Same state, different area.”

“How bad is it?”

“Sixteen dead, hundreds deathly ill. The whole state’s in a panic.”

Jimmy says, “When did that happen? I was watching TV an hour ago.”

“People started getting sick three days ago, but no one pieced it together till they started dropping like flies. Now they say terrorists pumped poison into the water supply. So far it’s just one neighborhood, but it could happen anywhere. They’re telling people across the country to report any suspicious activities around water companies or fire hydrants.”

“Fuckin’ terrorists. Planes, nukes, poisoned water. What’s next?”

“There’s actually some good news,” bartender says. “Radiation study’s finished. Three miles outside the blast site, levels are virtually zero, thank God.”

“Maybe we dodged a bullet,” Jimmy says.

Mike waits till the bartender leaves before saying, “That’s what happened to me.”

“What’re you talking about?”

“The van that blew up.”

“What about it?”

“I was two miles away when it happened.”

“In Virginia?”

Mike nods. “That’s the blue van I was in Friday night.”

“With Sadie?”

Mike nods. “And I got out just before it blew all to hell.”

Jimmy’s jaw drops. “You tell the cops?”

Mike shakes his head.

“Why not?”

“Would you want to be witness to a fuckin’ terrorist act? If these guys can detonate a nuclear weapon fifty miles from the White House they can sure as shit kill me! And anyway, I’m not the only one who was in the van that night. The doctors know as much as I do.”

“What doctors?”

“The Swingin’ Grouchos.”

Jimmy gives him a look.

Mike says, “Medical students who play in a band. They—”

Jimmy waves him off. “Let’s save that part for later. Tell me about Sadie.”

“I don’t think she made it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think she was in the van when it blew up. Her and some hillbilly guy.”

Jimmy frowns. “I don’t believe this.”

“What?”

“You’ve gotta be the worst story teller in the world. The girl dies? Jesus! You should’ve saved that part for later. You really killed the mood.”

Mike shrugs.

Jimmy sets his glass on the table and stares at it. Turns it with his hands till it makes a full circle. Then says, “At least tell me you fucked her.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble.”

“But you were going to, right? I mean, why else would she invite you to her hotel?”

“To protect her girlfriend.”

“She was gay?”

“No, gutter brain. Her best friend was a girl.”

“Protect her from what?”

 

 

 

 

3.


 

“SADIE’S FRIEND MET a wealthy businessman online and agreed to have sex with him for a ton of cash. Sadie was worried something might go wrong.”

“Like what?”

Mike thinks a minute. “I don’t know. Like maybe the guy that showed up might not be the guy she thought, or maybe he’d turn out to be a creep, or maybe he’d try to hurt her, or not pay her. That sort of thing.”

“How much was he gonna pay?”

“Five grand.”

“Bullshit! No one’s worth five grand.”

“This girl was. According to Sadie.”

“Can’t be. Not if she’s a hooker.”

“She’s not a hooker. But for five grand—”

“Right. Who wouldn’t?”

“Exactly.”

“So what happened?”

“She and her friend had connecting rooms. We’d be in Sadie’s room, and the connecting doors would be slightly open so we could hear what was happening. If things went bad for Sadie’s friend, we’d burst in and protect her.”

“You weren’t worried they were setting you up?”

“No. She was definitely scared.