“Rocker’s an electrician, so he’s going to put a plug in the floor like you asked him to do.”Denver grinned and shook his head.“And I’m present because I want to make an appointment.”
“You don’t get an appointment until after mine.”
“When’s yours?”
Dan lifted his chin.“Was supposed to be yesterday, but that got preempted pretty hard.”
“Then set another appointment already, so I can get mine in right after you.”Denver spread his hands.“Easy as.”
“I was going to call you.”Dan pointed at the door.“I’m guessing you saw the tag?”
“Yeah, next on my list to ask about.”
“Riley had an ex named Ronald Valdez, and RONRIL was a short name for their relationship.She said he’d be the only one to know about it.”
Rocker looked back at the door and laughed.“I read it as LIRNOR and was trying to figure out what club that stood for.I’m going to go outside and check around.”
“Thanks,” Dan told him.“I haven’t had a chance to yet.”
“Okay, so we look up this Ronald and see what he’s got going on.”Denver shrugged off his backpack and pulled a laptop out.“Also easy as.”He put meaning to the words and had the laptop set up within a few moments.
“Except he’s supposed to be deceased for a few years now.”
“Huh,” Denver said, gaze fixed on the laptop.“That’s odd.”
“Yup.Sure is.Hey, I’ve got a prospect running some paint remover out.If you need to document, take pics now.”
“Will do.”Denver sounded distracted, staring at the laptop while he typed furiously.
“Maybe I’ll take some photos.”
“Mmhmm.Good.”Denver never looked up, and when Dan glanced at Riley, she was trying to hold back giggles and failing.
Rocker walked in with a shake of the head, then stopped before saying anything, looking between Dan and Riley.“What’s so funny?”
“I took those pics.”Dan pointed at Denver and held up a finger to shush Rocker.
“Mmhmm.Great.”Denver bent closer to the laptop screen, fingers still flying.
“Oh, got it.He’s in the ‘zone.’”He made air quotes around the word.“He gets like that.Don’t you, Denver?”
“Mmhmm.Sure.”
“That’s how we know he’s locked in.He won’t even look up until he finds whatever he’s hunting for.”Rocker looked around the studio.“Nice flash.Your artwork?”
“Yes,” Riley said, sweeping the area with an expression of pride.“Every drawing is mine.Oh, speaking of sketches, we’ve put this one off too long, Raggedy Dan.”She went to her chair and opened a portfolio stashed nearby, bringing out two or three sheets of paper.“Here, let’s go over these concepts.”With a couple of pushes of the controller, she manipulated the tattoo chair so it rose to waist height and flattened out like a table.“This is for what you originally wanted.”
The sketch was an oblong form with scrolls on the edges framing the center.That was filled with fifteen scattered stars, a double-edged sword piercing a heart, and set above it all was the shield of the US Army.
“Jesus, Riley.That’s gorgeous.I was afraid the things I wanted wouldn’t make sense together, but you emphasized the right stuff.I’m down.Let’s start.”
She smiled at him and blinked quickly for a moment, then sniffed.“Thanks.Means a lot that you like it.”She blew out a harsh breath.“Okay, so that’d be a go if you don’t like this concept.”She smoothed another piece of paper, patting the edges until they were flat.“This has everything you wanted, but it’s taking up more real estate on your body.”
The original sketch had been pulled apart and put together again.On the shoulder element, the US Army seal was prominent, with the number of years served highlighted, the last numeral crumbling like it had been burned or blown-up.All of that was on a framed oval set on top of the USA flag in gray and black.On his chest the tattoo would connect via the flag background, and either side of the segment was a sword, both double-edged, one pointed up and one pointed down.The heart had been pushed to the center of the space but still showed marks of where it had been stabbed.Each star looked like it was part of the heart itself.
When he was quiet, Riley flipped another piece of paper on top.Before she could explain what was clearly a more simplified version of the art she’d created, he’d yanked it away, staring at what was going to be his next tattoo.
“I love it.Tell me about the swords.”