Page 124 of Smoke and Glitter

Then I put the keys in my pocket and get out of the truck.

She gave me this morning because she was ready. She didn't give me tonight because I'm unhappy with how it ended.

I walk inside.

Vibes is still a few hours from opening. Tony is behind the bar unpacking a liquor delivery while Bex stands near the stage with one of the performers, both of them looking up at a light cue that seems to be causing an argument.

Tony glances over when the door shuts behind me.

"How'd it go?"

I stop.

He has a bottle of tequila in one hand and a box cutter in the other.

"When did my personal life become part of your shift responsibilities?"

"It didn't." He slides the bottle onto the back bar. "You just look like shit."

"Good talk."

"Happy to help."

He bends over the case again while I head for my office.

"Courier brought something for you."

I look toward the doorway.

A long, flat box is leaning against the wall.

"When?"

"Maybe twenty minutes ago. I signed for it."

"You inspect it for explosives?"

"No, but now I feel like I skipped a step."

"Next time."

I pick it up.

It's heavier than it looks. The return label belongs to a metal fabricator I don't recognize, and nothing on the box explains why my name is on it.

I carry it into the office and set it across the desk.

Whoever packed it had trust issues. I cut through one layer of tape, then another, peel back heavy cardboard and find foam wrapped around something flat and solid. Cool metal touches my fingertips when I pull the last sheet of paper away.

Brass.

I lift it out.

SMOKE

Beneath it, in smaller lettering:

PILSEN EST. ______