As You Were

2. Perfect Time to Change

The bar had already been open for hours when he came in, standing in the doorway and observing. No one paid him any attention—it wasn't special for people to come in and out as such. Though he did not find what he was looking for he continued to watch—perhaps searching for anyone to act suspicious, perhaps trying to identify someone who knew who he was and thusly knew who he was looking for. After he stood there for a few more minutes he strolled farther inside casually, down the steps and over to the bar where he pulled out a stool and sat on it, waiting patiently until he was noticed by the barkeeper.

"I'm looking for the owner of the establishment." He told her in almost a whisper while he removed his hat and sat it next to him on the counter.

"You found her," Dahlia grabbed a glass and flipped it right side up, "what can I get you?"

"My name is Edward Conley, I'm a detective. I wonder if you might have a minute to answer a few questions." Detective Conley reached into his pocket as Dahlia scoffed under her breath, taking back the glass and returning it from where it came.

"A cop, huh? We get a lot of your kind around here. Sorry, but whatever you're looking for, I can't help you."

"I respectfully disagree. Would you take a look at this photo, I have reason to believe this man stopped in here a few nights ago." Conley gave her the photograph of me, and Dahlia looked it over for a good time, just to make it clear to him that she wasn't brushing it off right away without putting in any effort.

"Nope, can't say that I've seen him." She turned away and grabbed a rag, wiping down the counter when she returned to him.

"Are you sure? I spoke with a Mr. Bernard Putnam who swears that you referred this gentleman to his fine motel."

"No offense, but old Bernie isn't too reliable. He did too much heroin in the nineties. Hasn't been right since." Dahlia shrugged and looked Conley straight on, undaunted by him or his badge. They held the embrace for a long while as the silence took root around them, until finally Conley smiled and chuckled a little, amused by her bravado.

"You know I really do admire what you've managed to accomplish here. A young woman such as yourself, thirty two, thirty three; so young and here you are the owner of your very own bar. Bravo. But I'm sure you didn't just get here by chance, no, this type of feat requires resilience, ambition. You must be a very intelligent girl indeed. So I'm sure that you know lying to me would be a criminal offense, punishable under the law." He smiled almost innocently.

"I wouldn't dream of it. I said I haven't seen him and that means I haven't seen him. Look around you, this is a bar. People come in from all over, they ask directions, what's on the menu. Some stay to chat, some stay to drink. All I know is that they come and then they go. Maybe this guy came in, maybe he didn't, I wouldn't be able to pull his face out of the crowd if I were to see him again. Sorry I can't be of more help to you." Dahlia threw her hands up and shrugged.

"That's fair. Maybe it was wrong of me to be so presumptuous." Conley looked around the room again, this time setting his sights higher, "but in a city so full of crime surely you have a security camera?"

"That I do." She pointed to the corner by the door where the black bulb hung inconspicuously from the ceiling.

"Good, good. Would you mind terribly if I took a look at the footage?"

"Sorry, camera's been busted for a few weeks now. Bar fight got out of hand, crazy kids from upstate. I've been meaning to have my guy come take a look at it, see what he can do. Guess I should get on that."