Parking the Zephyr in the garage across the street from Ricks, Marcus sat in the hover car….thinking. It had been a very long day starting with a quick trip back from Governors Station. Then a train ride down to Vorta Rome to see T’Ros, who had made herself unavailable. He was determined to know why she had sent two goons to Oz and was not going to beat around the bush about it.
But he left empty handed and stopped in Wells City for just an hour or so to see if he could pick up any leads on the mysterious Dorothy Gale. That had ended in a dead end as well. In frustration he got out of the car and made his way back to the street. Looking up at the Roddenberry Tower he thought of calling it day and just going home, but he had promised to meet Veronica at the club. Maybe she could save the day from being a total loss.
Dashing across the street he pushed open the heavy brass doors of Ricks and took the steps down off the balcony two at a time. Xon was walking across the lounge, absorbed in a data pad when he looked up.
“Boss! Finally.”
Marcus took a seat at the bar. “Two fingers Xon, neat and clean.”
Xon smiled and poured him his favorite Andorian whiskey,
‘I don’t see how you drink that stuff without Ice.”
“Penance…. For all my sins.” Marcus replied tossing back the burning liquid.
“All your sins? Then you’ll need another.” Xon joked refilling the shot glass.
Reaching under the bar Xon retrieved a small package. “This came for you this afternoon.” he said placing it in front of his employer.
“What’s that?”
“Scanners confirm nothing deadly. Open it.”
“Who’s if from?”
“Delivery man had a Dexter lapel pin. That give you a clue?”
Marcus opened he bag and took out a small gift wrapped package.
“Look, bows and everything.” Xon said.
Marcus gave him a smart look and unwrapped the package to reveal a small book.
“Well I’ll be.” Marcus smiled.
“What is it?”
“A reproduction of the play “Everyone goes to Ricks.”
“A play?”
“Yea, Earth 1930’s…… It was the play the movie Casablanca was based on.”
“A movie?…oh a video of some kind.” Xon said confused.
“Of some kind…..yea. You should watch it some time. Seeing as the bar is named after the main character.”
“You are some sentimental old fool after all…”
“Old Fool?…Some days more than others.”
***
After taking a nap he awoke around 7 and watched the evening crowd start to fill the Bar. By 8 he was starting to get worried. By 9 he was sure something was wrong as Veronica had not called or arrived. He rang up the estate and Gerard the butler answered the video call.
“She has not arrived Sir.” he answered Marcus question. “She left two hours ago.”
Now Marcus knew for sure there was trouble.
“Call Mr. Anderson at Dexter, tell him to start looking.”
“Should we alert the authorities Sir.”
“No reflection on Captain Leo, but lets hold off on that for just a bit.”
“As you wish Sir.” and the channel closed.
Marcus stood up from his desk rubbing his forehead. Now he was truly worried. Just then the chime rang on his intercom.
“Yes Xon.”
“Boss, you got company. Their asking for you right away.”
Turning on the surveillance camera over the main bar Marcus could see two Romulan men in civilian clothing shuffling their feet, looking over the crowd and very out of place.
“Romulan… no surprise there.” Marcus muttered.
“I’m on my way.”
Checking the knife in his boot and the phaser in his waist pocket he headed for the door.
***
“Gentlemen. Shall we take a table?” Marcus asked as he approached the pair.
They nodded without speaking and followed Marcus to a quite corner of the room.
As they sat Marcus sized them up. “Am I to assume T’Ros has a message for me?”
The older of the two leaned into the table and spoke softly in Romulan.
“There is an office at this address.” he said sliding a piece of paper across the table.
“And”
“The gentleman that works in that office is not to see the morning.”
“And if he does?”
“Then I’m afraid your Ms. Harringer will not.”
“You’re kidding…..right?”
“I assure you Mr. Dinn, this is not a joke. My employer wished to me to convey the following, “I tried to steer you gently my love, but now the leash has to be pulled taunt.”
The Romulans stood and started to walk away.
“Are you expected to take a reply back?”
The older Romulan turned and bowed. “No reply is expected Mr. Dinn. Only results.”
After they had left up the stairs Xon came over. “What was that about?”
“Someone thinks they own me.”
“Someone is in for a surprise.” Xon replied returning to the bar.
“Indeed.”
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of Ricks and Oz
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
