Page 26 of Lethal Seduction

"Does this have to do with the murder that happened by the water trap?" he asks.

I nod.

"Sure does," Joe says. "We're still actively investigating."

"Oh," he says. "For some reason, I thought it was all over and done since you guys took down the yellow caution tape and hadn't been back in a couple of days."

I can see how someone would think as he does, but it can't be further from the truth. We'll be lucky if the investigation is completed within the next few months. Especially since we haveso little to go on, this could be one of those cases that remain open but cold for quite some time. Years, in fact. Although, there's no way I'll let this guy know it.

"You're the bartender here, is that correct?" I ask.

"Yep," he nods. "There are a few of us, but I'm the one on duty today until early afternoon. Then I head to another job."

“Oh,” I ask.

“Yeah, can’t make rent unless I have a side-gig,” he says with a smile. “It’s Los Angeles, and I wasn’t born to one of those rich families.”

"Got it," Joe says with a knowing nod. Neither he or I were born with a silver spoon in our mouths. "I'm curious… the mixed drinks… do you put umbrellas in them?"

"Sometimes," he says. "Just depends on the drink."

"Okay," I say. "How do you make your Mia Tia? Do you put fresh fruit in them?"

J.B. cocks his head to the side. He's trying to figure out where our inquiries are leading, which isn't that unusual when questioning witnesses. "Yep. We put pineapple in them, but honestly, our clientele is very particular. They'll ask for all kinds of things to garnish their drinks. Berries, oranges, pineapple, peaches. You name it. This isn’t a place where we get to say no when areasonablerequest is made." He uses air quotes and a roll of his eyes to get his point across loud and clear.

"Sounds high maintenance," I say, trying to make him feel we're on his side of things.

J.B. laughs and nods. "Don't let my boss hear you say that. She gets pissy when we talk about the clients in a negative light."

I nod. "What do you use to keep the fruit from falling to the bottom of the glass? Do you use the umbrella? Or a toothpick?"

He nods and walks around to the back of the bar. He bends down and pulls out a box, opening it. "We usually use these things." He pulls out a plastic toothpick in the shape of a golfclub. "Management tries to be cute and make the drink names match the theme of this place. It's all golf-related. For example, our Mai Tai is called Mai Tee Tai."

Joe and I glance at each other. It's a dead end, but also interesting that a toothpick with a sword was found at the crime scene which couldn’t have been supplied here. After all, swords have nothing to do with golf. Which leads us to ask, where has it come from?

"That's all we have for you today," Joe says. "I'm sure you were questioned by the police already, is that correct?"

J.B. nods. "Yeah, they asked me a ton of questions that next morning. Pretty scary that something like that can happen here. I mean, this is supposed to be a classy place."

"Murderers don't always care how much money you have or how classy your establishment is," I say, handing him my business card. "If you hear anything at all pertaining to the murders, don't hesitate to call me… day or night."

He looks at the card and then puts it into his pocket. "I sure will."

Joe and I turn and walk out of the club. Something about the image depiction of a yellow plastic drink toothpick is eating away at me, but I can't figure out why. My stomach growls, pulling me out of my train of thought.

"Time for tacos," I say, patting my stomach.

"Get in my belly," Joe says and picks up the pace to the car.

Once we sit inside, he starts the engine and speeds out of the parking lot. He doesn’t even slow down at the first turn, but somehow manages not to take it on two wheels. Clearly, I’m not the only one who’s hungry.

"Thanks again, Joe. Our conversation earlier about my dating life actually made me feel better knowing you're in my corner. And that I can come to you with anything."

"Anytime, buddy," he says as he pulls out into traffic. "Now, let's go get some grub."

13

PATRICK

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