Abhay sauntered into a rather ordinary looking pub, one which looked like any of the other hundreds of pubs around London, except this one was different. This one held his target. Simon Fitzgerald. Abhay went directly to the bar, ordered two beers, and sat down before he checked the crowded room for his mark.
There, behind him, in a booth facing the door, was Simon. He sat with his back to the wall: defensive, staring at the drink in his hand. From the number of empty bottles on the table, it seemed as if he had been here awhile, but Abhay knew for a fact, he hadn’t been. Due to the surveillance offered to Abhay through the prototype phone, he could say with full assurance that three of those six beer bottles had been left by prior patrons. Simon hadn’t waited for the pub to buss the tables before taking a seat.
Once Abhay’s beers were delivered, Abhay stood and glided over to Simon. Sliding into the opposite bench, he pushed one of the fresh beverages toward Simon. Knowing he had to speak fast or Simon would kick him out of the booth, he asked, “Woman troubles?”
Of course, this wasn’t the case. No, this brooding could be traced directly back to Lee and Adam. Lover and Enemy. So Simple.
“No,” Simon responded curtly, his expression cold, utterly devoid of emotion, and significantly unnerving. Good thing Abhay had experience with surly men, taciturn women, and ball-busting councilors.
“You look like a man whose relationship turned sour. Did she dump you? Catch her cheating with your best mate?”
“Look,” Simon said as he made as if to leave. “I don’t know what you want but I’m not going to talk to you.”
“Stay,” Abhay commanded, blocking Simon’s exit with a well-placed boot on Simon’s bench. Casually, he leaned forward. Doing his best to look suggestive, Abhay said, “Have a beer. It’s on me.”
Simon glared at Abhay, then down at Abhay’s foot resting on the bench next to his thigh, and then back at Abhay. Finally, he settled back down and Abhay smirked. “If it’s not a woman, is it a man that’s causing you to be so… conflicted? Because if it is, he’s not worth it.”
“You don’t know what you are talking about, Jayla,” Simon snapped.
Good. Simon remembered him. “Oh, I know quite a bit,” Abhay said, taking a pull from his beer and struggling to hide his grimace. How can anyone want to drink this nasty stuff! After a few moments, when he was sure Simon wouldn’t run off, Abhay lowered his foot. He motioned to Simon to drink his beer. Still playing the game, Abhay addressed Simon with the alias Simon had used at the poker game. “So, Reece, how’s the phone? I was sad to part with it.”
Simon grunted. “Fine.”
“Good.” Abhay paused, letting Simon stew about Abhay’s motives for a minute. While he waited, Abhay took another pull from his beer. Simon did the same.
“Are you going to come play cards again anytime soon? It’s been two weeks.” Two very busy weeks hauling Mark from nursing home to nursing home, barely one step ahead of the Org and the Order.
It had been exhausting.
“No.”
Abhay raised his eyebrow in question, “And why not? You won most hands.”
“Business trip.”
“Business trips don’t take that long. What about after?”
“Why are you so interested?” Simon asked, suspicion coloring his tone.
Abhay leaned in across the table, and said in a quiet voice, “Because, Reece, I’d like to get to know you better.” He knew he was laying it on thick and the lie didn’t sit well with him, but now that he’d decided to go this route, he had to see it through.
Simon sat back abruptly, his eyes widening at the blatant come on.
Abhay used the moment of shock to add, “You’re an attractive man, and if it isn’t women troubles, well... then… maybe I have a chance.” Simon tried to leave again, and Abhay knew at once he’d pushed too far too quickly.
“Calm down, Simon,” Abhay urged. He choked back a laugh at Simon’s incredulous expression, probably at the use of his given name. “We have a lot to discuss.” Abhay’s practiced smile ought to keep the man across from him guessing and in his seat. “I can help you get what you want, guaranteed.”
Simon sat quietly, presumably contemplating Abhay’s offer. “All right, Jaya? How can you be so sure you can provide what I want?”
Abhay grinned. After seventeen days of eavesdropping through Simon’s phone, he had a damn good idea of what would motivate this Hashashin enough to work with him. “I can help you get rid of your... troubles. But in exchange, I need to locate some secrets that have been stolen from me. You can help me retrieve them.” Abhay waved to the bartender. When he had the man’s attention, he indicated a fresh drink order for two and turned back to Simon. They waited in silence for the bartender. Abhay spoke once he left, “Cheers!” He clinked his bottle against Simon’s. “I think we can have a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Simon took a sip from his new bottle of beer. “Tell me more,” he acquiesced.
Abhay laughed. Sometimes it was so easy! “I know you resent Black for being alive while your lover, Lee, is not.” Simon’s eyes narrowed in response. “As I said, I need your help locating and retrieving my secrets. In return, I will help you remove Adam Black.” Abhay smiled, “You want him to pay for what he did three years ago. You can’t do it yourself because of that ridiculous code of honor you live by. Well, I’m here to help.”
“You expect me to believe this load of bullshite?”
“Yes,” Abhay replied and drank some more beer. It still tasted like shit and it was making his brain feel fuzzy. He set the bottle aside, vowing to not drink more. He needed his wits to outsmart the Hashashin.
“What’s your game, Jaya?”
“No game.”
Simon sneered, “There’s always a game.” They sat in silence, studying each other. Finally, Simon asked, “What are these secrets you need to find?”
“The secrets, themselves, don’t concern you, only the act of their retrieval.”
Simon studied Abhay, and Abhay waited silently for Simon to work through all the variables.
“What do you want from me?” Simon asked.
Ah, the opening Abhay needed. “I need you to search your new trainee for a USB drive. Shouldn’t be too hard for you to find.”
Simon laughed as he settled back in his bench, his arm casually draped along the back of his seat as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “And you think she has it? Why?”
“A little bird told me.”
“Must be some bird,” Simon retorted.
You have no idea.
After several moments of loaded silence, Simon asked, “And getting you this drive entitles me to what, exactly? Black’s demise?”
“Yes,” Abhay replied, though he wasn’t quite sure how to do that part quite yet, but the means would come to him. He was sure of it.
“Prove it.”
“I would love to,” Abhay stifled a snicker. He seriously enjoyed this part of the negotiating process. Knowing what his buyer coveted most and being able to provide it, thrilled him, especially when he gained from it. “If you provide me with what I seek, then I will assist you in disposing of your enemy.” Abhay held still, studying the man across from him. He knew from Simon’s expression the moment he came to a decision. Simon stood, and this time, Abhay let him leave the booth without trying to stop him.
“How about a little test,” Simon said. “To prove you really can do what you are saying.”
“Yes?”
“If you can find me the only picture that exists of the night Lee and I became official, I’ll search for your drive.”
“Easy,” Abhay said, extending his hand. When they shook on it, Abhay said, “It’s a deal.”
Simon nodded and then leaned forward, bracketing Abhay’s shoulders with his hands. His cheek brushed against Abhay’s and Simon whispered into his ear, “Oh, and Abhay?” Abhay gulped. Simon knew his name. “The next time you act gay to pick up a man, do try to keep the sour expression from your eyes and lips. It destroys the illusion that you like cock.” And with that, Simon pushed himself up and away, and sauntered out of the pub.
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