Lexi was appalled that her smart ass, impetuous action had resulted in being sent home. Sid was an ass. She grabbed her backpack and started to leave while he was still in the back chewing ass but thought better of it. Taking the dusty old book, she shoved it in the backpack. This she would borrow until she came back to work. Maybe time off would give her the chance to still in the small alcove in her apartment, pressed up against the huge window that overlooked the Sound and just read.<br/><br/>“I’m outta here,” she yelled and slammed the door.<br/><br/>Later that evening, her cell whistled. She checked the text.<br/><br/>ANTHONY’S. MIDNIGHT. BE THERE TO DISCUSS YOUR JOB.<br/><br/>“Well, alrighty then.” She said, slamming the phone down, face side to the pillow. “Don’t bother to send me a taxi. Ask me to walk the streets of Seattle after midnight, alone. Jerk off.”<br/><br/>She knew she would be there, but Anthony’s?<br/><br/>“Kind of bougessie, aren’t we, Sid?” she muttered, but went to dig out her one pair of nice black jeans. They were nice because they didn’t have a hole in them. She pulled a clean white skin tight Tee shirt out of the closets and a black Army Surplus jacket. She sniffed them, all clean, she thought. Rummaging around in the back of the closet, she came up with an old but still good pair of combat boots which had the steel toes on the outside. That was the best she had for dressing up. She hoped Sid was paying because that was one pricey place.<br/><br/>At midnight, Lexi walked up to the door to Anthony’s. The patios with the blue umbrellas were filled with people and lights on the lower deck while the upper decks were darker. One or two people could be seen from the street but Lexi had a feeling that those were private body guard rather than diners.<br/><br/>Stepping inside, she inquired if Sid Rathman’s party had arrived. The maître de frowned and checked the waiting list. He started to shake his head when a burly man in a tuxedo just appeared by her side and grabbed her arm.,<br/><br/>“This way, Toots. Be quiet and smile.” He said as he escorted her through the crowd. “ A little underdressed aren’t you?” he observed.<br/><br/>Lexi just frowned as he punched the buttons on the elevator to the second floor. He went to grip her by the upper arm again but she jerked out of his fingers.<br/><br/>“Where’s Sid?” she demanded, looking around.<br/><br/>The escort indicated the farthest door in the back corner.<br/><br/>“Private room. Private balcony overlooking the Sound. Go on, he is expecting you. The others are here.”<br/><br/>Lexi was confused. What was going on? Sid was a cheap assed bastard and his idea of a company picnic was to procure some McDonald’s meal deals for a picnic on the boardwalk. She went, glancing over her shoulder at Lerch, standing guard by the elevator doors.<br/><br/>The room was dark, lit only by the red glow of a Tecate sign and the stained glass Stella Artois lamp that hung over a pool table. Cocktail waitresses were flitting around with little trays, the cheeks of their asses showing through the fishnet hose. Lexi shut the door behind her and searched the room for Sid. One of the girls said,<br/><br/>“Lexi? They are expecting you, out on the balcony. Can I bring you a drink?”<br/><br/>“Yeah, make it a double, Crown and Coke. Heavy on the Crown.”