Free Bloodstorm by Sam Millar

her
Bacardi
and
Coke
.
    “A drag queen, darling, you daft dear.”
    “No,” replied Karl, shaking his head. “I don’t think it’s a drag queen we’re looking for. Not this one.”
    “How about that Gestapo bastard, McKenzie?” smirked Ivana. “Why don’t you ask him?”
    “Bulldog? What about him?” asked Karl, inexplicably feeling a thumb of coldness entering his stomach.
    “He’s been here lately, harassing everyone at night. The filthy beast actually felt me up, claiming he was searching for concealed drugs, and then had the gall to ask me if I regret having my meat and two vegetables replaced with a purse. He’s such a creepy cretin. Why is he like that, Karl?”
    Shrugging his shoulders, Karl replied, “I suppose effeminacy is considered repugnant to all of Wilson’s crew. Espousing masculinity is an essential element of their rules and membership into The Hardman Club. I wouldn’t give them a second of your thoughts, Ivana. They’re simply not worth it. Tell you what. The next time he harasses you inhere, make a quick phone call to me. Okay?”
    Ivana wrapped her arms around Karl’s neck, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek, loudly proclaiming for all to hear: “I love this big hunk of a man. If only all men were like him, I would have stayed one!”
    “Karl’s right, Ivana. Don’t let McKenzie annoy you,” soothed Naomi, holding Ivana’s hand. “People like McKenzie always get their comeuppance. Isn’t that true, Karl?”
    Ordering another round, Karl skilfully ignored the question, believing that creatures like McKenzie never received their comeuppance.
    “Have you ever seen that creep smile with his inky gums and rotten teeth?” continued Ivana, shuddering, glancing warily about, as if expecting Bulldog to be watching somewhere in the dimly lit room. “His ugly face is like a
piñata
: should be whacked as hard and as often, as possible.”
    “Unlike you, Ivana,” encouraged Naomi. “You’re a beautiful person – inside and out.”
    Ivana loved the attention, and suddenly softened her voice and words, making them into an invitation, being quite flirtatious by touching Naomi’s face. “If only I
were
masculine again, darling. The things I would do to you.”
    “Let’s not get too friendly, Ivana,” advised Karl, ordering another round before time was called.
    Less than an hour later, Karl and Naomi left the warmth and friendship of
Billy Holidays
for a full-mooned night. The cold air had become more forceful. The streets were darker, carrying with them the indefinable sense of creeping dread. It was a dread Karl had learned over the years never to underestimate. He respected it.
    “That was an enjoyable night, wasn’t it, Karl? I could have listened to Ivana all night. She’s a pisser,” said Naomi, clinging closer to Karl. “
Brrrrrrrr
. It’s freezing. Can’t wait to get home, get some of that manly body heat pouring over me.”
    “Me too. If I can find a man to pour some of it over me.”
    “Thinking back to how you described Wilson’s crew to Ivana, why on earth did you ever apply to be a policeman, Karl? You’re not like them. The opposite in fact.”
    “Not this argument again, Naomi? Please …”
    “We’re not having an argument.”
    “But it usually turns into one,” sighted Karl, before relenting. “I was naïve, probably watching too much
Kojak
on TV, thinking the good guys were really the good guys, never realising that they could also be the bad guys. Okay?”
    “Who’s
Kojak
,” asked Naomi.
    “Now you’re making me feel my age. He was a bald cop, always sucking on a lollipop and saying,
who loves ya, baby
.”
    “That’s sick. He sounds more like a paedophile than a cop. And they showed that on TV?”
    “Prime time. I have a dark secret I’m going to tell you, Naomi, but you must promise never to tell anyone. Promise me?”
    Naomi’s voice went serious, into a whisper. “You know I’d never divulge anything between us.”
    “Okay,