Silas said nothing.
“I want boundaries.”
“Name them.”
“No drinking around him.”
Silas almost objected on reflex, then stopped. “If he is there during the day, we keep it clean.”
“No weapons handled near him.”
“Fine.”
“No stories that turn violence into heroism.”
Silas looked toward the barroom. “That one might be good for some of my men too.”
Sarah ignored the humor. “And nobody tells him he has to grow up to be part of your club because of his father.”
Silas's answer came immediately. “Agreed.”
A pause.
“Then Saturday.”
“Saturday.”
Toby arrived at noon wearing the same corduroy jacket.
Sarah came with him this time.
The Rusty Anchor had never looked so clean. Sal had opened windows early to clear smoke. Somebody had wiped every table twice. Beer signs were still on the walls, but ashtrays had disappeared and the front room smelled more like floor cleaner than whiskey.
Toby noticed immediately.
“You cleaned.”
Bones looked offended. “We clean.”
“Not like this.”
Several men laughed.
Sarah stood in the doorway rigid with memory she had never personally lived. This was the world that had taken Elias before she met him and the world he had feared would take him back. Seeing it in daylight made it less mythic but not harmless.
Silas approached without his vest.
Sarah noticed.
“You did not have to take that off.”
“I know.”
The answer made her expression soften slightly.
Toby reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver lighter.
Every man near the bar went quiet again, though not with the same alarm.
“Can you show me where he used to sit?” Toby asked.
Silas looked toward an old booth beneath the window.
“That one.”
Toby walked to it.
The vinyl seat had been replaced twice since 1973. The table was newer. Nothing physically connected it to Elias anymore. Yet several older members followed Toby with their eyes as if the past had just taken a seat.
Silas joined him.
“Your father hated this booth.”
Toby looked up. “Then why was it his?”
“Because it was closest to the back door. He liked seeing exits.”
Sarah closed her eyes briefly.