresh eggs. Food supplies are often slow to arrive. We have an abundance of hardy eaters in town.”
“Concentrate will be fine. And bring me the chief’s check—I’m buying.”
The waitress checked with Idelson, getting the conformation before leaving.
“New in town and already trying to bribe a peace officer.”
“Not at all. I’m on an expense account and my client can afford it. Though it doesn’t hurt to have a local cop in my corner.”
Idelson laughed. “Takes more than a thirty-five-dollar meal to buy my friendship.”
“Thirty-five dollars for an omelet, bacon and pancakes?” Hunter was shocked at the price.
“Don’t forget the coffee and the tip, and you best tip Joelle well. Cost of living is high around here. All part of the good and bad of a booming economy.”
Hunter had suspected as much when he found out the cost of the lodging. At $250 a night you would expect luxury at a four-star hotel. From the reviews it would seem two-star was the best he could hope for. Hopefully the bed bugs were friendly.
“Good thing my credit limit is high. If you need anything else to fuel you, go ahead and order.”
Idelson looked down at the business card again. “Troubleshooter for Hire,” he stated with distain. “Hopefully you’re not here to start trouble. What can I help you with—Mister Divine?”
“Here to let you know I’m in town looking for someone. Related to a case I was hired for.”
“Is this person a fugitive?”
Hunter shrugged. “Not necessarily. More like a person of interest.”
The chief swallowed two bites of eggs, before finishing his coffee, waving the cup at Joelle to fill.
“What did this person of interest allegedly do?”
“Involved in the attempted kidnapping of two minors down in Colorado. He is the father of the children. As you’re aware, in cases like this a parent is often a suspect. Especially a father with no visitation rights.”
“Name?” inquired Idelson, sipping the cup of black tar.
“Isiah Sellers.”
There was a pause before the chief answered, more food entering his mouth. “Not a name I know. Though not unusual with the influx of new people moving here.”
“Works for Prosperous Earth Energy Inc.”
“They’re one of the major oil drillers in this area. Employ a huge number of the workers in town.”
Joelle dropped off Hunter’s breakfast. He took a sip of OJ and found it tolerable, though mostly watered down. They might have been scraping the bottom of the concentrate barrel.
“I thought I’d stop by their offices and see if they can help me find him.”
Idelson shook his head, half his pancakes now gone. “I can tell you they won’t reveal any info on their employees. They keep a tight lid on everything in their company. Not thrilled with snoopers.”
Hunter nodded after a couple of bites of eggs. “I’m sure I can persuade them. I can be quite charming when I need to be.”
The chief finished his pancakes, wiping syrup from his face with the tucked in napkin. “I can tell you right now buying them brunch won’t work. Especially if you’re there to make trouble mister troubleshooter.”
“All I want to do is talk with Sellers. If he isn’t involved, then he has nothing to worry about.”
“They won’t see it that way and couldn’t give a damn.”
“You appear to be speaking for them? Are you on their payroll?”
Idelson dropped his fork and stared with venom in his eyes and redness filling his face.
“I don’t need some black flatfoot wannabe cop accusing me of being dirty,” his voice raised a couple of octaves, before lowering. “These folks are powerful people in the community. Creating lots of jobs and providing huge amounts of tax revenue. If you have proof of wrongdoing, I’ll run with it. Until then don’t stir things up in my city or you’ll get thrown in jail and run out of town. Understand?”
Hunter smiled as the chief stood up, tossing the napkin tucked into his shirt to the table, before storming out. Joelle walked over tossing the bill next to the silverware.
“You sure pissed him off?” she said, looking over her shoulder hearing his police car tires squealing as he drove away.
“Hard to believe from a sweetheart like me,” replied Hunter, still smiling. “Maybe the pancakes weren’t to his liking.”
The waitress leaned down, now with her own smile. “Looking at his waistline, I doubt that to be true!”
Chapter 31
Hunter made sure to tip Joelle well, doubling her twenty percent, especially after she gave him information on the best places in town where the residents hung out.
“Boring town most of the time. Lots of eating and drinking, especially on payday, which is tomorrow. There are the chain places with bars, Applebee’s and Chili’s. But I’d check out the three local bars. They mostly know everyone who comes in by name. Should be able to find your man in one of those establishments or at least someone who knows him.”
“Thanks, I owe you.”
“I’m happy to help. You look like you have an honest face. But be careful. Word gets around this town fast. Someone will come knocking on your door and make threats if they believe you’ll be causing trouble.”
Hunter sat up straight throwing out his chest. “Don’t worry. I’ve dealt with trouble all my life.”
“From your build I can tell!” Joelle smiled widely, especially after seeing the tip, and walked away with a bounce in her step.
Hunter went and checked into his hotel room, finding it as plain and boring as he expected. The mattress was hard, the sheets scratchy, but he’d had worse. Thankfully the towels were clean with the stitching intact. The hot water took a few minutes to arrive, leaving him to figure on a fast shower each morning, unless he required a cold one.
