All the lads decided this was a good idea, but we girls preferred to stay put (the stripper was female otherwise we would certainly have gone with the...).Off they went, and we carried on drinking and chatting.The pub was busy but not crowded, and I noticed one of our neighbours, Uncle Ben, at the bar. He is not really my uncle, but he is known as Uncle Ben by one and all in our street.Being sociable, I called to him and waved a hello. He saw me and grinned, and raised his glass in greeting, but. Thump, whack, you could hear the connection between Shaun’s right hand and Graham’s chin, followed by the noise of Graham hitting the floor. Guests looked even more shocked, a couple of them helped Graham back to his feet then helped him outside for fresh air.Jim and I tried to settle things down and let guests know some of what had happened. The manager came out, he was older than us maybe around 50 and stood around 5ft 10”, he had mostly gone grey and had a receding hairline. He looked the. You couldn’t have known—”“You did.” Nate sighed. “I’ll bet you all did. And I’ve just ruined any hope of pinning this on Esmerelle.”“He wouldn’t have talked.” The Antivan seemed completely confident in his assessment. “I know the type. Anyone willing to poison themselves to avoid capture wouldn’t break. I doubt even his name was real.”“We’ll never know now, will we?” He sighed. “Anyway, thank you again for your help. All of you. I’m not dead – and there probably won’t be time for another. ” I said. “Seriously, though? She didn’t come off as the bashful type.”“Not as a technician. But on a personal level...”“I’m glad for you both,” I said.“Thank you.”Let’s see. Dan 3.0’s out, Nina with him, looking at upgrades to the protection of a forty year old substation in southeast Texas. It’s an easy drive, they’ll be back this evening. I think Sandy’s got a date anyway. Matt’s days off don’t coincide with weekends very often, so when he has an evening free, Sandy jumps. Or doesn’t jump,.