Page 58 of Defying the Relic Hunter

“Quinn can be a bit bossy, but he does make up for it in the bedroom.”

I burst out laughing. “Are we lucky or what?”

“They are talented.”

The waitress came back. “Are you ready to order?”

“I want your house beer and the chili burger,” I said, handing her my menu.

Xenia smile at the waitress. “I’ll take the same.”

“What, no whiskey?”

“Not until the Bjarke problem has been dealt with.”

“I’ll be right back with your drinks.” The waitress walked away.

I glanced around. “I’m kinda surprised General Jones hasn’t made an appearance.”

“He can cloak his abilities. It makes it easier for him to sneak up on people.”

An itchy sensation crawled up my spine. “Incoming hostile.”

“With murder on her mind.”

The waitress propelled an elderly woman in a wheelchair up to our table. I eyed her black scarf, long black dress and white orthopedic shoes nervously. Had Luigi hired a Castello hitwoman for his vendetta?

“Your grandmother was having trouble finding you,” the waitress said.

Xenia snorted. “She’s not my grandmother.”

“Forgive her, she’s still angry I married her grandfather.” The old woman patted the waitress’s hand. “Could you be a dear and fetch me a menu?”

“Of course.” With a smile the waitress left.

Xenia slid her laser pistol out and placed it on her lap. “We weren’t expecting you for dinner,grandmother.”

“Call me Velda.”

I tried not to stare at the enormous black mole on her upper lip. It had two black hairs protruding outwards like antennas. Ewww! It kinda reminded me of a big black roach. “What can we do for you, Velda?”

“Do you have children?”

I exchanged puzzled glances with Xenia. “No, we haven’t been blessed with children.”

Velda cackled madly. “Blessed? Ain’t you a funny one? My brats always got their hand out. Ma, I need twenty bucks. Ma, I need bail money. They’re nothin’ but a bunch of worthless, lazy bastards.”

“It must be difficult.” I quickly surveyed the room. Maybe this was one of those reality shows where they pranked people.

“Difficult she says,” Velda cackled again. “My Hector robbed a bank, and do you think he’d give me some of the money? Hell no, so I turned him in and got the reward. I mean, I’m entitled to that reward money, ain’t I? Those kids ain’t helping me out. I have bills and my measly social security check ain’t getting’ me to Vegas for a bit of fun.” She winked again. “If ya know what I mean?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t a clue.”

“She’s insane,”Xenia murmured in my head.

“Or a very cunning assassin.”

Velda stuck her hand in her mouth and popped out a partial plate with two yellowed teeth. “This stupid piece of crap has never fit properly.” She dunked it Xenia’s water glass. “Luigi paid me ten thousand credits to kill you. For twenty, I’ll let you live.”

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