“My buddies, the guys in my squad, call it the bear.”
Calliope nodded, no explanation needed. “I’m guessing they’ve seen this bear?”
He rocked to his feet with her still in his arms. “So have you.”
She locked her arms around his neck and bit his earlobe. “Does he want to come out and play?”
“Wanna find out?”
“Yeah, but if you want to do more sex stuff to me, you need to feed me.”
“A woman after my own heart.” He checked his phone. “My buddy Finn’s at some burger joint on Montague Street. Sound good?”
“Henry’s End?”
“That’s the one.”
“Perfect.”
Henry’s End had a welcoming awning and sizzling smell that lured pedestrians like a siren’s song. Tox held the door for Calliope and immediately spotted Finn in his usual position, rear corner table, his back to the wall. They ought to have tables for operators with all the chairs lined up against the wall. Tox smirked. None of his colleagues could sit with their back to the door.
Tox led the way through the small bar, towing Calliope behind him. He stopped at the table and pulled Calliope to his side. Finn had a pint of pale ale halfway to his mouth when he paused and stared at her without expression, the scarred half of his face hidden in the shadows. Calliope stepped behind Tox and pressed her face between his shoulder blades. He could feel her hot breath on his spine. Finn resumed drinking his beer.
Tox was flummoxed for a moment. Calliope didn’t seem like the type to be put off by a physical disfigurement. It disappointed him that Finn’s appearance had affected her. He ignored it for the moment. Calliope composed herself, stepped around Tox, and took the chair across from Finn. Tox settled between them in an awkward silence.
“Finn McIntyre, Calliope Garland.”
“Pleasure.” Finn downed the rest of his beer and signaled for another.
“Yeah, um, nice to meet you.”
The waitress interrupted the rocky introduction, and the trio quickly ordered burgers and fries. When she trotted off, the tension seemed to have dissipated.
“So, Calliope you said? What is it you do, Calliope?”
“I work at The Harlem Sentry. I’m a reporter.”
“That’s cool.”
“And what about you?” Calliope asked.
“I’m in sales,” Finn replied without inflection.
Calliope nodded. Finn turned his attention to his friend. “Nathan mentioned there was some excitement?”
Tox stared at Calliope as she massaged her earlobe so fiercely she dislodged the little stud earring.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Did he give you the details?” Tox forced himself to focus on his friend.
“The salient points. I’m looking into Roman Block, the construction company owner out of San Francisco. The guy stinks like a Paris sewer.”
“What have you found?”
“Well, probably the most important thing we’ve discovered is that he’s dead.”
“What?”
“Cleaning lady found him early this morning. Double tap. Professional hit.” He turned his phone to Calliope. “Was this the guy in your house with the muscle?”