"Not just today. She's not having me any day," Angus said. "I'm making an extra large pot. It holds about ten espresso sized cups of espresso. That ought to help." Angus saw that there were enough salads and sandwiches to invite Edward and Simone in too, so he called them in.
"Looks great, Ruby," Edward said. "We went to run some early errands, so we actually didn't get breakfast. I was getting hungry. Sometimes a simple sandwich and a salad is a terrific lunch. How are the bruises today, Lad?"
"They don't hurt like they did yesterday," Angus said. "Today, they're just ugly."
"Well, Robert might have taken some of the sting out of those when he treated those new burns of yours," Marcus told him.
"Burns?" Edward frowned.
"She went after him again last night. Burned some Creole claim of ownership right onto his chest," Marcus said.
"Where? Show me," Edward said angrily.
"Can I eat first?" Angus asked, pouring a cup of espresso.
"No. Show me now," Edward asked. Angus opened his shirt just enough to show the marks to Edward. "That hussy tried to burn those marks in right over your heart."
"Yeah, well, where she's concerned, that's as close to my heart as she's going to ever get," Angus replied, tucking into his salad.
"Tiggy is coming this afternoon and she's bringing someone with her," Marcus said.
"As long as we're making some sort of progress, its fine," Edward said.
"I think we ought to be buggaring off to New Orleans to find this hussy," Angus said.
"Let's wait until Lee and Robert finish making the arrangements," Marcus said.
"I don't need a cover. I'm the bait, remember?" Angus said.
"Yes, but Im betting she sends you with some bodyguards besides just me," Marcus replied.
"Then he'd better hurry up," Angus replied.
"Ruby, we ought to pack a couple go bags in case the bait here gets any more restless," Marcus teased.