Pacific Station Vigilante (Book 1): The Negative Man (City of Chaos) by Jeremy Croston

was in, my excitement level wasn’t all that high.  “At least keep your phones with you at all times in case I need to get in contact.”
    “Don’t worry Jericho, I won’t let anything happen to those closest to me.”  He looked at both me and then over at PJ.
    I tried to smile, but the full gravity of the situation started to sink in with me.  In just a few short hours I’d be in an uncontrolled setting with a madman, a murder.  I needed to get home and calm myself or it might be me who ruins the plan.  I couldn’t afford any lapse with Clubs, especially considering the secrets I had to keep.

Chapter 10 –
Saturday Night; Pier District
     
    I walked into the Pier District, privately thankful that there were lots of people out tonight.  It seemed the shock and fear from the bank robbery was beginning to pass and the citizens of the city were trying to get back into normal routines.  I saw Pierside over in the corner of the district and made my way over.
    Heather had offered to come with me, but I didn’t want her involved in this.  I politely told her I wasn’t very trusting of Jenkins and that if things got hairy, I’d text her to come diffuse the situation.  I knew she was going out with some friends, but I knew if I did text her, she’d be here.  Something told me she had a very curious side hidden beneath those long legs.
    As I entered the dimly lit bar, I heard a voice, “Jericho, glad to see you made it!”
    Phil Jenkins was here, with a beer in hand, looking rather relaxed.  I walked over to where he was sitting and the bartender immediately put a beer down on the top.  I picked it up and we clanked bottles.  “This isn’t R&D is it Phil?”
    “I prefer Pierside to being holed up in the lab all day, trust me.  I know we’re on the cutting edge in terms of tech and all, but give me a beer and a lot of good looking women any day of the week.”
    There were lots of good looking women here, that’s for sure.  Jenkins was leering at a girl in a short skirt over by the pool table.  Each time she leaned over to play her shot, she gave most of the bar a free show.  “Can’t say I disagree with you Phil.  Though we got a few hotties at Wonder-Tech.”
    “You mean Adams right?  Word around the office is you two are getting a little hot and heavy…”
    “Phil, I’m not the guy to kiss and tell, but if I was, I’d tell you it was damn good.”  Again, we clinked our bottles.  “Any other rumors that’re good?”
    He stared off, his eyes intensely focused.  “I don’t know how much I should tell you Jericho.  No offense,” he put his hand on my shoulder, “but you are John’s minion.”
    That stung a bit.  I never thought of myself as DL’s minion, but perception is reality.  “I just try to keep my nose down and keep getting my paycheck.  That cheap ass barely pays me enough to cover my rent over in Alameda.”
    Jenkins grimaced at that.  “I’m sorry man.  Not that Alameda is a shit hole, but good lord, he should really pay you better than that.”
    “My mom would be so proud to see my expensive Master’s degree being put to such good use.”  I laughed at my own little joke.  My mom, Miranda, was a very smart lady.
    “Don’t think that Wonder-Tech is the end all, be all, of tech jobs.  You never know what’s right around the corner.”
    That was the line I was waiting for.  “Where else can guys like us go?  gl-O-bal?  Everyone knows Owen Walker only hires from within.  I couldn’t afford to take an unpaid internship after graduating.”
    He shook his head.  “That’s what they want you to think.  Honestly, I think Wonderton himself started that spin.  While it’s true gl-O-bal has a strong internship pool, Walker’s always on the lookout for top talent.”
    I leaned in close and lowered my voice.  “You’re talking like you know this from experience…”
    “That’s why I’m meeting with you today.  I know Owen and your talents