Dangerous Meeting

Libby & Barth

The bar was crowded, Libby saw, as soon as she pushed open the door. Of course, most of the bars in Coffs were generally crowded any time after 9:00 pm. Hopefully, that meant that most of the waitresses were working. She was anxious to find out if any of them or the bartender knew anything about this guy named Barth.

She made her way to the bar and managed to find an empty stool. Waiting for the bartender to notice her, she had a quick look around the place. She got a glimpse of several men who could have fit the description Richie had given her of Barth, but hopefully he'd be easier to recognize because of his tattoos.

Barth was in his usual spot the last booth against the windows so he had a clear view of anyone coming in or going out. He was on his cell phone when he saw the Sheila walk into the bar, he raked his eyes over her but was listening to his caller. He kept a notebook open on the table and a pint of beer in front of him. He adjusted the sleeve of his red shirt rolling it up a fold and running his hand through his longish black hair. He made some notes and looked up finding the Sheila again at the bar. A newbie, he thought and not the kind you usually find walking in here.

He was all business now writing down instructions in his book, checking his watch and another look out of the window. He liked this booth and used it as his ‘office’, nobody could get behind him and straight down the aisle was the back door. His call completed he lay the phone on the table and picked up his pint glass, she was still there on the barstool, he smiled a little to himself.

The bartender brought her drink and Libby got the chance to ask him if he knew a guy named Barth. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but he pointed to a booth, the last one. There was a guy sitting in it alone with a cell phone to his ear. Watching him out of the corner of her eye, Libby could see him turn up the sleeve of the red shirt he was wearing. He did have some kind of tattoo on his arm, but she was too far away to see what it was.

The guy had long hair and was writing something in a notebook. She needed to get a closer look at him, but she was undecided on how to go about it. If only it weren't so crowded in here. He didn't look like he was going anywhere soon, though, so she decided to sit for a few more minutes and figure out just how to get a little closer to him.

Barth finished his beer looked at his watch again and gathered his things into the little black leather bag he carried. He slipped out of the booth shouldering the bag by it’s strap and took his empty glass over to the bar. He was two places down from the Sheila and leaned on the bar while he waited to pay his tab. He turned and looked at her giving her a full look at what he had to offer, clearly outlined in the close fitting red shirt and black tightly fitting jeans. He wasn’t a bad looking guy, startling blue eyes in his swarthy face, a little stubble of a beard. He threw his money on the counter and walked over stopping behind her stool, he didn’t say anything he just stood there because he knew she’d been watching him, he wanted to know why.

Almost before she knew what was happening, the man named Barth had come over to the bar and was paying his tab. Libby kept her eyes on her drink, but she could tell when he'd finished with the bartender. She was getting ready to follow him when he left. Suddenly, she had a prickly feeling up her back and neck. He was standing right behind her!

She waited for a moment, thinking frantically. She'd told Richie that she wouldn't approach him. Maybe if she just kept quiet and ignored him, he'd leave. On the other hand, though, he'd apparently noticed her and would now notice any attempt she made to follow him.

Not wanting to fail at her first case, and especially one that she was working on for Richie, Libby made up her mind. Fixing a smile on her face, she turned slowly on her stool. Looked into some of the bluest eyes she'd ever seen. "Hi," she said quietly.

He looked into her eyes for a moment moistened his lips slowly, “I know you’re interested, I’m not sure why but keep that seat warm I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t leave because I’ll know…and I’ll find you,” He smiled slowly showing an even row of white teeth.

Libby had no idea where he was going, but she sat there because she had no other choice. His threat hadn't frightened her--yet. But she needed to know some more about him and she was determined not to miss this opportunity. She almost smiled. The guy actually thought she was interested in him. As if! But maybe she could pretend she was long enough to get some more information from him. She waited quietly for his return.

Barth backed his truck from the car park and drove toward the marina. He spotted the red sedan and pulled up alongside. He was given an envelope and he glanced inside, looked the man in the eye and nodded his head. It was a retainer and the right amount. The guy looked nervous and Barth smiled, “Hey, thanks…I’ll be talking to ya.” He tipped the brimmed hat he wore to him and drove off lighting a slim cigar, back to the bar and the waiting Sheila. He liked that…a woman waiting for him.

Back in the car park he took off the hat and ran his hands through his hair, he was whistling through his teeth when he entered the bar and moved up behind her again, he knew she’d be there. “I’m glad you waited,” he pulled up the stool beside her, she was nervous did he do that to her or was it something else?

"Of course I waited." Libby hoped the smile she flashed him was interpreted as a look of interest. "Some things are worth waiting for."

Sipping her drink, she put the glass back on the bar, playing with the straw to keep her hands from shaking. "Did you have important business?"

“All my business is important,” he narrowed his eyes taking in her hands, he didn’t miss anything. “What’s your business in a place like this?”

