I didn’t need to follow Bhodi. I knew where he was headed and that the fights wouldn’t start for a few hours. Instead, I texted the prof to let him know what was happening and then made my way into Two Harbours. The campground is right on the edge of the town, but the place is so small it’s within easy walking distance. Probably why it’s one of the most popular camping spots on the island, though we tend to prefer the much more remote Parsons Landing campground on the northern coast of the island. The lack of light pollution makes for stunning star gazing, and the lack of people makes it perfect for both plotting and hiding. We have a safe base set up there, just in case.
“Reef. Here to keep your boy alive tonight?” Tami, the owner of the underground fight club, and affectionately known as the doc by most, asks me when I step into the ‘reception’.
“Jeez. How bad is it?”
“So far, he’s wiped the floor with eight of my best fighters.”
I frown. “Sounds like he’s keeping himself alive just fine.”
“Not from me, he’s not. He’s bad for business.”
“I can’t imagine takings are down with one of the Queen’s Guard in the house tonight.”
“He’s bad for business the rest of this week. If all my best fighters are out of action, who’ll bring the money in when he fucks off home? Who will the addicts come to see?”
“You could always heal them,” I point out.
“I don’t work for free,” she says flatly. I hold my hands up.
“I’m just saying, it’s good for business. You do you, Tam.”
“Don’t call me that,” she snaps. “I let it slide the first time because I was surprised to see you here. It’s the doc. Nothing else.”
“Sure thing, doc. Can I go down?”
“Sure…once you pay the entry fee.”
I clutch my chest and grin at her. “Ouch. You wound me. I thought I didn’t have to pay?”
“Everybody pays.”
Sighing in jest, I pull out my wallet and toss a wad of cash her way. There’s no set fee; people pay what they can. Because as much as Tami – sorry the doc – likes to think she’s a hardass, she’s actually a softy deep deep down.
I more than cover the entry fee and the damage that Bhodi is no doubt doing to her business and premises.
“Hope that covers the damage,” I say with a smile before something occurs to me. “Actually…I could use your help with something.”
“Don’t work for free,” she parrots. I smirk.
“I’ll pay you.”
“How? Looks like you’re all out of cash.”
“I’ll get it to you. You know I’m good for it.”
“Fine. But only because I happen to like you and that big oaf smashing up my cage down there.”
I bite back a smile. See? Softy.
“If I text you a list of meds, could you check them out for me and get back to me. See if they’re legit?”
“There is this thing called Google you know.”
“Yeah and I’m coming up empty handed.”
She gasps, her yellow eyes going wide in mock-shock. “Surely not, Mr. Find It.”
“Apparently. I can’t even find them on the supe database. I think they’re either new, like still in trial, or they’re unsanctioned.”