Flipping through my mental appointment book, I checked out my itinerary for tonight. It would be a titillating evening of television, then tossing and turning in bed trying to fall asleep.
Be still my beating heart.
I considered making a drink and drawing a bath, but then I was seized by a fit of spontaneity and decided to actually go out and do something. Two nights in a row. I'm such a party animal.
Changing into jeans and a sweatshirt, I once again took the route to Joe's Pool Hall. The night was crisp, and it being Friday, the streets were packed with kids. I passed a group of guys who were tossing out catcalls to every girl that passed.
They didn't catcall me at all, the little snots.
Joe's was busier than usual, but Phineas Troutt had secured a corner table, methodically pocketing ball after ball. He wore khakis and an open flannel shirt over his T-shirt. I bought two beers and carried them over.
'Are you looking for a game, or do you want to play with yourself all night?' I asked.
He banked an eight into the side pocket.
'You willing to put money on it?'
'I got two bucks says I kick your butt.'
'That's a boastful two bucks.'
I let him see the color of my money, tossing two singles on the rail as if they were hundreds. Phin sunk his final ball and squinted at me.
'Loser racks. And if memory serves, you lost our last game. The last several, in fact.'
I handed him a beer.
'All part of the hustle. I'll own your car by midnight.'
He took a pull on the bottle.
'Thanks. I'm really glad you stopped by.'
'Got a thing for older cops?'
'Actually, I have to piss like a racehorse. Didn't want to leave the table because I'd lose it.'
He excused himself and trotted off to the bathroom.
While he was occupied, I racked the balls and executed a sledgehammer break, pocketing a stripe and a solid. I chose to keep solids, putting in three more before Phin returned.
I pointed to the far left pocket and knocked another solid down.
'I see you've taken advantage of my absence by cheating your ass off.'
I politely told him to engage in a carnal impossibility, and pocketed another solid.
Running a table isn't easy. Not only do you have to sink the balls, but you have to position the cue ball to have a shot at the next ball. I had a good eye for the game, and knew how to plan ahead, but sometimes my talent wasn't up to my knowledge.
I chalked my cue and walked over to my next shot, a tricky bank into the far corner. Just as I brought the stick back, I was shoved roughly from behind.
'What the hell?' I turned around, irritated.
Staring down at me was a very big and very ugly man. He had scar tissue for a face, and a flat, crooked nose that was no stranger to being broken. I could smell the mean on him like I could smell the booze. As he narrowed his little eyes at me, I was reminded of Bluto from Popeye fame. Except that Bluto was smaller. And a cartoon.
'You spilled my beer, you little bitch.'
He said it loud enough for the whole bar to hear, spittle flecking off his fat lips.
Phin, who is no shorty himself, grabbed the guy's shoulder and looked up at him.
'Cool it, buddy. She's a cop.'
The big man shrugged Phin off, focusing on me again.
'What are you gonna do about it?' Bluto snarled. Then he spit on my shoes.
We all live by rules. Cops have more rules than most, especially when dealing with irrational people. One of those rules was never to provoke them, especially when they're bigger than a small town.
But rules, as they say, are meant to be broken.
'You need a breath mint,' I said evenly. 'I'd suggest you go buy yourself a pack. Right now.'
Bluto sneered. I was aware that people around us had stopped playing to watch. Like a fool, I hadn't worn my gun, even though regulations stated I should wear it off-duty. But I wasn't even sure that a gun would make a difference with this guy. He had to go six seven, and anything short of a bazooka probably wouldn't slow him down.
'You want me to leave, pig?' He smiled.
Then he sucker punched me in the gut.
I barely had time to clench my abs and twist my torso to deflect some of the blow. It still knocked me off my
