“Maestro, how the hell have you been?” he asked, and quickly assessed the situation. “Right, what’s going on here? Maestro, you need a hand?”
“Just what I was asking my good friend Griffen here,” Maestro said.
Waters looked from the men to the dogs to Griffen. Flynn chuckled slightly. Griffen had noticed that he had watched him the entire time. There seemed to be another gleam of admiration in his eyes, but also something more . . . calculating.
“What did I say about the wrong kind of notoriety?” Flynn said.
“Fuck you, Flynn,” said Waters.
Everyone watched as the large man left the bar, stopping to glare at Maestro as he stepped to the side. Maestro only smiled slightly, and asked, “Did you use to play sports?”
That did it. He was gone, and Griffen really wanted to know how Maestro knew the perfect thing to say. Flynn laughed, loud. Griffen turned a speculative eye to the other dragon, and he shrugged.
“Some guys just aren’t worth fifteen percent. I’m half-tempted to try and get him a TV hosting gig on Antarctic Public Broadcasting. But I hate to waste a favor.”
“You really can pull that kind of strings?”
Maestro looked at the two of them and walked over to chat with the bartender. Griffen signaled over his head, buying the man a drink, then sat back down with Flynn.
“Inside my bailiwick. I don’t pay much attention outside of the entertainment business, of course, but that’s enough for one dragon.”
“So,” Griffen said, suddenly suspicious, “what are you doing in town?”
“Ha! Sharp question. I could, of course, have sent some paper-pusher to ride herd on the boy wonder. But I’m about to start preproduction on a major picture down here, so I’m checking out the location. Multitasking, you know?”
“Okay, and what is your interest in me?” Griffen asked.
“Who says I have an interest? I do very thorough research before I come to a new location. Research besides shooting locations and local talent agencies.”
“So you knew me because you looked into the local dragons?” Griffen said skeptically.
“Oh, hell, you are quick. I rarely come on location even when I’m the one trying to put things together from scratch. Don’t have to anymore. But New Orleans with Halloween coming up, a young dragon who’s making the most interesting ripples? Curiosity compelled, I came and poked my nose in.”
Distrust made Griffen pause and think those comments over carefully. He didn’t like being under the microscope, but Flynn’s honesty was refreshing. He just couldn’t seem to help liking the man.
“You seem more startled than expected. Look, I’m sorry about the idiot, but I can’t be responsible for every stupid thing he thinks up. Surely this can’t be the first time a dragon surprised you with a face-to-face?” Flynn asked.
“True, but that doesn’t help me feel at ease. The last was Stoner.”
“Ah, well, damn. Doesn’t that just take the wind out of my sails? Tell you what. Going to be around for another month at least now that I’m immersed in this damn deal. We’ll probably run into each other. If you need anything, though, here’s my card.”
He pulled out a small, embossed business card and slipped it over to Griffen and looked him over again closely. Griffen sensed that he wanted to say more, but Flynn just shook his head and stood up.
“No pressure now. There really is no need.” Flynn nodded to Griffen and headed out the door.
Outside, once beyond sight of the bar, Flynn smiled to himself. An honest smile, the kind that brings to mind cats and canaries.
“Just the right mix of truth and lies,” he said to himself, and strolled down toward Bourbon.
Valerie sat in her apartment, staring into a mirror. It wasn’t something she did often. Vanity wasn’t one of her main drives. In fact, the only mirror in the place was in the tiny bathroom. She shifted uncomfortably, leaned on the edge of the sink, and stared into her own eyes.
A soft knock at her door was still loud enough to startle her out of her reverie. Val bent at the sink and splashed a little water in her face. Another quick glance in the mirror showed her face calm, if a little too serious. Nodding to herself, she went to the front door and opened it.
“May I come in?” Mai asked.
The smaller woman poked her head into Val’s apartment, looking around. Val shrugged a bit, unsure what she was looking for. Griffen had never mentioned Mai to Val while they were in college, but since meeting in New Orleans, she and Mai were fast becoming friends.
In fact, Mai had seemed to go out of her way to befriend Valerie, to open up with her more than she seemed to with Griffen. It had given Valerie something she didn’t really realize she was missing: a girlfriend, someone she could let her hair down with and trade dirty jokes and warm comfort. Val had come to appreciate Mai’s perspective and knowledge. Even with that, she had to admit she still didn’t really understand Mai.
“Sure thing,” Val said.
Val opened the door and waved Mai inside. After she closed the door, she noticed Mai still looking around. Well, if you don’t know, ask.
