Chapter 38It was a Sunday evening, the most popular time for the gang to get together at the Barrel Bar. Charlie Boulet and Stuart Page were the first to arrive, and they were soon joined by Chuck Pavel, then Tubby Tucker. The bar was totally empty, aside from Tom the barman who was sitting sullenly behind the register, polishing a glass.
‘Hi, Chuck!’ Charlie called out, kissing him on both cheeks in the time-honoured French manner. ‘You’re out early for a top White House executive.’
‘Another moment in that nightmare and I swear I’d have jumped off the ramparts.’
Tubby shook his head. ‘No ramparts. I’m sure there are no ramparts on the White House.’
He got a scowl back from behind Chuck’s pebble glasses. ‘Quit quibbling, Tubby, or I’m headed straight back there.’
Charlie interrupted.
