Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(30)
“That is troubling.” Salvatore motioned for the server, and she nodded at him to wait as she took care of a nearby table.
“You’re ordering even though I have nothing you want?”
“The food smells delicious.”
“Why are you sticking your nose in our case?”
“Murder is always our jurisdiction. You should be the one coming up with excuses for your ongoing investigation.” Salvatore tipped his hat to the server, who was more than happy to sidle to him and get more of that bright smile aimed at her.
“Welcome! How may I help you?”
“I’ll have a swiss burger. Lettuce, tomato only, and rings.”
“How do you like your burger cooked?”
“Rare as your lovely smile,” Salvatore said.
Jeremy wanted to stab his eye with his fork.
“You’re a sweetie. And what to drink?”
“A lemonade, please.”
“All right. I’ll pop it out as soon as it’s done.”
Salvatore clutched the sweater over his chest. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, ma’am.”
The server winked at him and walked to the cooking area with a pep in her step to give them the new order.
Jeremy drummed his fingers on the table. “While I appreciate honey being thrown at me instead of a stick, hounding me is uncalled for.” Especially when we both know that stick is coming out very soon.
“I believe my position makes me the judge of that.”
Under the table, Jeremy took out his phone. Sliding his drink closer to the table’s edge gave him an excuse to glance down at his lap. His scrolled through the contacts list until he clicked on Simone’s number to text. Drawing in a long sip, Jeremy typed out his message the best he could, glad that he had the letters’ positions memorized.
“You don’t have service in here,” Salvatore said.
“Excuse me?”
“You have no phone service.”
Part of Jeremy wanted to say sod it and aim his best curse at Salvatore. A quick protection ward over the patrons and see if the big bad witch could live up to his reputation. “I wonder why.”
The waitress returned with a tray of drinks and placed one of the lemonades in front of Salvatore. She turned to Jeremy. “Your food will be out soon.”
“Thank you.” When she left, Jeremy openly plopped his phone on the table. There were no bars and a message saying the phone was disconnected when he clicked the Talk button. He glanced at several other patrons playing on their gadgets without any problems. “For an overseer of justice and equality, you’re a prick. I can walk out whenever I feel like it.”
“You can certainly walk, but you can’t drive.”
A bulb overhead exploded. Servers scrambled to make sure their patrons were okay and offered to recook any meals near the scattered glass.
Salvatore frowned with fatherly concern that didn’t fit his youthful face. “You should be careful about that temper while in public.”
I’m letting him get under my skin. If I don’t stay calm, I might give him a legitimate reason to bring me in. Jeremy cracked his neck on both sides. He breathed out slowly. “What do you want?”
“To be a listening ear in case there’s anything you want to get off your chest.” Salvatore plucked his cigar out of his pocket and rolled it through his fingers. “Perhaps something you’ve suddenly remembered and don’t want to discuss in front of your business associates.”
“If you have a problem believing that I’ve told the Council everything I know, write an official charge. You have no right to harass me.” Their server came with Jeremy’s platter of a cheddar burger with its toasted bun lying on the side. “Thank you.” When they were alone again, Jeremy said, “We’re done speaking, so set my things back to rights.”
“I’ll consider it when I return from the bathroom.” Slapping his napkin on the table, Salvatore jumped to his feet and left Jeremy with his mouth hanging open.
Ice clinked inside Salvatore’s glass as smaller pieces broke and rose to the surface. His drink left unaccompanied with a witch who clearly didn’t like him. It was a dare. No sane person would consider tampering with one of the Council’s meals, but wasn’t there some caution to be adhered to? The restrooms were in a tiny hall past the kitchen. Salvatore could be lying in wait, hoping for Jeremy to curse his food and hold him for questioning afterward. Trap or not, he was toying with Jeremy. Jeremy scoured their conversation for every word spoken to help any self-defense claim he made. Two minutes, max, to make a decision. Jeremy removed a tonic from his inside pocket and downed it. He closed his eyes as the pain was soothed away, but the desire to attempt his own nosiness didn’t lessen.
Quickly looking around for any witnesses, Jeremy reached into his shoe. A thin vial trapped between the cloth and laces touched his fingers. He pulled it out and flipped the top up. While the other patrons were engaged in their own conversations, he dashed two green drops into Salvatore’s lemonade. Instead of turning the light yellow drink darker, the potion blended with the drink as if it was a clear substance. Jeremy dipped his spoon into the mixture and rubbed it on Salvatore’s straw for saliva. He swirled the spoon so the lemonade trapped in it brushed the metal edges. He laid it down on his side of the table just as Salvatore came around the corner.