Boosted Pt. 02

"How was your day?" Maggie asked as they sat at his small table.

"Not bad. Someone is vandalizing Fudgy-Duddy."

"I hate vandals," she growled, forking a couple of pierogies onto her plate.

"I know. This could be worse. Someone keeps writing Packer on the window under the word Fudge."

"Packer?" she asked, clearly confused, but then broke into giggles. "Oh! That's terrible!"

"Yeah."

"Does Roberta know who's doing it?" Maggie asked as she forked a bit of perogy into her mouth.

"Nope," he said, not looking up.

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I gave her a couple of suggestions, and we'll increase the patrols downtown, but there isn't a lot we can do."

"That sucks."

He shrugged. "Yeah. I did get a bit of good news, today, though."

"What?"

"That place that's going into the old Chevy dealer in Tilley works on antique English cars."

"Really? That is good news."

"Yeah. Can you drop me off there Monday morning, and then take me back that afternoon sometime?"

"Sure. They're going to fix your car?"

"I'm going to give them a chance to, yeah."

"Good! You still owe me a trip in it."

"So I do." He paused, holding her gaze for a moment. "How about a trip to the mountains this summer to get a break from the heat?"

"A drive down the Parkway?" she asked, her eyes bright and her tone eager.

"That's what I was thinking."

"That sounds perfect!"

It did to him too. They finished eating, talking about the trip and making plans. Now that he'd said something he had to get the Jag running again, either at BIGS or somewhere else.

"What are we watching tonight?" he asked as he shut the door to the dishwasher and started it running.

"Have you ever seen Se7en?"

"No." He forced himself to not ask if the movie was any good, because when he did, she teased him about recommending bad movies.

"1995, Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey. It's a neo-noir crime thriller about a serial killer."

He smiled to himself. Two years ago he wouldn't have had a clue what a neo-noir crime thriller was. "If that's what you want to watch."

"Yeah. It's one of those classic movies from the nineties that everyone needs to see."

He trusted Maggie's recommendations. "Okay, sure. I assume you've already seen it?" He chuckled at the way she looked at him. "Sorry. I know, stupid question."

"It's okay. It's kind of fun watching these old movies with someone who's never seen them."

Not for the first time, he wondered how many movies she'd seen. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands. Without question, far more than he had. "Good thing," he teased.

She grinned. "Yeah. I can't believe the stuff you haven't seen. You've missed a lot of great movies."

"You'll just have to help me catch up," he said, pulling her into his arms.

She smiled up at him. "Deal," she said before kissing him quickly. "Come on," she said, tugging him gently out of the kitchen.

She had that look in her eye, the one that said she was in on some secret he wasn't. He huffed out a single laugh as he allowed her to drag him along to the couch. She was setting him up for some surprising twist in the film, but he'd have to wait to find out what it was. He picked up the remote and turned on the television as she snuggled into his side. He'd find out what twist in the story she wanted him to see soon enough, and then she'd talk excitedly to him about it. Having her so animated is what made watching the movies worthwhile, no matter what they were.

.

.

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FOUR

Sean twisted his key in the lock, the heavy bolt thudding with a metallic click as the door released. Laura must have locked the door to keep out the early birds. He pushed the door open and walked into Loch and Castle, relocking the door behind him. It was three-thirty, with the doors opening for business for the first time at five.

Laura appeared from the kitchen and smiled as the deadbolt clicked home. "Come to check on us?"

His lips twisted into a guilty smile. That wasn't what he intended, but if he were honest with himself, that was the reason he was there. "We on schedule?"

"We'll be ready. Ken and Jorie should be here in a half-hour."

Sean nodded. Jorie Ibarra was one of Laura's waitresses and the only one working tonight. He looked around the pub. It was really happening. "Anything I can do?"

"Show up with Maggie. Any idea of how many are coming?"

"No, but I think you'll get your twenty easily enough."

"Okay, good." She smiled, clearly picking up on his anxiety. "Don't worry. This is a great place and a great location. Once word starts to get around we're open, we're going to be packed."

"Great location?" he asked, his tone telegraphing his doubt. The pub was the only business in the entire downtown. It might be a great location, someday.

