Page 23 of A Touch of Frost
Lizard and I exchanged glances, but we said nothing to what Jesse said.
Lizard pulled his Glock and handed it to me, handle first. “I know you’re crazy enough to walk in here without any heat. He’s in his usual spot.”
I didn’t correct him. The truth was, I was older than the last time I was there. My body wasn’t as fast as it used to be. Walking in without any kind of weapon was out of the question.
After accepting the weapon and checking it, I shoved it into the empty holster on my hip then pulled my coat around it.
“Watch your six.” Lizard warned. “If you need me, you holler.”
I offered him a wink then led Jesse through the stench of old beer and stale cigarette smoke. We stepped over drunks passed out on the filthy floor as the crunch of broken glass and peanut shells shattered beneath our feet.
Slurred conversations mixed with a game on the only television in the space made for a dull throb of chaos I’d gotten used to over the years.
We found Ray sitting at the far end of the bar, tossing back liquor as though it was made of water.
“Is he going to be sober enough for us to have a talk with him?” Jesse asked. “He looks like he’s been sitting there since that comet hit the planet all those years ago.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I glanced around to take in my surroundings. “Either way, he’s going to have to tell us something.”
Before Jesse could speak again, I took the empty stool beside Ray. The bartender looked over and started making his way over. I held up a finger at him to stop him in his tracks.
“Ray.” I rested my elbow on the bar.
“Shit.” He grumbled, knocked back his final shot then shifted on his seat. “I was wondering when you’d find your way to me.”
“Then you know why I’m here.”
“I know why you’re here.” Ray waved at the bartender.
One look from me stopped the booze-man in his tracks.
“I don’t want to talk to you.” Ray grumbled. “Every time I talk to you, I wind up hurt.”
“Well, today’s your lucky day, Ray.” I told him. “Or it could just be opposites day—if you don’t talk to me, you’ll wind up hurt.”
“Shit.” Ray muttered.
I moved a little closer to him and Ray must have jumped a foot in the air. “You and I need to have a talk.” I told him. “And I’m going to need you to focus that little brain for me. Got it?”
“Fuck, Frost.” Ray glared at me. “Why me, huh?”
“Because you’re a slimy little bastard who always have your nose into other people’s business.” I snapped. “Look, I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. But you keep doing shit that brings me to your yard.”
“What’d I do now?” Ray asked. “Huh? I barely leave this chair.”
“Where’s the doctor?”
Ray stared through me, though he could barely keep his eyes open. I grabbed him by the back of the neck and instantly one of his henchmen headed toward me. When he was close enough, and without looking away from Ray, I pulled Lizard’s Glock and pressed it to the man’s forehead.
“Be a good boy.” I warned. “Take a seat.”
The man backed off. “Are you trying to make me angry, Ray?”
“I don’t know anything about a doctor.”
I brought the gun to his temple and shoved. “Donotlie to me.” I growled. “I’m going to ask you again—where is the doctor?”
“I don’t know!”
