He imagined that if Coco heard the man growl at guests that way, she'd faint. Or pop Dutch over the head with a skillet.
I guess you think we've got nothing better to do downhere?
he snarled into the
phone.
You'll getit when it's ready.
He hung up and snagged a plate.
Ordering
champagne and fancy cake this time of night. Newlyweds. Ha! Haven't seen hide nor hair of the two in number three all week.
Where's your romance, Dutch?
I leave that to you, lover boy.
His ham-size fists delicately cut into the chocolate gateau.
Seen the way you was eyeing that redhead.
Strawberry blonde,
Nathaniel corrected.
More gold than red.
Bravely he took
another sip of rum.
She's a looker, isn't she?
Never seen you go for one that wasn't.
With an artist's flair, Dutch ladled vanilla sauce on the side of the twin slices of cake and garnished them with raspberries.
Got a kid, doesn't she?
Yeah.
Nathaniel studied the cake and decided he could probably force down a
small piece.
Kevin. Dark hair, tall for his age.
A smile curved his lips. Damned if
the boy hadn't gotten to him.
Big, curious eyes.
Seen him.
Dutch had a weakness for kids that he tried to hide.
Okay-looking boy.
Comes around with those other two noisy brats, looking for handouts.
Which, Nathaniel knew, Dutch dispensed with gxeat pleasure behind the mask of a scowl.
Got herself in trouble pretty young.
Nathaniel frowned at that. It was a phrase, too often used to his way of thinking, that indicated the woman was solely responsible for the pregnancy.
It takes two, Dutch.
And the bastard was stringing her along.
I know. I know. I heard about it. Not much gets past me.
it wasn't hard to finesse
information out of Coco if he pushed the right buttons. Though he'd never admit it, that was something he looked forward to doing daily. He buzzed for a waiter, taking delight in holding his thumb down until the kitchen door swung open.
Make
up a tray for number three,
Dutch ordered.
Two gat-o's, bottle of house champagne, two flutes, and don't forget the damn napkins.
That done, he tossed back his own rum.
Guess you'll be wanting a piece of this now.
Wouldn't turn it down.
Never known you to turn down food or a female.
Dutch cut a slice a great deal