I inhaled deeply, gathering my composure. "Sir," I began, speaking slowly to keep the situation from escalating, "remember, after the argument with the stranger earlier, you asked me to take you to this bar.
You drank too much, and I tried to stop you, but you insisted. You made a scene, and, seeing how late it was getting, I had to book us into a hotel to avoid further embarrassment." I stopped and observed how his face changed as the information became clear.
"I had your clothing sent to the cleaning because they were so badly stained. They ought to be prepared shortly.
His phone, which I had set on the next table, started buzzing before I could elaborate.
I looked at the caller ID as I picked it up and saw the name of the woman we had gone to meet earlier.
When I gave him the ph
