Chapter 25
"This isn’t a ploy to get me back to your boat so you can take advantage of me, is it?" Emily asked as we stepped into the salon.
Buddy greeted her with excitement, bouncing and barking. She knelt down and loved on him. He slobbered wet kisses all over her. Lucky bastard.
"And what makes you think I'm interested in you that way?" I said, taunting her.
That flustered her a bit. "I don't know. I didn’t suppose you were making small talk at the bar because of an interest in physics."
"More of an interest in chemistry," I said with a sly grin.
She squinted at me playfully.
"Besides, I don't make a habit of pursuing unavailable women."
"But isn’t that part of the allure? Wanting something you can’t have."
I smiled. "I don't want what I can't have.”
Emily gave me a doubtful look, then scoped the accommodations. "It seems like you’re a man who has just about everything."
I smiled. "I've been blessed.”
"So, where is this gentleman that you wanted me to speak with?"
"He should be here shortly, along with Jack. Can I get you a drink?"
Her suspicious eyes narrowed at me again. "One drink. No funny business."
I raised my hands innocently, then slid behind the bar. "What's your poison?"
"Vodka martini."
I mixed one up and slid the glass across the counter to her, then poured myself a glass of whiskey.
"What should we drink to?"
"That we may find the good fortune to catch this guy before more innocent people get hurt," I said.
"I'll drink to that," she replied, lifting her glass.
We toasted and sipped the fine beverages.
A million thoughts raced through my mind, among them whether or not I should say anything about Ashton Rockwell and his side chick. I chose a different route. "What got you into this line of work?"
"DRI recruited me right out of graduate school. After I wrote that paper, it kind of blew up online, no pun intended. I was contacted by a lot of different companies that wanted the technology. I went with DRI. They seemed like the best choice to develop this.” Emily frowned.
"Maybe I was na?ve when I originally pursued the idea. I guess everything is weaponized eventually, isn’t it? "
"It seems that way." After a pause, I said. “How are things with Ashton?"
She forced a smile. "Couldn’t be better. I'm a lucky girl."
I wanted to say something, but I bit my tongue. I was afraid it would come across the wrong way—some sleazy guy trying to get into her pants by making up drama about her boyfriend. “He’s a lucky man. I hope he realizes what he has.”
She blushed.
JD arrived with Henrik. The two crossed the passerelle and entered the salon.
"Well, look who's here," JD said upon seeing Emily.
"Emily, I'd like you to meet Henrik Strauss," I said.
Henrik smiled at the sight of her. "It's a pleasure, my dear," he said as the two shook hands.
"She's a theoretical physicist at DRI," I said. "I think you might have a lot in common.”
"Yes, I believe so," the old man replied.
They chatted for a bit.
JD stepped to the bar and muttered, "I've got good news and bad news.”
A look of dread filled my face. I’d had my fill of bad news for the day.
"The bartender and a couple of staff members were killed during the explosion."
I winced. We’d gotten to know the staff pretty well over the years.
"I talked to Harvey. He said he was on his way up to the club when the bomb detonated. As you can imagine, he's a little shaken up.”
Harvey owned Sonic Temple.
"Reject Nation and Cheap Stereo Romance lost all their gear. It was in the venue at the time. They’d already done a sound check. Fortunately, none of those guys were inside when it exploded. I talked to Chase at Vibe. Everything is all set up. The show will go on.”
I lifted a surprised brow.
“I told the other bands they could use our gear. Everything, including all liquor sales, will go to the victim’s families. I figure we can throw in a little something extra to sweeten the pot.”
"For sure."
“Now let’s talk about how we’re going to catch this guy.”