Desmond collapsed into his seat at the table in the restaurant, as tired as a Hebrew slave. This trip that Carl had sent him on had been a backbreaker. Three clients a day, for three days straight.” I’m sorry to do this to you, Des,” he said, with that hint of a smirk that he always had when giving bad news. ”But no one else can go. And everybody knows that when you do something, it gets done right. So, you’re my guy in Iowa next week.”
I’m his guy, riiight
. Desmond picked up the menu and was mulling over his choices when his cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hi, honey.” Samantha’s voice flowed over microwaves like water, and Desmond felt some of the weariness drain away.
“Hearing you makes me realize why I do this out of town traveling shit.” Desmond said. ”How’s everything? I miss you.”
“I miss you, too Des. Things are okay; I got the third draft of the book back from the editor today. She says if it doesn’t sell, she’ll put my books out herself. How’s the cornfield?”
“Tiring as all hell. Nine clients in three days, and all of them want to know how not to pay taxes and stay out of jail. When I explain that the two are mutually exclusive, they act surprised, and I just want to barf.”
“Barf?” Samantha laughed her good laugh, the throaty one with the edge of secret knowledge. “ I haven’t used that word since the fourth grade. Did you tell them that you don’t work for Arthur Andersen?”
“Yeah, but they still want me to commit crime. Hey, I’m at a restaurant right now and I need to order. Fuck, I’m tired. Can I call you when I get back to my room?” Des flagged down a waitress, ordered coffee.
“Sure.” Sam giggled. “Sure, you can call me when you get in. Maybe I can take your mind off of being so tired.”
Phone sex! Hell, yes.
“I would like that. I’ll see you later.” The waitress was back. ”Love.”
“Love to you too, big boy.”
Des punched end and ordered the rib eye.
At nine thirty that night, Des slid his keycard through the reader and opened his hotel room door, breathing in the refrigerated Ramada air.
We make almost five million a year in fees, and Carl puts me in a damn Ramada.
Briefcase on bed, shoes off to the side, tie and shirt over a chair. Desmond had stopped on the way to the hotel and picked up gin, limes tonic and juice for the morning. He took a bathroom glass, filled it with ice from a bucket, and built a drink, with a double shot of gin. He had just flopped down, and clicked on
The Sopranos
when the phone rang.
Dammit, I said no calls after nine! He thought as he yanked the phone off of the cradle. “Hello!” he growled.
“ Mr. St. James, this is Nina at the front desk? There is a delivery for you. Would you like it brought up?”