30“Molly!” called Nico as she came through the open door.
The usual crowd was there: Lawrence, dressed impeccably, perched on his stool, Negroni in place. Frances sat next to him with a pile of napkins on the bar in front of her, Lapin on her other side with a beer.
“Bonsoir à tous!” she said, trying to sound jolly. The brisk walk had dissipated some of the creepy feeling but she was still a little rattled. “Looks like a full house tonight. What’s the occasion?”
“Don’t know of any,” said Nico.
“Every table in the back room is filled,” said Lawrence. “Here, take my stool. I’d say let’s move to a table but there aren’t any left.”
“I would never steal your throne,” said Molly, grinning. “Nico?”
“On it,” said Nico, picking up the bottle of crème de cassis for Molly’s kir.
She looked aro
