Safe and Secure, Part 2

Ben Wade and Frank Parker

"You're lookin' good, Ben," said the tall, handsome black man, as he took the seat opposite Wade. "How long's it been now? Ten-twelve years?"

"Somethin' like that," Wade told him with a grin. "Do you ever stop smilin', Frank?"

"Never," Frank Parker told him with a grin of his own. "Somebody might get the impression I was unhappy or something. Wouldn't want that."

"You drinkin' your usual?" Ben questioned him, motioning for the waitress again.

"The best brandy in the house. Like always," Parker said easily.

Their drinks in hand, they settled down to business. "This was out of the blue." Parker looked at Wade. "You lookin' to pull a job?"

"No." Wade's grin hadn't faded. "I'm lookin' for somebody in your new specialty. Security."

"Whatever you got, consider it secure," Parker told him.

Ben took a photo of Liana out of his wallet and slid it across the table. Frank Parker picked it up and looked at it. "Pretty woman," he said. "You movin' into kidnappin', Wade? You want to take her?"

Ben chuckled quietly. "If I did, I'd be the one payin' the ransom. She's my wife, Frank."

"You're kiddin', man!" Parker looked at the picture again. "You got married? To somebody looks like her? Damn, Wade! You done lost your senses?"

"You might say that," Ben told him. "What say we catch our plane back to Coff's Harbour and I'll tell you all about things on the way?" He motioned for the check.

"This is one story I am really lookin' forward to hearin'." Parker grinned, as they headed for the door.