Cold Dark Heart by Julie Kriss

Seven

Damon

The Sheffer Whiskeyguy didn’t like me. He was fiftyish, with thinning hair and a mild paunch, the kind of guy that is a dime a dozen. I knew instantly that he likely had two kids he mostly ignored, he liked to golf, and when he was alone with his buddies they made off-color jokes and complained about how “you can’t say anything anymore.” He had expected a meeting with just Andie, who was hot and single. He was probably curious because she was Terry’s ex and he wondered if he could flirt with her, since she was newly divorced. Instead, he not only got Andie, he got me.

And apparently I’d just quit smoking, so I wasn’t in the mood for his shit.

We were sitting in his office after he’d given us a quick tour of the facilities. Andie had nodded politely as the guy—his name was Dave—talked on and on, though I knew she didn’t drink. Dave would take her nods as encouragement and lean closer to her, smiling as he talked. Then he’d catch sight of me and he’d back away again.

“It’s crazy, what happened with Terry,” Dave said now, shaking his head as he sat in the chair behind his desk. “Just crazy.”

Andie’s voice got decidedly frosty at the mention of Terry. “Yes,” she said. “Crazy.”

“I mean, we did business for years. He seemed like a standup guy. We even went golfing together.”

Bingo,I thought.

“Can’t believe he just up and left town.” Dave kept talking, unaware that he was pissing Andie off.

“Yes, well.” Andie opened the messenger bag she’d brought and pulled out some papers. “I’ve been going through the accounts, and I’ve found a few things.” She cleared her throat. “It seems we owe you money.”

“Do you?” Dave’s eyebrows went up. “The Wild was always up to date with the accounts.”

“I’m still figuring everything out.” Andie held up an invoice. “From what I can tell, this one from last month wasn’t paid. And this one here,” she pulled out another paper, “doesn’t have a date on it, but it doesn’t look paid either. It’s a little unclear what this one is for.”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Dave waved a hand, dismissive, and then he smiled. “We’re probably up to date. Terry and I didn’t discuss that stuff much, to be honest. We had more of a handshake relationship, you might say.”

“A handshake relationship?” Andie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. I was seated in the chair next to hers, silent. It was Andie’s job to handle the meeting. I was just the muscle.

“Sure,” Dave said. “We’d ship to the Wild, and Terry and I would let the accountants worry about the details and such. Often, I’d make the delivery myself, and then he and I would sit in his office and sample the goods, if you know what I mean.” He grinned again. “You and I can have the same relationship, if you like. I think it would be mutually beneficial.”

“Would it?” I asked, the first time I’d spoken.

Dave looked at me, and the smile faded from his face.

Andie seemed not to notice the tension between Dave and me. She leaned forward in her chair. “So your accountant might know whether these invoices are paid? They might be able to tell me what this invoice is for?”

“Ah, my accountant is off sick today, I think,” Dave said, pulling his gaze off me and back to her.

“That’s too bad. Can you give me their phone number? Or their email? The only contact info I could find in Terry’s papers was yours.”

Dave scratched the back of his neck. “Well sure, Andie—may I call you Andie? I can send you whatever you want over email. I’ll find the info and send it when my accountant is back in the office.” He smiled at her again. “In the meantime, would you like a sample? Since you came all this way.”

Andie levelled a glare at him. “I drove,” she said. “It’s the middle of the afternoon. I can’t drink whiskey while I’m here, and I don’t drink anyway. What I need is—”

“What you need is to calm down,” Dave said.

The words came out harsh, belying his shit-eating grin. There was a second of silence in the office, thick and menacing. I could take this guy, I thought, my instincts kicking in. Easy. My muscles tensed.

Then Dave laughed. “You’re obviously new to the business, Andie,” he said jovially. “We don’t take things so seriously here. It’s about relationships, and if we want to take a little product-testing break during the workday, we let ourselves cut loose. Do you see what I’m saying?”

Andie looked shaken, her confidence thrown. Give her some invoices and a list, and she was in her element, but she wasn’t in her element here. I was suddenly glad I’d come.

“I’m just trying to square things,” she said, her tone softer than before. “I don’t want our relationship with our vendors to go sour.”

“There’s no worry about that.” Dave pushed his chair back and stood. “Our relationship with the Wild is as good as ever, Terry or no Terry. And as much as I liked him, I have to say you’re easier on the eyes.” He winked at her and held out his hand to shake.

Andie paused, then pushed her chair back as well. “Okay, thank you.” She shook his hand.

He didn’t shake mine. I didn’t offer.