Free Silver Lining - A Carpelli Adventure: Sequel To The Bestselling Thriller Fatal Mistake by Cliff Roberts Page B

in town and now that the broken parts have healed, I think I’m ready to meet people again and get to know my way around town.”
    “Wow, that’s an invitation the likes I’d never heard before, but I’m not sure. I mean, you seem like a nice enough man, John but, what type of illness lays you up for a year?” She asked, while looking around at the crowd, as if to make sure no one was listening or watching.
    “I had five cracked ribs, two broken ribs and bruised spleen. It happened at work.”
    “What kind of work do you do?” Her face was a mask of concern.
    “I find things. I’m like a very private, private eye.”
    “Oh sure, I’ve known at least a dozen guys in the same line of work. So do you carry a gun?” She was direct, but I could tell she didn’t believe me.
    “I have a concealed weapons permit.”
    “Do you shoot people?”
    “I have shot people, but they shot at me first. You ever had to shoot someone?” I asked as a joke, but she got a faraway look in her eye and changed the subject without answering. I figured that was a raw nerve, one I should avoid it in the future, if there is a future. After a moment, she looked at me and stated.
    “I could meet you someplace for a drink later, say around seven at the Sapphire Club downtown. It’s on South Gay St. We can talk some more and see where it goes,” she was making sure she had a way to get away, if I started to act out. Smart.
    “Great. Seven it is. Oh, how should I dress?” I inquired.
    “Business casual, a little nicer than you have on. No golf shirts. Do you play golf? I think that’s the only type of shirt I’ve seen you wear.” Betty informed me of my fashion short comings, in no uncertain terms.
    “I’ll do some shopping as soon as breakfast is over. I just get used to wearing shirts that allow for easy movement. Golf and T-shirts tend to be the most flexible when I have to get physical and no, I don’t play golf, but I do fish.”
    “I don’t know John, you’re scaring me. You sound like you’re a bad man and I don’t want to be involved with a bad man again, so I think I’ll have to…” I interjected.
    “Whoa… I’m one of the good guys who occasional works, unintentionally, for bad people. When you’re with me, I’m your body guard. Nothing bad will happen to you because they have to go thru me first. Plus it’s just drinks and you’ll have your own car. You can leave whenever you like. It’s just a drink and we’ll see where it goes. I’m even going to buy a couple of new shirts just for you. I’ll even bring flowers.” Boy, was I reaching.
    Betty held up her hand to stop me. “Okay, I’m only agreeing to one semi-date, tonight at seven, at the Sapphire Club on South Gay Street. So is it French toast again?” She asked.
    “Are your biscuits and gravy mild or spicy?” I asked trying to show I was unpredictable.
    “We have both, which would you like?” she asked in reply.
    “I’ll have the mild,” I stated while smiling ear to ear.
    “Good choice,” She retorted. “I’ll be back with your milk and OJ in sec hon. Biscuits and gravy coming up.”
    We didn’t get a chance to talk again through breakfast. She’d gotten quite a bit busier as the breakfast rush got heavier. I made sure she knew when I was leaving and left my usual decent tip, 30% in her case. Then instead of saying see you tomorrow; I said, “See you at seven.”
    To get to know the area, I used needing a new shirt as my excuse to drive up and down Kingston Pike, Knoxville’s main shopping district, finally stopping at the West Town Mall. While out driving I called Holston’ office and set up a meeting at the House of Ale in the Turkey Creek Mall which was a couple of miles west of here. I picked it because I liked the billboard I saw advertising it. Holston wasn’t too happy about having to drive out to the mall but it was far better security to meet in a different, seemingly random place. That way, no one had an easy time