Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Most of it looked good, he admitted to himself. The décor was based on warm harvest gold and autumn copper colors. Rich fabric curtains framed the windows, and although the tables were cheap, they were covered in quality, crisply laundered cloth. The lights had been dimmed so that, as the evening wore on, long, slim shadows would slide across the furniture, building a pleasant ambience. There were only six tables, plus a modest bar at the edge of the room. Glasses sparkled on the tables; thick napkins were folded artistically. The flowers were…Richie sighed again at the sight of the limp bouquets. He wondered if he should dash around each table and dead-head some of the blooms. Wondered if there’d be anything left if he did.