EXPLANATORY NOTE: This chapter contains sexual innuendo, explicit violence, and sensitive (religious) themes for some adults.
If you are sensitive to these themes, it is recommended that you stop reading this story.
He asks, "Does the name sound familiar?"
John pauses, thinks back, and doesn't seem familiar.
At least if he saw a photograph of the man, it would be easier to say whether he knew him or not.
The answer is somewhat ambiguous.
The plates arrive at the table, the waitress delivers them and asks if they can get anything else.
Clive says yes, orders a slice of pumpkin pie, and with a gesture asks John if he'd like one too?
John shakes his head.
The dish is well received by the detective; he sniffs it and approves.
He comments that it's a good stew, and the smell of freshly washed hands makes him crave more.
John turns to look at him for just a second; he knows he's talking about him.
Clive asks if he doesn't mind eating with gloves on; it's always better to be able to lick your fingers after a good meal.
John replies that he doesn't have that habit.
They continue eating.
Clive says he won't beat around the bush.
This case involving Cristina could be related to a bigger case; he needs John's cooperation to rule him out of the other one.
John's head starts to hurt.
This isn't a meal, not an interrogation; he's cornering him.
Clive tells him he should just tell everything he knows, and he'll leave him alone.
The detective eats his food shamelessly, while John feels slightly nauseous just being there.
Clive takes a photograph.
Like John, Sam is also being investigated.
John takes the photograph and examines it.
In fact, he does know the man, though not by name.
He remembers that two men went to the real estate agency to get a quote for the construction of a greenhouse with specific requests, and the case was given to John.
He did have dealings with them for almost a month, during which the construction lasted.
That happened last year.