Chapter 78
I STAYED SEATED on the wall as the burly man in the cowboy hat approached. His boots clicked on the concrete.
I’ll admit, Tex made me nervous. I tried to act casual, but the closer he got, the bigger he seemed. He came to a stop a few feet in front of us and stood with his hands on his hips.
“Hey, Valerie. You working or chatting with tourists?”
Valerie looked down and mumbled, “Sorry, Tex. Just taking a quick break.”
I’d heard interactions like this a hundred times in my career. It never failed to make my blood boil. I knew exactly who this guy was and his role in the neighborhood.
Alain said, “Please forgive her, Tex. It was entirely my fault. I just wished to speak to a local for a few minutes.”
Tex did a double take at Alain’s accent. He didn’t comment on it. “You can speak to anyone you want. But time is money. And we don’t waste money here. Lay down a hundred bucks and you can have fifteen minutes of conversation. You feel me?”
Alain appeared confused by the idiom. He looked at me for clarification.
I’d had about all I could take. I stood up to face the pimp. Yes, he was big, but I was sure he didn’t expect me to do anything crazy. That was his mistake.
He looked at me and laughed. “What are you going to do? This isn’t a Mommy and Me class.”
“We weren’t hurting anyone. We were just talking to Valerie.” I always start off reasonable. At least, I’d tried to sound reasonable.
Tex smiled. He had shockingly straight white teeth. “Well, little lady, I already said you can certainly speak to our lovely Valerie. But it will cost you a C-note.”
Now Alain stood up and joined me. “Perhaps we can come to an agreement.”
“God damn. I already told you the agreement.” Tex turned his head toward me again and said, “Come up with some cash before I stuff your little frog grandpa in a garbage can.”
Alain shook his head. “That’s twice in two days someone has called me a frog. You know, it’s not really an insult anymore. At least not one to care about.” Alain looked up at the big man and edged away from him slightly. “Perhaps if you traveled more you wouldn’t sound so ignorant.”
Even I was surprised by Alain’s comment. But I had no doubt what was coming our way now.