"Sure! You're on the corner with a parking lot. Having that parking lot makes this a choice spot, plus Loch and Castle is setting the standard for what goes into the rest of the places. Low-end greasy spoons will get killed competing with you for the dinner trade. They'll have to be nice places, and having a lot of quirky, upscale, places to choose from will draw a lot of customers to the area. The Mills project is going to drive demand and Brunswick doesn't have any yuppie places like this. Once one or two more places open, I think there'll be a stampede of people wanting to get in on the action. You could probably sell the place and make a killing. Trust me. I went to school for this."

He blew out a cleansing breath from puffed cheeks. "Not interested in doing that." He paused and shook his hands like he was warming up for a race. "Okay. Think positive... think positive," he muttered in a stage whisper.

She snickered. "That's it. Seriously, give it a couple of weeks and this place will be swamped, at least for a little while, because everyone will want to try the new place."

He jerked his head in hopeful acknowledgement. While he worried, Laura never seemed to doubt that Loch and Castle would be a success. She could afford to be positive because she wasn't the one paying the bills.

"I hope you're right."

"I am. Now, if you're going to be a worrywart party-pooper, go do it somewhere else. Tonight's going to be fun."

"No, I'm good. Is the coddle on the menu tonight?"

"Full menu and full bar."

"Great! I know what I'm having then."

"Brick is making the soda bread now."

He looked around one more time. Laura was right. It really was an amazing place. "If you don't need anything, I'm going to get out of your way. Maggie and I will be here about five."

She smiled and flicked her hands in a shooing gesture. "See you then."

-oOo-

Sean stopped at home and fed Marmalade. The cat still didn't appear to feel well and again refused to eat, even after he mashed up the cat's food as he had the night before. He wasn't rushed for time, so he picked up his pet and held him over his shoulder as he stroked the animal, something he'd been doing since Marmalade was a kitten. If Marmalade still acted like he didn't feel well on Sunday, Monday he'd take him to the vet. He carried the cat to the bedroom and placed him on the bed. Marmalade flopped over and watched with typical cat disinterest as Sean showered and then changed into something nicer than his police uniform. He considered adding his gray tweed jacket to his navy-blue pants and powder-blue shirt, but decided it was too warm for that and left it hanging in the closet.

"Be good," he murmured to Marmalade as he rubbed the cat on the head in passing, slightly worried about the animal's wellbeing.

After tossing the used litter, he drove to Maggie's. He wished the Jag was running properly so they could arrive in that, but they'd have plenty of opportunity to show up in style after the car was repaired. He opened the garage door but left his car sitting in the drive.

He stepped into the kitchen. "Maggie?" he called.

"In the bedroom!" a faint voice replied. "I'm almost ready to go," she said as he stepped into their room. "You look nice."

"So do you," he replied.

She was wearing a dark gray pleated skirt with a white sleeveless top and pale blue sneakers. It was a breezy, casual look that suited her. She finished pulling her hair back and tying it off into a ponytail.

"Ready." He looped an arm around her back and pulled her into a kiss and then held her a moment, pressing his forehead lightly into hers. "Nervous?" she asked.

A flicker of a smile crossed his lips as he quickly kissed her again and then let her go. "Yeah, a little."

"I think tonight's going to be fine. I told everyone at work. I doubt the operators will stop by, but Alex said she and Brad would definitely be there, and Ted said he and Amelia might stop in."

He nodded. "Yeah. I think a few of my guys are going to try to make it. Terri's been on me about it, so she'd better show up tonight after riding me so hard." He paused and held her gaze a moment. "I just hope I didn't make a terrible mistake with this."

"Somebody has to be first, and you said early on you almost couldn't lose."

"Yeah, but that was before I went way over budget."

She shrugged. "But the place looks great. Don't give up hope before you even open."

He nodded and kissed her one more time. She was right. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing at the door.

"Please."

They drove back to Loch and Castle, Maggie doing most of the talking because he couldn't seem to shake the lingering dread that had been hanging over him all day. He should be excited, but all he could seem to think about was what would happen if the pub flopped. He pulled into the parking lot. His was the only car in the lot, Laura and the rest of the staff parking on the street down the block to leave the limited parking around the pub for customers. He escorted Maggie to the front door, took a deep breath, and forced a smile as he pulled the door open. It wouldn't do for the owner to look worried or depressed.

"Welcome to Loch and Castle," Laura said as they entered. "Take a seat anywhere."

