Page 65 of Zero Divergence

“It won’t be long before the food arrives, then,” Erik said. “What can I help you with?”

Royce explained why they were there and the information they needed.

“Sugar was here all right,” Erik said. “He caught the eye of a patron on Friday night that the divas were practically fighting over. They must’ve had some insane chemistry because the guy kept coming back and requested to sit in Sugar’s section.”

“The divas?” Royce asked.

Erik shrugged and said, “You know the type.”

“Enlighten me,” Sawyer said dryly.

“The extra pretty, high-maintenance ones who view every sexy, rich guy as their potential future husband and will stop at nothing to get their attention, including sabotaging one of their coworkers.”

“Sounds entertaining as hell,” Royce said, earning a glare from Sawyer.

Maverick returned to the table with the wings and Cokes. Royce’s mouth started to water when he got a whiff of the chicken. They sure as hell smelled like the best in the city.

“Can I get you boys anything else?” the waiter asked.

“No, we’re good,” Sawyer said.

“Okay, then. I’ll be back to check on you soon.” Maverick winked before sauntering off, his swaying hips garnering Erik’s attention.

“We need to know if Blakemore was late getting back to work from dinner or other breaks. Can you get us the times he clocked in and out?”

Erik snapped his head back around to look at them. “Now?” he asked, shifting his gaze toward the pile of wings.

“Yep,” Royce said, not wanting to spend any more time with the sleazebag.

Erik heaved a sigh. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with a printout.”

Royce picked up a wing and waved it at him. “Thanks.”

Once they were alone again, Sawyer said, “I’m not letting that guy comp us anything. He gives me the creeps. I regret not sticking around in the hallway to make sure the person in his office was there of their own free will.”

“We can ask around before we leave to make sure he’s on the up-and-up.” Royce didn’t like the idea of the manager using his position to gain sexual favors from employees.

“Yeah, that works,” Sawyer said.

They exchanged nothing but grins once they started digging into the food. They really were perfect wings. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They’d demolished the plate, including the side of celery, by the time Erik returned.

“Here you go,” he said, setting a document on the table.

Royce wiped his hand with one of the wet towelettes provided. Then he picked up the printout. “How long are their dinner breaks?”

“Forty-five minutes,” Erik replied.

Royce noticed Blakemore had taken an extra fifteen minutes on Friday and Sunday but had clocked out for a full ninety minutes on Saturday night. Royce handed the paper to Sawyer once he wiped his hands. Sawyer glanced at the times, then snapped his gaze up to meet Royce’s.

Where had Kendall Blakemore gone on Saturday night for ninety minutes?

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” Erik asked, looking between Sawyer and Royce.

“Yeah,” Sawyer said, leaning forward. “I better not find out you use your position as manager to gain sexual favors from employees.”

The man’s face went as white as a sheet, and he flopped back against the seat as if Sawyer had physically struck him. “I would never—” Erik sputtered.

Royce held up his hand, cutting him off. “Save it, buddy. I am going to ask around, and if I don’t like what I hear, I’m going to knock on your door again, and I can promise you won’t like it.”