He grabbed the local town directory and found the three bars Joelle had mentioned. Each were spread out in different parts of Windwalker, one in the older section, the others in newer buildings. It was early for the bar crowd, which was good, as he’d have a chance to chat with the bartenders without others around.
The first place he went was Suds & Wings, sitting in the newer section near his hotel. When he entered he found loud music playing via oversized speakers by a female singer whose lyrics were hard to understand with a horrible synthesizer beat that gave him a headache. The space was filled with round tables sitting high, the wooden chairs matching the height, with only two patrons there watching sports on one of the several TV’s hanging high from the ceiling. Hunter bellied up to the u-shaped bar, concerned about what was stuck to the bottom of his shoes, the floor in need of mopping.
“What can I get you?” asked the male bartender, whose youthful fresh face made you wonder if he was old enough to be serving alcohol.
“Beer. Whatever is on tap.”
It only took a couple of seconds to place the mug before him.
“Seven dollars.”
“Ouch!” replied Hunter. “Expensive place to drink.”
“Whole town is like that. What else are people going to do with their money.”
Hunter threw down his credit card. “I’d order food, but I doubt I could afford it.”
“People come in and drop a hundred plus easy in here. Don’t get much for it other than atmosphere.”
Hunter looked around. “I’m guessing the atmosphere shows up closer to quitting time.”
“Yes along with the ladies. Though they don’t have to pay. Men out number them ten to one. We often have to break up fights over them. Guys will go to extremes to get laid around here.”
Hunter nodded. “I’m new in town. I thought I’d check out where the action is.”
“I wondered. I hadn’t recalled seeing you here before.”
“You know most everyone that comes in?”
He nodded.
“Do you know Isiah Sellers?”
He leaned on the bar, thinking over the name. “Doesn’t sound familiar. Though I don’t know everyone that comes in. What do you want him for?”
Hunter figured he should lie after what Joelle told him. “An old friend from back in my college days. I heard he lived here; thought I’d track him down.”
The bartender didn’t blink, but his face didn’t seem to buy Hunter’s story.
“Hard to believe anyone would come here looking for an old college buddy.”
Hunter laughed. “It’s my story and I’m sticking to it. He works for Prosperous Earth Energy Inc.”
“Most everyone does. They’re a couple of other small oil companies here, but they mostly own it all. They bought most everyone out during the oil crash a few years back.”
“How long have you lived here?”
The bartender wiped down the countertop. “Too long. About ten years now.”
“Did you start working here as a teenager?”
“I know. Everybody thinks I’m twenty. When in reality I’m thirty-two. Lucky to have good genes.”
Hunter tossed down his business card, writing Sellers name on it and then dropped a ten-dollar bill as a tip.
“If by chance his name comes up, give me a call.”
The bartender pocketed the ten and nodded, then walked down to help a patron who had walked in.
Hunter finished his beer and moved onto the next bar, this one south of town in one of the newer sections. The Windwalker Tavern wasn’t a whole lot different in terms of layout, though they did have some booths, a couple of pool tables and a female bartender. Hunter walked up and smiled as she approached, her white apron a nice contrast to her dark outfit and skin. She possessed a tight cut afro and glistening teeth, along with stylish, colorful tattoos running up and down her arms. To say Hunter noticed she was attractive was an understatement.
“What can I get you?” she said with a little baritone in her voice.
“Beer please. Whatever you have on tap.”
She pulled a cold mug from the cooler, filling it up before sitting it before him.
“Six bucks.”
Hunter placed his credit card down. “Wow a dollar cheaper than Suds & Wings. I could save a bundle drinking here.”
“We get you on the food, though it tastes better. Their wings suck!”
Hunter laughed. “Do you have any pretzels or even peanuts?” He needed solid food to balance out the beer, though like the OJ it appeared to be watered down.
She walked down and grabbed a bowl from under the counter and filled it with some mixed nuts, before sliding it down.
“Thanks. How long have you worked here, Salida?” He read the name off her name tag.
“Five years.”
“Likely know many of the people who come in here.”
“Pretty much. Why?”
Hunter dug around the bowl, searching for cashews and finding a couple.
“Wondering if you know Isiah Sellers? I’m trying to track him down.”
“I found it best not to answer questions like that in this town. It will get you in trouble.”
“Why is that? I’m only here to see an old friend.”
She laughed. “I doubt that. Looking at you, you’re either a cop or a fed. I’m not sure which. But either way they don’t like outsiders here.”
Hunter took a long drink of beer, trying to wash down the excessive salt.
“Funny. The Chief of Police told me the same thing.”
Salida’s face contorted in disgust. “Idelson is a knee breaker, if you get my drift. I’d keep my distance if I were you. He’d mess up your handsome face.”
Hunter smiled. “Not likely to happen. And no, I’m not a cop or a fed. Though I was once a US Marshal.”
Salida wiped down the counter with a wet towel. “Well this isn’t Kansas Marshal Dillon.”
“Divine, but you can call me Hunter.”
“Cute. What are you divine at doing?”