"Business? I don't have any business." She laughed lightly. "I come in here for pleasure."

The bartender set his drink in front of him and he took a sip and smiled, “Pleasure…well this ain’t quite a pleasure palace now is it. Maybe you’re looking for a certain type of pleasure, maybe you put a price on it?”

"I'm not for sale, if that's what you're implying," Libby answered, putting a frown on her face. Then, she smoothed her features into another smile.

"Maybe we're getting off on the wrong foot here. Why don't we start over? My name's...Lisa." She didn't want to give him her real name, so she plucked her older sister's name out of the air. "What's yours?" She laid a hand lightly on his arm.

He looked down at the hand on his arm, “My name is Foster,” it was on the beer coaster and he didn’t know what she was playing at. “Why don’t we just cut to the chase, you want me to shag you is that what you want?” He looked up slowly fastening his eyes on her lips.

"Well-Foster, is it?" Libby took another sip from her glass and then fixed her eyes firmly on his. "I don't 'shag' anyone until I get to know them a little."

She made herself calm down. She wasn't going to lose this chance. Richie was depending on her. She spoke coolly. "I might want to shag you. I might not. I won't know unless we talk a little. How would you like to go sit at a table and buy me another drink?"

He locked his eyes on hers, “Now I wonder what it is you and I would have to talk about, I wonder what you’re doing in a place like this, I wonder about a lot of things especially when something looks out of place…like you.” He softened his eyes a little, “But I’ll buy you a drink honey.” He motioned for the bartender to refill her glass.

"Thank you, Foster." Libby was focused on staying calm. "What makes you think I look out of place here? I've been here before, you know."

“I’ve never seen you in here before…you’ve got class too much class for a dive like this. Well just look at ya,” he fingered her shirt, “You don’t shop in the market stalls, no…probably Barrett’s or some little boutique here in Coffs…yeah. Your handbag is not a knock off, it’s the real thing…see I notice things about people. I saw your vehicle out in the car park, saw you locking it up…nice ride not some beat up piece of shite, probably bought it new. Look around here, honey what do you see? Blokes with their paycheck in their pockets spending it before they go home to the missus. This is not the kind of place a Sheila like you usually goes to now is it?”

Ignoring his last question, Libby continued to meet his eyes. "Is that what you're doing here, Foster? Got a missus at home waiting for you? Here blowing your paycheck?"

Barth narrowed his eyes, “What I do here is none of your business, I’m having a drink.” He picked up his glass and did just that.

Taking a chance, Libby shrugged and emptied her glass. Making as though she were about to rise from her barstool, she let her skirt ride up past her thighs. "Oh, well, then- If you're not interested in talking to me, I guess I'll have to find myself another bloke with a paycheck."

Barth looked at her thigh and back at her face, “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested, in fact I’m very interested.” He was interested to know why she was coming on to him. “But if a paycheck is all you’re interested in I can call a couple of blokes over here from the pool table, they’d be happy to oblige.”

Working hard to control the urge she felt to slap him, Libby smiled again. "Now, if that was ALL I was interested in, would I want to get to know you better?"

"Relax, Foster. I'm just trying to make a little conversation with you is all."

Barth looked over at the bartender, something passed between them a slight nod toward Libby from the bartender. Barth smiled, “give the little lady another drink.” He turned back to Libby.

“All right luv, let’s converse…what do you want to talk about?”

Libby had caught the look between the two men. Uh-oh. So the guy knew she'd come in looking for him. Now, what did she do? Don't lose your cool, Libby, she told herself. Think. You've certainly had man problems before.

"I live in the Glen," she said, appearing calm. "What about you?"

“I live in Australia.” He grinned and sipped on his beer.

For a moment, Libby just looked at him, gathering her wits about her. She wasn't going to find out anything like this. Grabbing up her bag, she slid off the barstool. "Guess you're not really interested after all, Foster. Your loss." She headed for the door.

He was off the stool in a flash and caught her by the arm, “You came in here looking for me, no bullshit now…I want to know why you asked for Barth.”

She pulled her arm away. Gave him a brilliant smile. "I overheard a girl talking at the tavern in the Glen. About you." She licked her lips provocatively. "She made you sound pretty good. Said you hung out here. I'd been here before and knew about this place, so I thought I'd look you up."

Moving her eyes up and down him, she went on, "Turns out she was right about how good you look."

Barth didn’t buy it, “You’re lying girls I go with don’t talk….who sent you?”

Libby was still afraid, but she was also angry. She had a quick temper and this guy got on her nerves. Facing him defiantly, she said, "You didn't want to talk to me, so why should I talk to you?"

“I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing but I’m done.” Barth tossed some money on the bar and fixed her with a look, “I don’t want to see you in here again looking for me if I want you…I’ll find you” he’d moved up really close to her, “I’ll find you anytime I want to…in the Glen.” He smiled broadly and walked out of the door.