The elevator doors slid open, and Lucien stepped out into the penthouse suite on the top floor, directly above the casino below.
The space was lavish, with the main area opening into a lounge furnished with plush leather seating arranged around low glass tables.
To the left stood a full bar, and behind it, an elf with pointed ears was already at work, pouring drinks into two glasses without being asked.
A distraught looking Joe sat on one of the bar stools with his head lowered.
Lucien crossed the room, and when he reached the bar, he took one glass from the elf bartender with a slight nod of acknowledgment. He then slid the second glass toward Joe.
The glass stopped just short of Joe's elbow. But without looking up, Joe shook his head and raised a hand in refusal.
Lucien said nothing, instead he lifted his own glass, took a slow sip, then turned and walked toward the corner of the room where there was a cushioned seat
