Free Kim Oh 3: Real Dangerous People (The Kim Oh Thrillers) by K. W. Jeter Page A

mood, now that the conference was over.
     
    He listened to one of the drunker patrons saying something to whoever had just come in from the street.
     
    “Hey, buddy –” The drunk swayed on his perch at the other end of the bar. “Sure you’re in the right place?”
     
    “I’ll let you know if I’m not.”
     
    Elton looked over his shoulder and saw Foley heading his way.
     
    “Aren’t you supposed to be on duty tonight?”
     
    Foley sat down next to him and signaled to the bartender.
     
    “Whoa.” Foley caught sight of Elton’s scraped-raw knuckles. “You really should find a nicer place to hang out.”
     
    “I like it here,” said Elton. “They don’t put little paper umbrellas in the drinks.”
     
    The bartender set a beer in front of Foley.
     
    “You never order those kinds of drinks.”
     
    “It’s just the idea. Creeps me out.”
     
    Foley took a long pull from his beer. “We gotta talk,” he said as he set it back down.
     
    Elton shrugged. “So talk.”
     
    “It’s important,” said Foley. “Maybe we should go someplace private.”
     
    “I’ve already taken care of enough business today. This is my happy hour.”
     
    “It can’t wait.”
     
    “Yeah?” It dawned on Elton, about how serious Foley was. “So what is it, already?”
     
    “It’s Curt.”
     
    “I was afraid you were going to say that.” Elton turned back to his beer. “What about the man?”
     
    “He’s screwing up,” said Foley. “Big time. You know it, I know it, everybody knows it.”
     
    “Seems like everybody knows it – except Mr. Falcon. Otherwise, he’d have fired Curt’s ass by now.”
     
    “Falcon doesn’t see him up close. The way we do. He doesn’t see things.”
     
    “Like what?”
     
    “Like the little problem Curt’s got with his gun hand. He can barely fire a piece anymore.”
     
    “I don’t know.” Another shrug. “It’s not so bad.”
     
    “Think so?”
     
    “Yeah, actually. I do.”
     
    “Then think about this.” Foley leaned closer to him. “When we were at that restaurant, and everything came down on us – when all that stuff was happening – why didn’t you see Curt taking a shot?”
     
    “He was busy,” said Elton. “Thinking what to do next. That’s his job. He runs the crew, remember?”
     
    “Well, he isn’t thinking so hot these days.” A slow nod. “Or maybe he is . . .”
     
    “Meaning exactly what?”
     
    “Maybe Curt knows he’s losing it.” Foley’s brow practically touched the other man’s. “Maybe he figures Falcon’s gonna see it. Then Falcon’s gonna want a new leader for the crew.” He sat back a little. “And that’s why Curt brought his old girlfriend back on board.”
     
    “Girlfriend? What’re you talking about?”
     
    “What, are you blind? That Kim broad. Who the hell do you think she is?”
     
    “Didn’t hear about her being Curt’s girlfriend.”
     
    “Before your time, pal. She and Curt were hot and heavy in the sack. Like minks. That’s why Curt talked Falcon into hiring her before . . .”
     
    When I found out that this was the load that Foley told Elton, I just about hit the roof. Can you believe this guy? What kind of story is that to make up? I didn’t know if I was more pissed that Foley came up with this crap, or that Elton didn’t fall off his bar stool, laughing.
     
    I mean, really. Not only was I not putting it out for anybody – following Cole’s advice on that score – I certainly wasn’t putting it out for Curt. The guy could’ve been my grandfather! Look, I realize I’m not exactly some Kardashian in terms of hotness, but I’m not that desperate. Like I said before, I’ve pulled my act together at least a little bit, from back when I’d been Little Nerd Accountant Girl. And if I were going to put my ass on the line – literally – for a job, it sure wouldn’t be this one.
     
    Plus – what is it with guys nowadays? When did they all become