It was filling up. I was bumping into too many friends and patrons to wade through to Fabrizio. I craned up to spot him. At the Captain’s station – wait! Was that her?! No… Another brunette on the arm of a legit businessman. My head ached. I had to watch out for her, Mr. D. and any strangers. That street urchin sipping coffee, what the heck was that?

“Vincenzo! How are you tonight?” Came from behind me. I spun slowly and purposefully, my face wiping from consternation to warmth.

“Ah, Robert, if you are here it must be Thursday. And who is joining you, holding up your right side from collapse?” I said to Robert Sterne, a big wig attorney from Wee, Cheatham and Howe. I wanted to ditch him and get to Fabrizio, but this guy’s tab alone could rescue me from Mr. D.

“This, my friend, is Rosa.” A buxom Latina batted thick eyelashes at me, “and this, Rosa, is Mr. Otellio, the one and only owner of The Topaz.”

“It is my honor to make your acquaintance.” I bowed slightly into her cleavage.