After a while, Horace rang up, "Hey Hunter, I got so intel. The guy who popped Sam was called Viper.
He’s a regular at the Gentleman’s Club, who usually shows up on Wednesday or Friday nights.
Sotis he carries a bag with him, which was puffed up before he goes in, but deflated when he leaves. Looks like he’s making so shady deals."
"Can you dig up a list of the usual suspects at the club when Viper is in attendance?"
"Sure thing." After Horace gave his report, he added, "Look, Boss, Viper skipped his club visit last week and didn’t show up this past Wednesday. It’s Friday tonight. Maybe we hit the jackpot if we swing by?"
"Let’s do it."
"Alright, I’ll swing by to pick you up at 7."
After hanging up, Rosemary told Roo she had to step out for the night and suggested he hang out with so buddies.
"I’ll just wait for you at the hotel."
He had just t with friends earlier that day and felt not in the mood for more socializing. He preferred to wait for her at the hotel, ready to lend a hand if needed.
As the clock neared seven, Roo wanted to ask her about her plans, about how many of her crew would be with her, and whether they were up against a big group, but he feared prying too much would upset her.
Seeing that he tried to speak several tis but stopped, while frequently checking the ti, clearly reluctant to see her go, Rosemary couldn’t help but smile at his concern.
"Don’t worry, it’s just a little apprehension."
With her skills, she wasn’t the one who should be worried.
"When do you think you’ll be back? I’ll order so late-night snacks for us." Roo reached out to touch her face. Even knowing her capabilities, he couldn’t help but worry about her every ti she
stepped out on a job.
"If I’m not back by midnight, go ahead and get so sleep."
"Is the target that tough to catch?"
"Not tough, just there are a lot of unknowns, like it’s not clear if that guy will show up tonight, and whether he’ll et with his cronies. If he’s planning to hit a spot, we might get a lead on their hideout,
maybe even the big fish behind it all. If that happens, I might not be back so soon."
Roo’s eyes dimd at the thought, as the danger she might face weighed on him.
Right then, a rapid knock on the door broke the tension.
"I’ll get it," Roo volunteered, "Go get changed."
She always switched into casual wear for her outings, tying her long hair up into a bun.
As the door swung open, the person outside blurted out, "Boss."
Seemingly caught off guard by Roo answering the door, Horace paused, with his eyes widening, as he saw Roo in his white robe and figured he probably lived here.
Horace’s eyes bulged as he peered around, but he didn’t spot his boss.
What was going on here?
Had they just been?
"Co in," Roo said, making a commanding presence despite his politeness; Horace hesitated and was clearly intimidated.
They had been introduced over video before, but seeing Roo in person was sothing else.
Roo had quite the aura.
Spotting no sign of his boss in the living room, Horace couldn’t help but say, "Mr. McMillian, I ca to pick up my boss.."
"She’s changing," Roo gestured for him to take a seat, "What’ll you have?"
"Nothing for , thanks." Horace swallowed hard, not daring to have Roo wait on him. He quickly added, "I grabbed sothing on the way over."
"You’re joining Rose on her job tonight?" Even so, Roo poured him a cup of coffee.
Horace stood up quickly, taking the cup with both hands and profusely thanking him.
Oh man, this was coffee poured by Roo himself, brought over by his own hands.
If it weren’t for his boss, he never would’ve believed he’d be treated like this.
"She was treading carefully, not wanting to spook anyone. So she only brought along. But rest assured, Mr. McMillian, I’d lay down my life to protect her."
"Both of you co back in one piece, you hear it?"
"Absolutely!" Horace replied and soon realized he’d started to think of Roo as his boss, as he answered him with such ease.
Just then, Rosemary erged, all dressed and ready. Roo poured her a cup of coffee and handed it over.
"It’s nippy out there. Have so coffee to warm up before you go."
Rosemary looked at Horace, who quickly mouthed ’I didn’t spill anything!’
After she finished her coffee, Roo added, "If you need anything while you’re out, just holler for ."
"Will do." Rosemary, not wanting him to wait up, said, "If I’m not back by midnight, don’t wait up. Just hit the hay."
"Okay." Roo tousled her hair gently. "Be safe."
With a nod to Horace, Rosemary indicated it was ti to leave. Horace stood up imdiately, "Mr.McMillian, we should head out."
As he caught Roo’s worried and reluctant gaze, Horace reassured him, "Don’t worry, I’ve got her back."
With a nod, Roo saw them to the door.
Down the long corridor, Rosemary’s cool and determined silhouette grew distant .
Horace kept glancing back, and as they waited for the elevator, he could see Roo still standing at the door and watching them.
"Boss, you sure you don’t want to have a word with Mr. McMillian? He seems kinda torn up about you leaving."
Rosemary glanced back, only to see Roo give a little wave before he dutifully went back inside.
"Let’s focus on the task at hand."
They took the elevator down and got into the car. Rembering Roo’s anxiousness throughout the day, Rosemary pulled out her phone and shot him a ssage on WhatsApp.
[Don’t worry.] It was short and sweet, typical Rosemary, but she ended it with a comforting ’pat on the head’ emoji.
Roo, who had been in a funk, instantly felt his spirits lift.
His Rose knew he was worried!
She was comforting him in return!
And she ’patted’ his head!
Roo was overjoyed, firing back a kiss emoji—a nto from a kiss they shared long ago, which he’d turned into a sticker.
Rosemary’s lips curved into a smile.
Horace didn’t park at the Gentlen Club parking lot; instead, he parked on the street and helped Rosemary open the car door.
"Boss, I left the car here. If things go south, we’ll take a route without surveillance. I’ve mapped out our escape plan."
Rosemary was impressed by his efficiency—a promising talent worth nurturing.
Horace flashed a golden card at Rosemary, with an eyebrow raised.
"A club mbership card? How’d you get this?"
"I got it from an old-tir mber."
Horace had pulled a lot of strings for Rosemary, and therefore got to know so folks who owed him favors. Scoring a card like this wasn’t a big deal.
"It’s just on loan, though. Gotta return it later." With that, Horace led Rosemary towards the club.
The club’s entrance was manned by four male and four female staff, lined up to welco guests.
As Horace and Rosemary ascended the steps, the staff exchanged curious glances; they were evidently unfamiliar with these new faces.
"Gentlen Club extends a warm welco to you both," they greeted.
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