Chapter 34

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“Oh boy, I forgot it was a Friday night,” Rusty said as he, Robin, Arik, and John entered Mike’s. The place was hopping, the bar and every table occupied. Music pounded from the jukebox, competing with the noise of people talking loudly enough to be heard above the din of other voices.

“Maybe we should forget this?” John asked.

“Nope, not happening.” Rusty led the way to one end of the bar. “We’ll get our beers then wait for an opening.”

Robin chuckled. “And finish them and be on round two before that happens.”

Rusty grinned, saying before he flagged down the bartender, “Have faith, my lad. What Rusty wants, Rusty gets.”

The beers arrived in due course and while the others took their first drinks Rusty wandered away. Two minutes later he was back, beckoning them to follow him.

“Guess he was right,” Robin said with an amused shake of his head when they arrived at a vacant table along the far wall. “What did you do? Bribe them to leave?”