“Whatever a lady desires.” Hunter let the words hang while he munched on a couple remaining cashews. “Though right at this moment I’m trying to find Sellers.”
“Give me a second.”
Salida went down and took care of a barfly whose head was barely staying upright. She told him he’d had enough, which was probably true several drinks ago. He crawled off the bar stool with little protest and staggered out the door.
“A regular?” wondered Hunter when she returned.
“Yes. Drops in and drinks himself silly and wanders home. Lives down the street. I expect his liver to give out any day now.”
“Not much to do here other than work and drink.”
“And fuck,” she stated coldly. “The guys around here are horny as hell. Not enough woman around to keep them satisfied. The hookers make a killing in this town.”
Hunter had cleaned out the cashews and was now searching for peanuts.
“A lot of them walking the streets?”
“Not at all. They come right into the bar and the men gravitate to them. They’ll walk out with someone and be back in an hour ready to hook up with another. I suspect the big oil company in town brings them in to take the edge off the men.”
“The men hit on you as well?”
Salida laughed while tugging on her wedding ring. “Not anymore. My husband is a bigshot at Prosperous Earth Energy. Hitting on me is a career killer.”
“A shame. I was hoping we could be friends.”
“It could still be possible. You don’t work for them. Who’s to say it might not happen. A handsome stranger in town I may never see again is quite tempting.” She glowed happily at the prospect.
“I have a few rules when it comes to women, I’m friendly with. Messing around with married woman being one of them.”
Salida sighed. “My loss then. He’s out of the country right now and I’m feeling amorous with no one to take the edge off.” She waved at the room. “And believe me none of these limp dicks would be worth it even if I wasn’t married.”
Hunter laughed. “I surely understand. And if you weren’t married, I’d be obliged. But maybe you can tell me if you know who Isiah Sellers is? I’d be happy to pay you handsomely for your information.”
“I’m assuming you mean in cash and not in pleasure.”
Hunter nodded, pulling out a twenty.
She looked at the money, pocketing it. “Oh, what the hell. Money to help get my nails done. Yes I know him. He comes in usually three or four times a week. I suspect he’ll roll in tomorrow at around five since it’s payday.”
“Are you working tomorrow?”
“I am, until closing at two. Then off to bed all by myself.”
Hunter laughed. “Would you point him out to me?”
“I might, if you’re nice to me.”
“I’ll be nice to a point.”
She leaned over and whispered. “Nice is all I ask for. And maybe a little naughty to top it all off.
Hunter may have blushed as he finished his drink, the electric words sending a shiver through his loins.
Chapter 32
Olivia no longer had school to worry about, her obligations and classes were now completed. This made Athena happy for she no longer had to be around the waves of students in the crowded hallways, many of which she found annoying. Shen wasn’t as lucky. Deion still had two more days this week and another couple the following to finish out his year. Athena had no intention of trading places with him, no matter how much he begged.
Athena stuck around the house, hoping to find an activity to do. She mostly read on her phone about world events and watched a couple of movies on the big screen TV. Olivia came downstairs late in the morning, bored out of her mind. She desperately wanted to go somewhere, preferably the mall, but Athena remained firm it wasn’t going to happen.
“Why must I be stuck here with nothing to do?” she complained. “I want to be with my friends. Summer has started,
and I want to enjoy it.”
Athena felt symphony for the young woman, but understood the danger outweighed her angry feelings of isolation.
“I know it sucks, but we can’t have you running around right now. There is too much of a risk to you outside of these walls.”
“That didn’t stop them before,” Olivia grumbled. “They still got to us.”
“This was before we were at full strength. Now that the team is together, they aren’t getting in here.”
Olivia crossed her arms, mad at the situation. “It’s not fair. I’m so bored. I feel like I’m in jail.”
Athena understood how the young woman felt. Feeling caged up, without any confidants to converse with, especially at her age, when you feel like you’re ready to take on the world. Maybe the older woman could provide a little guidance.
Hopping up from the sofa Athena, waved. “Grab a coat. We can go for a walk outside within the property lines. I’m certain Pepper would be happy to join us.”
Olivia relented after initially grumbling. She called for her dog while grabbing a jacket, Pepper’s run in full gallop and excitement at the potential of a walk getting his heart racing. No leash was necessary for he followed the commands of his owners faithfully.
Though it was cool, with a few clouds, Athena knew that spring weather was on the horizon, with seventy-degree forecasts ready to burn off the last remaining snow. The two ladies walked outside and headed towards the front gate where Reggie was standing guard. Athena informed him via the two-way radio they were roaming the perimeter to stretch their legs and he waved with his good hand when he saw them.
“Are you happy about school being over?” asked Athena, her head on a swivel for any trouble, though she didn’t expect any.
“Sure. Been a long year, but I’m glad it’s finished.”
“College plans?”
Olivia found a rock on the ground, leaning over she picked it up. She studied it for a minute finding the colorful quartz interesting to gaze at before placing it in her pocket.
“Yes. Though after what has happened, I’m thinking I might want to take a year off. Though I’m not certain how Mom and Dad will react to it.”