Fusion #4

I was heading into work and stopped in at my usual coffee joint for some Joe. I stood at the counter and motioned at the girl serving.

Hit me with a double, baby.

She nodded, I had never seen her here before but she looked like a girl that knew how a man like me worked on the inside.

In no time at all, she had banged me out a double espresso and slid it along the bar to me. I eyed her appraisingly. She had ratty blonde hair and arms covered in tattoos. She looked muscly too. Like an Alsatian.

I did my best to stifle the appreciative growl in my throat.

I thought about the case. The mysterious Fusion and the link to the Alien incursion that I had discovered. It was with a jarring surprise I realised I didn't know much about the Fusion part, so focused had I been on the Aliens.

I got up to go, the tattooed girl behind the bar spoke.

Just a quick in and out was it?

I paused in the middle of putting on my Fedora.

Well, come to think of it. I can always take a little bit more. Hit me, baby, one more time.

She laughed and moved to the coffee machine. Her arms looked as if they had black rats running around under the skin as she worked the machine. I put my hat on my lap to hide the monstrous erection trying to battle its way out of my trousers.

She slid my double over to me. I pulled out a twenty and passed it over.

Have one on me sweetcheeks.

She laughed again, it sounded like stones rolling down a stream.

I pulled out another twenty and waved it handsomely at her slightly pierced face.

You fancy making a little something on the side baby?

She scowled suspiciously.

Whatcha mean?

I'm looking for someone...

I said urbanely. I knew that The Clivvers was fond of a coffee, perhaps he had left a clue here or even passed by?

The rat-armed chick narrowed her eyes at me.

Fuck sake, you never heard of Tinder?

A man.

She sighed dramatically.

Grindr then.

I set my mouth in a flat line.

I am not looking for someone to do the hokey pokey with. I am looking for information?

Ahhh.

She nodded.

I getcha. Gives it.

She reached over and snatched the twenty out of my hand.

Go on then my handsome sugar daddy. Who are you looking for?

I am looking for a man who goes by the name The Clivvers. Quite tall, grey looking and thin. He used to work there...

I motioned my head to the building across the road.

The girl sniffed and scratched the side of her head as if she wanted to have nasty filthy sex with me.

Sorry, no idea. We get loads of people coming in here.

Dammit.

He vapes like mad. It's a weird smelling one too, Parma Violets?

The girl's eyes snapped wide open. The ropy muscles on her neck tightening.

What, you mean him?

She tilted her head beyond my shoulder.

I made to turn but a hand clamped tight down next to my neck and that unmistakable cadaver-like voice of The Clivvers whispered in my ear.

Hello. Is it me you're looking for?