Sean steered Maggie to a table by the windows. He wanted to be able to watch as other customers arrived. Assuming they got other customers. Stop it! He silently ordered himself.

Jorie paused at their table and placed two menus in front of them. "Excited?"

Sean grinned. "Yeah, a bit. A little nervous too."

Jorie smiled. "Can I get you a drink to settle your nerves?"

"A pint of Guinness," Sean said without hesitation. In his opinion, going into an Irish pub and not drinking a Guinness would be like going to a Fourth of July barbecue and not eating a hamburger or hot dog. It was just wrong.

Jorie looked to Maggie for her order. "I may regret this, but I'll have one too."

"Two Guinness', coming up."

"If I don't drink mine, you can have it," Maggie continued after Jorie left. She picked up her menu. "What are you having?"

He didn't even look at his menu. "The coddle."

"Okay, then I'll have something else."

She'd watched as Loch and Castle came together, but this was going to be her first time sampling the fare. "I love the names of some of these dishes. Bangers and Mash. Boxty. Coddle. At least I've heard of Shepherd's Pie and Corned Beef and Cabbage." She looked over the menu at him and smiled. "Dare I ask what's good?"

He smiled back. "All of it."

Her smiled widened. "Somehow I knew you were going to say that. What do you recommend?"

"Try one of the boxty dishes," he said as Jorie placed their beers in front them. He couldn't help but smile. The pours were perfect, the dark ruby beer contrasting with the white foamy head, and he hadn't seen an actual Guinness harp glass anywhere except here since leaving Boston.

"Ready to order or do you need a few minutes?" Jorie asked and then paused, glancing between Sean and Maggie.

"We're ready," Maggie said. "I'll have the Killarney Boxty."

"Coddle," Sean said the moment Jorie looked at him.

"I'll get the order right in."

Maggie picked up her glass and held it out. Sean did the same, touching his glass to hers. "To your success," she said before taking a sip. "Oh my God!" she gasped, her face twisting as a shudder ran through her. "Nope," she added, placing the glass on the table and sliding it to him.

He snickered. "Don't like it?"

She smacked and scraped her tongue against her teeth. "I don't know what the big deal is about Guinness. It's awful." He knew she wasn't much of a beer drinker, and Guinness was a dry Stout, so her reaction wasn't a total surprise. He continued to chuckle as another shiver passed through her. "You like that?" she asked, her tone a mixture of astonishment and disbelief.

He took another pull on his beer. It looked like he was drinking two tonight. "What's not to like?" He chuckled again when she made a face and shook her head. "Before you give up, try it with your meal. It really does pair well with Irish food."

She caught Jorie's attention and ordered herself a tea. As they waited on their food, Chips and his girlfriend, Natasha, arrived, and a few minutes after that, Alex and her husband, Brad, entered. They both greeted Sean and Maggie warmly, teasing Sean about giving up his position as chief of police and running Loch and Castle full time.

Their food arrived as a few other patrons entered and were seated. Most stopped to say hello, but even those that didn't interrupt their meal at least waved in greeting.

"This is really good," Maggie said, taking another bite of her boxty, a potato pancake stuffed with mushrooms, leeks, and marinated chicken.

"Try this," Sean suggested, pushing his dish toward her.

Using her spoon, she scooped up the broth with a bit of potato, blew it cool, and popped it into her mouth. "Oh, that's good too!"

The pub was beginning to fill, and everyone seemed happy. The early arrivers were getting their food and starting to eat as a slow but steady trickle of people arrived. At Sean's coaxing, Maggie tried her Guinness again, and while she agreed it was better with food, it still wasn't her pint of beer. By the time he was scraping up the last of his meal, his beer, and most of Maggie's, was gone.

"Let's go around and thank everyone," he suggested as Jorie took away their plates.

They were slowly circling the room, talking with everyone when movement at the door caught his eye. Hudson Voiles waddled in and looked around, an equally robust woman on his arm.

"Excuse me," Sean said to Brad and Alex. "Mayor Voiles! Are you joining us tonight?"

Hud nodded. "It looked like you were open, so Margaret and I thought we'd stop in. Marge, this is Sean McGhee. Chief, Margaret Voiles, my wife."

Sean took Margaret's hand. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Voiles. This is Maggie Neese. She's the plant superintendent for ABT's wastewater plant."

