Cindy giggled.

“Of course!”

Stony-faced, Leila snapped, “Cindy! Have you forgotten what you came here to ask about? And, and… weren’t you so worried about Gerald, just a moment ago? Aren’t you curious why he’s unscathed?”

“Oh, right! Gosh, in my excitement I quite forgot. Gerald, tell us. How are you still in one piece? And are all those guys outside your people?”

“Indeed… how am I still in one piece?” Gerald answered dumbly.

“We’re asking you!” Leila frowned, glaring at Gerald.

Then Gerald clapped a hand to his forehead. “Oh, I remember now. Just as I was about to come to blows with Louie, the patrons from next door burst into the room, and maybe they had some kind of grudge against Louie, because everyone started fighting on sight! In all that chaos, I managed to slip away.” Gerald finished with a laugh.

Leila was so mad that words failed her.

Gerald was obviously lying. Slipped away? Like, out of the karaoke bar… and into the restaurant next door, for a spot of fine dining?