Phil opened the chair at the table. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he said to Reynard as he sat down. “Traffic was bad.”
Reynard nodded. “I haven’t seen your reports lately.”
“Nothing new to report. The Trey Kings aren’t forthcoming with their information.”
“And Scott?”
“He’s going after them, too.”
“That’s not what I want to know.”
Phil leaned forward. “Rey. I can’t hurt him.”
Rey’s eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
“He’s a healer. He doesn’t get hurt.”
“So you have to overwhelm him.” Reynard lifted the menu. “I understand today is official Lobster Day.”
“It’s also Comic Book Day.”
The waiter came over and Reynard asked for a “delicate, not fruity, white wine.” Phil was going to ask about the business, but Reynard said, “How often have you had sex with Scott?”
“A few times,”
“Did you enjoy it?”
Phil shrugged. “It was interesting.”
“What do you like most about him?”
“He’s very self-reliant.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“With all due respect, I don’t think you need to know about my sex life.”
They glared at each other silently over the table. The waiter arrived, and saw the battle of wills. He was patient. He waited. Phil started to sweat. Reynard broke the stare to look at the waiter. Phil looked down at the table.
Reynard held the wine glass for the waiter and the waiter poured. Reynard sniffed, moved the wine around. “No. This won’t do,”
“Yes, sir,” said the waiter, taking the glass and wine away.
He turned to Phil. “Well?”
Phil muttered something. Reynard exhaled a sound, and Phil snapped his head up. “His chest,” he blurted.
“More specifically?”
“His nipples,” Phil whispered. He wiped sweat off his brow and neck with the linen napkin.
Reynard said, “Don’t make me spell you again, Phillip. You will answer my questions fully. Do you understand?”
The waiter returned, and opened the bottle in front of Reynard. He poured the wine in a clean glass, handing it to Reynard. Reynard performed the same actions again, but this time sipped the wine. “Is this actually the best you have?”
“I will have to get the wine steward – ”
“Do you have any idea who I am? I am the CEO of one of the largest suppliers of military and police magical items in the world.” He thrust the wine glass at the waiter. “I expected to be served by the wine steward already, and I expected something delicate, not the swill you serve at the bar. I’ll give you one more chance. And then I will never come back here again.”
The waiter scrimped and took the wine away. Reynard turned his attention back to Phillip, who was nearly squirming in his seat. “How often have you had sex with him?”
“Lost count.”
“Good. It’s unfortunate that he and his husband have their open marriage or I would have blackmailed him by now.” Reynard leaned back in his chair. “Who else did you have sex with?”
“Another man.”
Reynard raised an eyebrow. “I never thought you would swing that way, Phillip. Why, what would your ex-wife and children say?”
Phil looked pained. “Please, Reynard. Don’t.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t blackmail you. My most loyal employee.”
This time, the maitre’d showed up with the waiter. He carried a wine bottle, which he opened at the table. Reynard took a sip from the small amount poured. “Much better, but still not quite. The 2012 Rieslings I have are better than this.”
“I apologize, sir, but this is a 2007 Chardonay–”
Reynard waved a hand. “Leave it. We won’t be staying.”
The maitre’d left the bottle. Reynard sipped from the glass, not offering any to Phil. “I’ve made a decision. Kill the healer. Overwhelm him with injuries and make sure he’s dead. I want proof.” He tapped the wine glass against his chin.
Phil said, “I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t?”
“I…”
“Don’t tell me you’re in love with him.”
“No.”
“In lust?”
“Reynard, you’ll need to send someone else because I can’t do it.”
“You care about him.” Reynard slammed the glass down. “I don’t believe it. A few sexual encounters and you care.”
“Take me off this. I’ve failed you.”
Reynard rose. “You have failed me. Unless you find your way out of this, you may suffer his fate. Or worse.”
He turned and left, leaving the bottle of wine. Phil poured himself a glass and drank it without tasting it.