Carl entered and sat at his accustomed booth, ordering his usual, Bloody Mary. Then waiting for what seemed like a long time, he became agitated. When the phone at the bar rang, he nearly jumped.

The overlarge bartender let it ring several times before answering. Listening for only a moment, he signaled for Carl.

Runemaker rose quickly and took the call at the end of the bar.

“This is Carl,” he said into the receiver

“Go to the head. Lock yourself in the stall and wait.”

No doubt, The same voice Carl had heard this morning, it ended abruptly when the phone went dead.

A large space, the restroom accommodated a small, comfortable, but none too clean looking couch. On a small table beside it lay an array of youth publications. Nothing overt, they may have drawn the attention of certain vigilante types. Cops and white felons with tattoos up to their necks. 

Locking himself in the lone stall, Carl expected he’d again have to wait overlong. He did not. The sound of the door opening and closing was followed closely by its locking. He could hear the soft pad of shoes on the tiled floor and then could see them from under the door. They crossed at the ankle with one toe resting on the floor, a very relaxed looking pose. Runemaker could imagine the man leaning against the lavatory with his arms crossed.

The stranger did not immediately speak, which made Carl even more anxious. If he had been tall enough to look over the door, he may not have resisted doing so.

“Are you all right, Carl?” the man asked. “I hope I haven’t frightened you too much. I just wanted to be sure I had your strict attention…. Do I have your strict attention, Carl?”

After a short pause, Carl’s answer came in a timid fashion. No way did he expect any cordiality, not after his previous conversations with this stranger.

“Yes,” he answered

“Good. So here’s the scoop.” The man continued. “This little bit of business you cooked up with Bramble has every body pretty worried.”

“They know?” Runemaker interrupted

“You’re not listening!”

“Sorry.”

“I haven’t told the partners about your involvement and I’m going to keep it that way for as long as I can, but I’m going to need your help…. Can I count on your help, Carl?”