The Greatest Gift by Michael John Sullivan Read Free Book Online

Can we agree on that?”
    Connie hesitated and took a few steps toward the front door. She stopped and walked back to the table and sat down.
    “Another glass? It’s on me,” Susan said. “Let’s work on that list.”
    “We’ll have to walk home if we do.”
    “So we’ll walk off the calories.”
    The waitress came by with two glasses. “Compliments of the gentleman over there.” The waitress pointed to a table beside the Christmas tree. The man in the familiar dark suit sat alone and raised a glass to them.
    “Oh my,” Connie said.
    “Oh no,” added Susan. “Now what?”
    Hewitt Paul walked over, carrying his glass. “Hello, ladies. Mind if I join you?”
    Connie and Susan didn’t answer.
    “I’ll take that as a yes. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

Chapter 9

    Hewitt Paul sat straight up, his broad shoulders towering above Connie and Susan. His arms were folded. He smiled as Connie and Susan played with their cell phones and drank their wine. “Sally, another one for my friends,” he said, gesturing to the waitress passing by. “She’s such a fine waitress, isn’t she?” he asked.
    Connie and Susan shrugged.
    “Sally. You know her, don’t you?”
    “Sorry, don’t know her,” Susan said. “Do you, Connie?”
    “Nope.”
    Sally placed a glass of wine in front of each woman.
    “Put that on my tab,” Hewitt said with a wink.
    “Will do, cowboy,” said Sally.
    Hewitt tapped the table, startling the women. “So ladies, what brings you out here tonight?”
    “We’re secret lovers and decided to come out in public to show our affection for each other,” said Connie before she took a sip.
    Susan laughed. “You wish, sister.”
    Hewitt grabbed a few pretzels from the untouched basket sitting on the table. He offered the snack to them.
    “I’m on a diet, cowboy ,” Connie said, rolling her eyes.
    “I hope you’re not driving tonight,” Hewitt said.
    “No. We aren’t. We’re walking,” said Susan.
    “Is that against the law, cowboy ?” Connie asked.
    “I’m glad to hear you aren’t on the road tonight. I’d hate to write you up with a DUI.”
    “Isn’t that a cop’s job?” Connie asked.
    “It is. But I like to help out. Don’t you like to help out in your community?”
    “Depends on what it is,” Connie said as Susan continued to sip her wine.
    The lights dimmed inside the bar as the hour passed midnight. The room was still buzzing from chatter as late-night shoppers stopped by for the evening revelry. Susan’s vision was fuzzy. I hope Connie keeps her mouth shut about the pastor. We have to get out of here.
    They made small chitchat about the weather. As both finished their drinks, Connie motioned to Susan to join her in the bathroom. “Excuse me, Hewitt , ” said Susan. “Need to powder my nose.”
    “Take your time,” he said. “I just have a few questions about your relationship with Michael.”
    She waved her hands in the air. “There was no relationship.”
    “Not what I heard.”
    “Susan,” Connie called from the far side of the room. “Are you coming?”
    Hewitt stood as Susan stumbled into a chair. “Oops.”
    “Do you need help?” Hewitt asked.
    Susan put up her hand and waved him off.
    Once inside the restroom, Connie shut the door. “All right, what’s his angle?”
    “Angle?”
    “You think he’s looking to take one of us home?”
    “What?”
    Connie pushed hard against the door to prevent anyone from entering. “It’s how these guys do their work. Ply the woman with liquor, take her to bed and extract info from them. Don’t you go to the movies?”
    Susan moved past her and went into a stall. “Um, no. I think you’ve seen too many movies.”
    Connie paced back and forth for several minutes. “Are you done, yet?” she asked.
    “Cool your jets. I drank a lot.”
    They both heard a thump as something struck the door. Then there was a rapping sound. “Hey, are you ladies in there?” Hewitt asked.
    “Yes. Go away. Give us