"Call me Marge," she said, taking their hands. "Good to finally meet you both, especially you Sean. Hud has told me a lot about you, and you've certainly done a lot for our little town. You too Ms. Neese."

"Just doing my job, ma'am," Sean said before he turned his attention back to Hud. "We're not officially open. This is sort of a dry run to make sure we're ready, but I think we can find a spot for you. Have a seat anywhere."

He and Maggie continued to circulate until they'd spoken with everyone. During a lull, Sean pulled Laura aside. "Maggie and I are going to go. Give me a call later and tell me how it went?"

"Sure. No big problems so far."

"Small ones?"

Laura smiled. "A few, but that's why we do this. We'll make adjustments."

"Good enough. Don't forget or I won't be able to sleep."

Laura and Maggie both snickered. "I won't," Laura said.

Sean escorted Maggie out, waving as a Tilley police cruiser crawled by. That was the third time in the last half-hour he'd seen a car pass. He hadn't asked for it, but the officers assigned to Tilley were making extra patrols past his pub to prevent anyone from getting ideas.

"I enjoyed tonight," Maggie said as they walked to his car.

"So did I. What did you think? Be honest."

"I liked it. The food was really good, and I liked the atmosphere. I don't visit a lot of bars, but Loch and Castle is a place I'd go." She smiled at him and leaned in a little closer. "I don't think I'll order another Guinness though."

He snickered and nodded. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me, but it's a pub, not a bar. There's a difference. A pub is a place you go to have a pint with a friend and maybe something to eat. A bar is where you go to get hammered."

"Yeah, that's what you keep telling me. Your place is more like a restaurant."

"Because it's a pub." He opened the door to his car. "Let me show you where we're taking the Jag on Monday," he continued as she settled into his car.

They drove out of the downtown area, heading north toward Cleveland Road on the far side of town. Tilley wasn't large, with only 6,000 souls, so it didn't take them long to arrive.

"Busy tonight," Maggie said as they drove past.

"Yeah," Sean replied. It was only seven, but he was surprised the building was all lit up. "Must be trying to get ready to open."

She nodded. "I suppose, but working late on a Friday would suck."

He bobbed his head in agreement. "Yes, it would."

He turned around at the first crossroads he came to, so he didn't have to drive miles out of their way, and then returned to her house. After changing, they settled onto her couch to watch Inside Man, a crime thriller by Spike Lee. He was thoroughly engrossed in the film, trying to figure out what was going to happen next, when his phone rang. He paused the movie and looked to see who was calling.

"Laura," he said as he pressed the button to accept the call. "This is Sean. How'd it go?"

"Great! I comped everyone's food order, but not their alcohol. Reviews were great. Everyone loved the food. As I told you, we uncovered a couple of small problems, but we'll adjust."

"Like what?" he asked.

"Like, Jorie didn't expect Ken to take food orders, and that caused some confusion, so a couple of orders were delayed and wrong. We also need to move a table. Maybe take it out all-together. When someone sits there, the kitchen door will hit one of the chairs if it opens all the way. Nothing major, but this is why I wanted to have a run through. It's how we find stuff like this."

"But overall it was a good night?"

"I think it went as well as you could expect. We had a good crowd, thirty-four people, and now we have a better feel for what sells. Bangers and Mash was the big seller tonight. We'll work on the communication problem between Ken and Jorie, adjust the tables a little, make a few other adjustments, and we'll be good."

He let out a long slow breath. "Thanks for letting me know."

"No problem. Congratulations, Sean. As of four tomorrow you'll officially be in business."

He couldn't help but smile. "Thanks for all you've done. I couldn't have done it without you."

"I'll remind you that you said that when it comes time for a raise," she said, her teasing clear in her voice.

"You do that. Anything else?"

"Nope. I'm going to lock the receipts in the safe and call it a day."

"Have a good evening."

"Thanks. You too."

He ended the call. "Well?" Maggie asked when he picked up the remote.

He shrugged. "She said it went well. She wants to open for dinner starting tomorrow."

"Not lunch? Tomorrow's Saturday."

"No, not yet." Maggie knew he'd originally planned to open for lunch on Saturday and Sunday to take advantage of the increased shopping in Brunswick. "Laura wants to wait a few months before opening for lunch to give people time to learn we're there. She convinced me we'd be paying for staff to do nothing but stand around, so I agreed to open for dinner only for a while."