Triple Cap

They entered the hole-in-the-wall bar with little expectations. They were not pleasantly surprised. Grace was scared. Rikki had a huge adrenaline rush and immediately looked for her target. She located him sitting at a table close to the one-couple-at-a-time dance floor. On their way to belly-up to the bar, an old drunken woman grabbed them. “You girls are so beautiful. You could have your pick of the place.” She swung her arm around wide as if she were Vanna White showing off a brand new car. Then she smiled exposing one missing tooth, the rest were a dingy brown color. Rikki and Grace slowly scanned the room in disbelief such an offer had been made to them. Neither said a word. Definitely a rough crowd. “There’s no one in here I want.” Grace finally whispered to Rikki leaning into her shoulder, with her hand over her mouth. Rikki thought she spotted a tear in her eye. Rikki let loose a hearty laugh, throwing her head back. Heads turned, and looked the two outsiders up and down. “We’ve got everyone’s attention now. Smile and be friendly. We need to put out an approachable vibe. Besides, I don’t want to shoot anyone tonight.” Rikki said to Grace behind her pearly whites. “There’s nothin’ funnier than real life!” She had a way of seeing the funny side of things, whereas, Grace saw the scarier side of things. “Are you packin’?” “Did you really just ask me that?” Rikki sneered. “Boot?” Grace asked. “Yup. One in each boot and a knife. Feel better?” “As a matter of fact…I do.” “Two Bud Lights,” Rikki yelled at the bartender. “Apparently it’s karaoke night.” She snarled at Grace. “I’m gonna stick to you like panties on your ass!” Grace hollered above the off-pitch karaoke singer. “Relax. Have a good time.” Grace guzzled her beer in an effort to relax. Rikki merely sipped hers, in an effort to stay sober, but appear to be drinking in abundance. “Would you like to dance?” A voice came from behind Rikki and Grace. “Yes I would.” Rikki answered without looking to see who asked. She wanted to get closer to her target. Grace grabbed Rikki’s arm pulling her close. “Don’t leave me alone.” Her blue eyes were intense, on the verge of tears. “You won’t be alone for long.” “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Rikki pranced off to the dance floor. She made eye contact with her target and smiled. His eyebrows raised and he returned a smile. Damn that guy is huge. Six foot seven inches and two hundred and ninety pounds. Wanted for child molestation, child abuse, drug possession, illegal possession of a firearm and assault and battery on a police officer. Rikki quickly reviewed his file from memory as she danced like no one was watching. “Thank you so much for the dance it was fun.” She said to her dance partner as they returned to the bar and to Grace who was shaking in her boots and not trying to hide it. “I’m gonna dedicate my next song to you two. What’s your name?” “I’m Daisy.” Grace said anticipating Rikki’s answer. “You can call me Duke.” Rikki smiled. Grace’s jaw dropped. The karaoke king headed to the stage. “What the hell is Duke?” “Not sure…that’s just what fell out. Daisy and Duke.” Rikki laughed. “That’s soooo obviously not your name, retard.” “This song goes out to the pretty ladies at the bar, Duke and Daisy.” “What’s funnier is he don’t even get it.” Grace laughed at the dedication over the microphone. “Momma never told me ‘bout nothin’ like Y-O-U…” he sang, “I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E.” “Of all the songs in the world why that one?” Rikki giggled. “I’m gonna go ask bad ass to dance.” “Are you serious?” “I’ll be able to pat him down on the dance floor to see if he’s packin’. Then I’ll go out and get my cuffs and stuff. Let’s make this happen…so we can get out of here.” Rikki figured out her plan of attack. On the dance floor she wrapped her arms around her target and rubbed his back. She dragged her hands under his arms and up and down his sides then around to his chest. I can’t wait to kick your ass, she smiled and looked him in the eyes. He thought he was being seduced and loved every minute of the attention. Gawd, this song is three days long. Rikki was ready to get down to business. I gotta keep him away from his buddies keep him by himself. “I’ll buy ya a beer.” Rikki offered her target. “How about I buy you one.” “You are such a gentleman.” She wanted to puke. Grace went pale as she watched the two of them walking toward her. The look on Rikki’s face put a knot in her stomach. Oh gawd it’s time. She threw back a half a bottle of beer, but it didn’t stop her hands from shaking. “What do you want to drink?” He asked. “Bud Light. Hey I’m gonna run out to my truck…I think I left my other pack of cigarettes out there.” Rikki made up an excuse to go to the truck and get her handcuffs and 9mm Lady Smith. “I’ll go with you.” Grace reeked of fear. Rikki gently shook her head no and looked Grace dead in the eyes. She expected Grace to read her mind, and she did. “Never mind I’ll stay here and drink your beer.” Rikki returned from the truck in two minutes. “See you lived,” she said in Grace’s ear. “Bite me,” Grace’s heart was in her throat pounding above the karaoke singer. She guzzled more beer. Rikki smoked a cigarette, flirted and made small talk with her target. She snubbed out the butt. “We really need to be going. Will you walk us out?” “You bet.” He walked with his chest out behind Rikki. Proud to be surrounded by the two outsiders—he wanted everyone to see him walking out with the two girls. Grace was the first one out the door and in the truck. She grabbed the cell phone and dialed 911 with her finger ready to push send.