Chapter 54

I knew he was the one I wanted as soon as he walked into the bar. Clean cut; maybe mid-to-late thirties; business suit; hiding behind sun glasses in the dimly lit bar; hesitant at the door; picking out a table back in the corner, one with a full sweep of the room. I moved a little to my right at the bar, under a light, well within his vision. I called Zion, the bartender, over, and we went into the routine he'd always been agreeable to. Zion and me got along real good. He'd do me maybe once a week back in the bar's storage room and then he'd help me the rest of the week. "No beer for you, kid. Whatcha' doin' in here, anyway?" Zion asked me, raising his voice high enough for the mark to hear and knowing full well that I was of legal age. I looked over toward the corner with my peripheral vision to make sure he'd heard. If he hadn't, Zion and me would have to do it again. But he'd heard. I saw him sit up in his chair, tensed. "Geez. Am I gonna have to show ID till I'm thirty," I groused