You Do What You Have To - 37

 

 

"Mr. Palmer?"

 

It took Micky a second to realize the man was talking to him. Then he nodded. "You must be Robin's friend, Mr. Irving."

 

"I am. But you can call me John."

 

Micky almost spit out the beer he'd just drunk. "John it is. I'm Mike."

 

"Nice to meet you. Why don't we find a quiet place where we can talk?"

 

"I already arranged that with the bartender, after Robin called. He says we can use the back room." He led the way there, closing the door and turning the thumb lock to make certain no one barged in.

 

"Would you mind if I ask how you know Robin?" Irving said.

 

"I met him two nights ago, at…" Micky frowned, as if trying to remember where. "At the Dalliance Club."

 

"Yes, I know the place. I visit it quite often actually. I don't recall seeing you there."

 

"It was my first time." Micky smiled shyly. "I saw Robin and was surprised they let someone so young in there. When we got to talking, he told me he's friends with the owner. From there, well, things progressed and to be honest I made a pass at him. He rejected it, then asked if I always went after men a good deal younger than I am. He didn't seem upset, just interested." Micky chewed his lip. "It took some prodding on his part but in the end, he got me to admit I like them young. Very young, if you get my drift."

 

"I do," Irving replied with a knowing smile.

 

"Anyway, the upshot of our conversation was that he knew a man who might be willing to take me to an escort service the man—you—use."

 

"Yes, that's what he told me. Let me think about it."

 

"Of course," Micky replied, his heart sinking. He had been hoping this would all happen tonight. Apparently Irving had other ideas.

 

"Why don't we go back out to the bar and have a drink. I'll make a couple of calls then let you know. First however, I'd like to see your ID before we take this any further."

 

"Naturally." Micky smirked, taking out the wallet Robin had given him that afternoon. It now held his new ID. Flipping it open, he showed Irving the driver's license, and when Irving asked, one of the credit cards as well.

 

"Excellent. With luck, I can set it up for you to come with me tonight."

 

"That sounds great. I hope…" Micky gave him the shy smile again.

 

"I don't think there will be any problem with their finding you the perfect…boy or girl?"

 

"A boy would be much more to my taste."

 

Irving's smile was predatory as he replied, "I rather thought it would be."