He Called Me Dramatic, So I Took the Club novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Twenty-Three Names

Ray came in at closing, when the chairs were already on the tables.

He wore his best vest and a clean white shirt.

A man in a gray raincoat walked a step behind him, carrying a briefcase.

"Evening, Pearl," Ray said, and took a stool at the counter. "Coffee, if there's any left."

Pearl didn't move.

"The pot's off," she said.

"Then water."

"The tap's off too."

Ray smiled and folded his hands on the counter.

Mace stood up from the booth where he'd been waiting for me, and I put a hand on his arm.

"Let him talk," I said.

"Smart girl." Ray turned on the stool to face me. "I'll keep this short."

"Please."

"The notice on the door stays up. Thirty days, and Pearl's out, and so is every other tenant of mine in this town."

"And you want me to say what?" I said.

"Church is Friday. The developer's lawyer will be there, and so will my friend here."

The man in the raincoat nodded.

"You set the sparrow down, and you vote yes, and I tear up every notice I've signed. You keep the necklace. You keep the diner. I'll even sign over the house."

"You're offering me my own father's club."

"I'm offering you a life, honey."

"You're offering me money for a murder," I said.

The diner went very still.

The lawyer looked at the floor.

Ray's smile didn't change, but his hands slowly unfolded.

"Careful," he said. "That's a word you can't take back."

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