“I think I almost did. Just remember I almost left this world and would have missed out on partaking in their heavenly delights, ya know? I also happen to know every fact about that chain. Thanks to that laid up time with my spleen, I studied everything that had my interest. Like the fact that after the McDonald brothers opened a BBQ stand, they realized that most of their profits derived from the sale of hamburgers. So they made it into a carhop place and established a streamlined system with a simple menu that consisted of only hamburgers, cheeseburgers, coffee, ice cream, soft drinks, and…” I smacked my lips. “… apple pie.”
Selena chuckled. “Ok, ok. I get the hint. Next up, I will get you a whole bag of them.”
I bowed my head to her in a dramatic reverence. “You are most gracious, my queen.”
Smiling, she kept shaking her head at me.
A noise went off in the room.
I paused and looked around.
“It’s the burner phone,” she told me.
I still looked around. Hell, if I knew where I put it.
She shook her head and reached over to my jeans to get the phone out of the pocket. Handing it to me, she said, “Has to be for you.”
I took it and answered, “Yes?”
“Where the hell are you?” the deep voice snapped.
I chuckled. “Well, hola to you too, Lancelot.”
“Come on man, you know he was a fake ass knight. I’m at the Executor. What’s the room number?”
“We aren’t there anymore. We’re at the Best Western.”
“Aww, I was looking forward to the ritzy rooms they have.”
“So sorry, Mr. Jetsetter.” I chuckled. “We are on the third level. Around the back.”
“I need the room number, Carlos.”
“Oh, yeah. I never noticed it though.” I looked around then asked Selena, “What room are we in?”
She took the fast food bag from my hand and handed me the keycard.
Looking down at it, I read it out loud, “One-eleven.”
“Be there in a few minutes, Castillian.”
A click from the cell sounded in my ear. Looking up, I saw Selena had cleaned everything up.
She walked over and sat in the chair next to me. “Which one was that?”
“Hotspur.” I nodded. “The bodyguard. He’s a cool guy but a bit um…”
“What?” she asked.
“Like I said before he’s…Eccentric.” I shrugged. “I told you about the knight thing and he really is a Brit. He even lives in an actual castle.”
“And that makes him eccentric?”
“Kind of. I mean who lives in a fucking castle? It’s full of knight armor, 14th and 15th century paintings, candelabras and the works. He has a moat around it for fuck’s sake. But besides all of that once he finds out where we are going, he might bolt. He has some strange superstitions.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“You will soon.” I smiled at her. “I just hope he remains on board.”
