The woman’s mouth flapped open a couple of times. She narrowed her gaze and stared hard at her companion, who said and did nothing.
Bliss waved a hand. ‘It doesn’t matter. I don’t need to know your name, nor where you live. Neither do I need to know if you have kids you love to bits. You don’t know who I am, and that’s fine, too. All I need is for you to listen to me. Can you do that?’
The woman inhaled quickly and sat back, uncertain and fearful. Her eyes were fixed on his, and Bliss knew he had her full attention.
‘I have no idea how well you know the man you’re here with this evening, but my guess is that this is your first date. Believe me when I say it also has to be the last. In fact, cut it short right now. Leave with me if you like – or before me, if you prefer. But whatever you do, walk away and never so much as speak with this man again. I know you must be scared, wondering what on earth is going on. But you do not want this man in your life. Not now. Not ever. Because the man you’re sitting at this table with is pure evil.’
While he’d been talking, the woman’s breathing had become increasingly laboured. She was having trouble gathering herself, coping with the intrusion. As she was bringing herself back down from her near panic attack, Bliss became aware that a figure had appeared by his side. He looked up to see the staff member who had initially attempted to seat him.
‘Is there something wrong here?’ the man asked, switching his focus between the woman and her companion. ‘Something we can help you with?’
For the first time, Bliss faced the occupant of the other chair. ‘Tell him, Neil. Answer the man. Is there something wrong? Am I causing you problems?’
Having already set aside his cutlery, the man whose meal Bliss had interrupted sat back in his chair and folded his massive arms. Despite the seasonal chill, he wore a polo neck T-shirt, with a perfect snug fit to show off those powerful-looking biceps. Anger creased his acne-flared face, but he remained silent. He glared at Bliss, not taking his eyes off him. Bliss smiled, looked up at the member of staff, winked. ‘We’re okay here, pal. This nice lady will want her coat, though.’
‘Neil?’ the woman said, her darting eyes suddenly more fearful. ‘You told me your name was Robert. What the bloody hell is going on here?’
Bliss shook his head. ‘He didn’t even tell you his real name? I’m so sorry. I realise you must be terribly disappointed. It’s not your fault, though. Whatever else happens, don’t blame yourself; you did nothing wrong. But pond life like Neil here can’t help themselves. He gave you a false name – you have to wonder what else he lied about. Worse still, why did he lie at all? Think about that and be grateful you found out early on. When you get home, if you do have kids, give them a kiss and a warm cuddle and take comfort from knowing you’ve all had a lucky escape.’
The woman did not need any further persuasion. She stood, threw a withering look at her date, and marched towards the door. Bliss kept his eyes on her as she pulled on her coat and hurried out of the restaurant. She risked one backward glance before taking off along the pavement.
Bliss picked up the woman’s glass of wine and took a sip. Nodded and smacked his lips. ‘Not bad,’ he said, ‘for what I’m guessing is the house plonk. I doubt you splurged on anything more expensive than that. I make no apologies for ruining your evening, Neil. I thought that pleasant redhead would be better off knowing you’re a wrong ’un before she discovered for herself how wrong you can be.’
Neil Watson was only of average height, but he was squat and muscular. He worked as a physical trainer, and had clearly developed his body to the point where his physique alone might easily intimidate others. His reaction to the intrusion puzzled Bliss, though. It wasn’t anything like he had expected. Watson was known to have a temper and not slow in finding it, but he appeared to be taking this in his stride.
Bliss decided to probe a little deeper. ‘What’s the matter, Neil? You not up for a barney tonight?’
‘I’m working out the precise wording of the complaint I’m going to make against you,’ Watson said. It was the first time he’d spoken since Bliss had interrupted, and he was more composed than he had been during their previous meetings.
‘You off your ’roids, Neil? You got a piss test coming up? Is that why you’re so placid tonight?’
‘Like I said, I’m too busy thinking about how I’m going to fuck you over in other ways.’
‘I’m impressed. All that thinking must have worn you out. And by the way, what complaint? When the staff intervened you said nothing, and clearly your date for the night won’t be saying anything, either. All I did was join you at a restaurant table. Hardly crime of the century, is it?’
‘You know what you’re doing,’ Watson said. ‘And you have no right. I don’t want you here. I didn’t ask you to come. This is harassment.’
Bliss feigned surprise. ‘It is? Well, you’re entitled to your opinion. Of course, I’ll have a completely different story to tell. And I don’t see your date backing up your version, do you… Robert, was it?’
Watson said nothing for a few seconds, but something seemed to click. ‘How the hell did you know we were here? Are you following me? If you’re following me I’ll bloody well have you for that as well, Bliss. You see if I don’t.’
Bliss spread his hands and grinned. ‘Hey, when you sat down at this table I was back home contemplating a nice
