The Odds - Jeff Strand Page 0,9
been clear enough,” said Ethan, leaning forward. “I want to know why you’re here.”
“My job takes me all over the country. I like to sample the best of the local cuisine. If we ran into each other in some low-rated dive, I’d understand your concern, but I’m at one of the most popular barbecue restaurants in the city, at the standard time that most people eat dinner. Personally, I was delighted that we ran into each other, but now you’ve ruined the moment.”
“Bullshit.”
“I thought we left on such good terms, Ethan. Why are you being so antagonistic? Your life is better for having met me, don’t you think?”
“We didn’t play Yahtzee. I was glad we met, but let’s be real with each other, it was a sinister, fucked-up game and I want to know why you’re here.”
“You want full honesty from me?”
“Yes.”
“The same kind of honesty you gave me about your children? How honest were you with your wife? Did you tell her the full story? Did you tell her how you were walking around the casino like a zombie?”
“I told her everything.”
“Really? If I went over there and introduced myself, you’re saying that I could engage her in conversation about our experience without contradicting anything you might have told her?”
“Are you going to make me call the police?”
Rick blinked in surprise. “That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think? You’re the one who interrupted my meal. I’m here in a public place. If you looked out your window in the middle of the night and saw me standing in your front yard, sure, you’d have every right to be concerned about your family’s safety. But I’m here trying to enjoy some top-notch barbecue, and I don’t appreciate you accusing me of stalking you. Call the police if you want. I’ll show them my schedule of business meetings for tomorrow. I now regret choosing you. Sixty thousand dollars in prize money and you treat me like I’m lurking in your closet in a clown mask.”
“Stay away from me,” said Ethan.
“I didn’t go near you.”
Ethan returned to his table. His back had been to Jenny, but she’d obviously been able to tell that it was a tense conversation. Instead of trying to fake a smile, Ethan sat down, rolled his eyes, and sighed.
“What was that all about?” Jenny asked.
“Some jackass at work,” Ethan said. “I’m having major headaches with the auditors because he didn’t get me the paperwork on time.”
“So you interrupted his dinner?”
“Yeah. No big deal. We worked it out.”
“It doesn’t seem appropriate to harass one of your co-workers while he’s having dinner,” said Jenny. “Couldn’t that have waited until you were back in the office?”
She didn’t believe him. Not at all. Excluding business trips, Ethan was very big on keeping his work life separate from his home life, and interrupting dinner with his family to go gripe at a co-worker was completely bizarre behavior. He’d have to acknowledge this or she wouldn’t let it drop.
“It could have,” Ethan admitted. “It absolutely could have. He just caused some serious problems for me, and he works from home most of the time. But you’re right. It was inappropriate. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Maybe you should apologize to him,” Jenny said.
Was she testing him? She had to be. She was trying to catch him in the lie. Shit.
“That’s a good idea,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
He got up and returned to Rick’s table. Rick, looking surprised, set down his fork with a piece of brisket still on it.
“My wife thinks I should apologize for disturbing your meal,” said Ethan.
“Does she, now?”
“So I am apologizing for disturbing your meal. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my intrusion.”
“I think I can get over it.”
“Good.” Ethan returned to his own table. “We’re cool,” he informed Jenny.
“Glad to hear it.”
Did she believe him now? He couldn’t tell. She might believe him, or she might have just decided to let it drop.
Rick left a few minutes later without looking at their table.
No way was him being here a coincidence. Not a chance in hell.
4
Jenny didn’t mention it again. She seemed okay, as far as Ethan could tell. When he made a mild effort to initiate lovemaking, she wasn’t receptive, but that wasn’t necessarily a sign that anything was wrong. Twelve years into their marriage, he certainly wasn’t batting a thousand in terms of getting laid.
Ethan had no idea what to do about Rick. He’d said nothing threatening, and