I stopped two feet from the table. "Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit," I hissed at Brodie. "I know that guy. He works for Gairloch."

"I know him, too, Princess. Keep going."

I couldn't argue. Brodie physically moved me toward the table, and pulled out a chair for me. Once again, I shared a table with Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, the crack-selling congressman and his wife.

"I hope this night goes better than the last we shared." The congressman guffawed. "Crazy bastard set ...