Out of Time 01 - Out of Time

he could make it a duty owed to him and not to her, he’d swallow his pride gladly. It was undoubtedly a deal with the devil, but better him than Elizabeth. If there were even a vestige of honor in King, surely he’d accept the debt as Simon’s alone.
    Once he was sure Elizabeth was well occupied with other customers, Simon made his way to King’s table. “I’d like to speak with you about last night,” Simon said struggling to keep his voice even.
    Pulling his attention away from Elizabeth, King arched an eyebrow in mildly amused interest and gestured for Simon to take the empty chair.
    The arrogance of the man was infuriating, but Simon stilled the barbs that stood at the ready on his tongue. He ignored the offered chair and enjoyed the feeling of looking down on King. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”
    King lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. “No, we haven’t.”
    “But it seems you know my wife.”
    King’s lips curled in a self-satisfied grin. “Yes,” he said, as his eyes unerringly sought her out in the crowded room.
    “My wife,” Simon said sharply and with unmistakable emphasis, “tells me I owe you a debt.”
    Simon clenched his jaw as King watched Elizabeth. Everything about the man was an affront. Even the most casual glance at her was prurient.
    King looked back across at Simon. “It was my pleasure. Elizabeth is an exceptional woman.”
    Simon’s voice dripped with venom as he said, “More than you’ll ever know.”
    King gave a short laugh, and Simon kept himself from taking a small step forward. How he hated this man. He almost wished King were a vampire so he could drive a stake through his cold heart.
    King smiled casually, unruffled by the hatred Simon knew was clear in his eyes. They understood each other all too well.
    “I’m in your debt,” Simon said, with a final incline of his head. At least for now, King’s focus was on him and not Elizabeth.
    Simon walked away from King and took his place back at the piano. A sense of satisfaction coursing through his veins. He’d never been proprietary before and was pleasantly surprised at the feeling.
    King soon turned his attention back to Elizabeth, and Simon wondered if his coup hadn’t been more of colossal blunder. The gangster invited her to sit with him. Even though he knew she couldn’t really refuse the request, Simon felt a flare of jealousy and anxiety as she took the chair.
    He tossed the sheet music aside and moved to interfere when he saw Elizabeth shake her head and give him a worried glance. Simon paused, then started toward the table when Charlie grabbed his arm.
    “Don’t go makin’ a scene now, Professor,” Charlie warned as he deftly slipped between Simon and King’s table. “‘Sides, I could use a hand in the back.”
    Simon let Charlie guide him past the table, but it took all of his control not to wipe the grin off King’s face with his fist. In the back room, they moved a series of crates digging out some Panther whiskey. The physical labor did little to quell the anxiety Simon felt, but thankfully, King was gone when they returned. Simon instinctively sought out Elizabeth.
    She was setting up cups on her tray when Simon noticed her hands were shaking. A teacup clattered out of her grip and the liquor spilled.
    “I’m sorry,” she said and took the rag Dix offered.
    “No problem, kid,” Dix said. “But ya better wipe it up before it eats through the bar.”
    Elizabeth laughed nervously and dabbed at the spill.
    Simon came up behind her. “Are you all right?”
    She jumped and nearly knocked another cup over.
    “Elizabeth?”
    “I’m fine,” she said, but wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Just clumsy.”
    She handed the rag back to Dix, gathered her tray and gave Simon a forced smile.
    He touched her arm gently and she looked at him with an odd expression. Whatever it was that crossed her face faded, and she gave him a genuine smile. “I’m okay. Really.”
    He let her go and watched as she served a table. He knew she was lying; she was far from all right. As the evening wore on, Simon kept a close eye on her. Slowly, her body language eased, and she engaged the customers with her usual charm. The strange way she’d looked at him earlier kept tugging at his mind. He wasn’t sure if it was only his dour nature or there really was something looming on the horizon. But as work ended that night, he had the feeling that their journey had taken a sharp left