After the funeral and reception, Red and Dembe were called away to finalize the details of Anne’s estate.
Liz headed down to the corner bistro, her bulky guard regaling her with anecdotes from his time spent in the Orient. One such tale involved a Geisha girl and a disgruntled Marine and platoon of MP’s from a nearby Army base.
“A platoon?” Liz had to question that part, her expression amused.
“All right, so it wasn’t a platoon.” Silas granted. “More like a division.”
The revelry was interrupted by a somber enquiry.
“Are you allowed to talk to me?”
Liz looked around, finding Francis coming up on their rear, his expression a prudent one.
“Why would you even ask such a thing?” she frowned having entered the café.
She directed the young man to a nearby table.
“I’ve been shunned.” th
