She walked away, and he stood to head to the bathroom. Finished, he was humming some ridiculous country song that was playing as he washed his hands. When he tried to leave the bathroom, two men pushed through the door.
“Fuck me, those dudes are huge!” said one of the men.
“I know. Maybe they play ball?”
“I don’t think so. They were showing some dude’s photo to everyone.”
That got Archie’s attention. He ducked his head and proceeded to wash his hands again. Listening to every word the men said, he finally dried his hands and slowly opened the door.
“All I know is that I wouldn’t want to be the bastard they’re chasing,” laughed one of the men.
Archie stepped into the small hallway of the bathrooms and peeked around the corner. A dozen men were speaking to his waitress, who was waving the bill in the air. Whoever they were, he knew they were after him.
“Sorry, honey. I’ll tip you good next time.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Passing multiple restaurants on the list, each time, the men would enter, walk around, and then ask if anyone had seen Archie. Each time, it was a resounding ‘no.’
“He has to be in one of these places,” said Jonas.
“Well, there’s one more up ahead, and it’s packed, so maybe he went in there,” said Carl.
He opened the door, and the smell of grilled meat hit his stomach. Wishing he had time to order one of everything on the menu, they walked around the bar and restaurant, only to end up back at the high-tops near the bar.
“Can I help you, boys?” asked a waitress.
“We’re looking for a friend of ours that we think might not be taking his medication,” said Jonas, holding up the picture.
“Oh, yeah. He was just here. I thought he went to the bathroom, but I think he stiffed me on the check,” she frowned.
“You’re sure this was him?” asked Rett.
“Honey, I’m sure. He was wearing brand-new boots, ridiculous designer jeans, and a polo shirt with a black suit coat. He was about as out of place as a vegetarian.” She watched as three of the men headed to the bathrooms, holding up the photo for a few men inside to see.
“He was just in here,” said one of the men to Sebastian. “I thought he left to go back to his table.”
“Is there a backdoor?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. You’d need to ask the staff. They usually keep those doors locked because of folks skipping out on their checks.”
The men walked back to the waitress, asking the same question.
“He’s right. The doors at the back would sound an alarm if he tried to go out them. This place is so packed right now, he might have went through the restaurant and left.”
“Tanner? You read me?” asked Jonas.
“Loud and clear, and yes, I have the cameras in the restaurant, and I’m searching for him. It’s damn busy in there. Got him. Seven minutes ago, he left the men’s room, walking through the restaurant and out the front door just as you guys were getting to his table. Looks like he went right and down the street. Let me see if I can get into the street cameras.”
“You boys gonna want anything to eat?” she asked.
“I wish,” said Ham. “I’m starving, but we have to find our friend.” The waitress nodded, clearing the table as the men spoke to one another. Then she tapped Ham on the shoulder again.
“Does this mean anything to you?” It was a napkin and written clearly on the back of it was something that sent chills up their spines.
New Orleans
“Unfortunately, it does,” said Ham. He dropped two hundred-dollar bills on the table so that the waitress wouldn’t have to cover the check. She smiled up at him, nodding her thanks. “Let’s go.”
