Chapter 85
Lunch at Le Pont Noir. Just like old times, and yet, of course, not like them at all.
“Astronaut?” guesses Jason Ritchie.
Bobby Tanner smiles and shakes his head.
“Jockey?” guesses Jason.
Bobby shakes his head again. “I ain’t gonna tell you, even if you guess.”
Fair enough, fair enough.
“You happy, though, Bobby?” asks Jason.
Bobby nods his head.
“Good lad,” says Jason. “You deserve it.”
“We both do,” agrees Bobby. “One way or another.”
“Well, we do, and we don’t,” says Jason.
Bobby nods. Maybe so.
They are on dessert, still waiting for their guest, and a bottle of Le Pont Noir’s finest Malbec has been dispatched.
“I mean, it must have been Johnny, right?” asks Bobby. “I’ve always thought he was dead somewhere.”
“I’ve always thought that you were dead somewhere,” says Jason. “I’m glad you’re not, though.”
“Thanks, Jase.”
Jason looks at his watch. “We’ll know for sure soon enough.”
“You reckon he’ll know?” asks Bobby.
“If Johnny’s been over, then he’ll know. That’s where he’d have stayed.”
“I can’t do lunchtime drinking anymore, can you?” asks Bobby.
“We’re old men now, Bob,” agrees Jason. “Time for another bottle, though?”
They agree that they do have time for another bottle. And then in walks Steve Ercan.