by Lisa Olsen
“Maybe I’ll lead with that tonight,” he smiled to himself, going to the bay window at the flash of headlights outside. About to turn and grab his keys, Nick stopped stock still at the sight of Natalie’s fishnet clad legs swinging out of her sensible sedan.
There wasn’t a single thing that screamed cop about Special Agent Natalie Fox from the tight band of leather she called a skirt to the shimmery, silver, halter top that left her shoulders and back bare to the muggy night. Her hair fell long and lush over one shoulder, pinned back from her ear with a network of sparkly pins shaped like spiders. A large silver pentacle hung nestled between the ample cleavage over her heart, drawing the eye like a lodestone.
She stalked down the path to the door on four inch stiletto heels, and Nick let out a low whistle of appreciation at the extra sway she put in her step. Materializing by his side, Veronica’s brow puckered in confusion.
“Are you bringing a date to Rose’s party?”
“No, she’s an old friend of mine from out of town.”
“How come you didn’t mention her before?”
“Maybe I did and you didn’t notice, considering you tune out what I say half the time,” he grinned, tapping her on the nose.
“Annaliese isn’t going to like this,” she muttered, features settling into a frown of disapproval.
“Relax. Grownups understand they can have friends of the opposite sex. It’s not a big deal.”
“I forget you’re a man sometimes.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nick looked away from the window to stare at his daughter.
“That you can seem perfectly competent as a cop and a father, and then you go ahead and do something boneheaded, and I remember that you’re a guy after all.”
Not quite sure how to take that, he was saved by the bell, pulling the door open to invite Natalie inside. Up close she looked even better, lips slick and inviting with gloss and a dramatic sweep of eyeliner that gave her dark eyes an exotic cast.
“Told you I could blend in,” Natalie smirked when she saw his face and Nick tried not to stare too hard at the beauty mark that drove him so nuts.
“Come in, come in. Veronica, this is my friend Natalie Fox. Nat, you might remember V,” he said by way of introduction.
“Wow, you really have grown up,” Natalie smiled, even as Veronica held on tight to her frown.
“I’m sorry, have we met before?”
Natalie’s smile stayed put even at Veronica’s frosty tone. “The last time I saw you, you were in pig tails and purple fuzzy slippers.”
“The only thing that’s changed there is the size of the fuzzy slippers,” Nick joked, clapping his hands onto Veronica’s shoulders.
“Oh, come on, Nick. It’s plain to see your daughter’s grown into a young woman,” Natalie chided him lightly, but Veronica didn’t seem impressed by the vote of confidence. Instead, her eyes lit upon the heavy pentacle around the woman’s neck.
“That’s a pretty necklace. Are you into witchcraft?”
“Me? Hell no,” Natalie waved her off. “But like I said before, it’s all about blending in. When in Rome, do as the Romans do and all that.”
Nick made a show of checking himself in the mirror again. “Maybe I should go up and put on some eyeliner after all.”
“No-ooo… I don’t think you could carry that off. The button-up shirt is a fail though. We’d better go up and find you something else.” She tugged at the end of his jacket, leading him toward the stairs.
“I think I’ll be fine.”
“You look like a cop.”
Nick tried to avoid the I told you so look from Veronica as he followed Natalie up the stairs, desperately trying not to stare at the sway of her derrière right at eye level. Without fail she led him straight to his bedroom, disappearing into his small walk-in closet while he kicked a few loose clothes under the bed.
“What’s the game plan for tonight?” he called out, not about to follow her in there. “Are we just there to scope him out again, or are we looking for something in particular?”
“Take off your shirt,” she ordered, ignoring his question while she rummaged around in there.
“Ah… okay.” Tossing his jacket on the bed, he unbuttoned the shirt and stripped it off as she emerged from the closet, an appraising smile on her face.
“Not bad, not bad at all.”
The moment stretched on and Natalie gave no sign of handing over the small bundle of fabric in her hands. “Are you going to give me a shirt or should I go like this?” He struck a pose, and she tossed over the bundle. Nick unfolded it to reveal an old faded Superman t-shirt she must’ve dug out of the bottom of his shirt drawer. “I can’t wear this to a heavy metal rocker party, I’ll get my ass kicked.”
“That’s the whole point. It says I believe in my convictions, don’t fuck with me.” When he didn’t immediately put it on she stepped closer, hands sliding over his chest as if smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. “You trust me, don’t you, Nick?” she smiled, head canting to one side.
Nick swallowed, not quite sure how to take the challenging look in her eye. Was she teasing him? Was she into him? One thing for sure, he had no business standing half naked in his bedroom with a woman who wasn’t Annaliese. Tugging on the shirt, he used the motion as an excuse to put some distance between them.
“So, about tonight…” he prompted. “The game plan?”
Natalie backed off without pressing for anything, her voice betraying no sense of disappointment at his withdrawal. “This night is strictly about recon. I need to see him in his natural element. Who he surrounds himself with, how he interacts with others. If I’m right, he’ll identify our next vic.”
“You honestly think he’ll make a move at a party full of people?”
“It’s what he does,” she said with a grim cast to her features, the flirtatious moves gone. “He picks his target, then separates them from the herd and goes in for the kill. Probably not tonight, but mark my words, another death is coming soon. I can feel it.”
Nick suppressed a shiver at the prophecy, her utter conviction chilling him to the bone. “Let’s hope not, but I’ll keep my eye on the sparrow.” Tugging the leather jacket back on he made a slow circle with his hands stretched out. “Better?”
“Better,” she agreed. “Alright, let’s get in there. Any last questions?”
“Just one.”
She paused by the door. “What’s that?”
“Where are you hiding your gun?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Arching a single brow, Natalie left the room, a secret smile on her lips.
* * *
The Spencer house was large enough to be considered a mansion by modern standards. Overlooking the river, its warm yellow stones gave the place a welcoming feel with its well manicured hedges and large circular driveway all ablaze with golden light. Rose came from serious money. A piece of prime real estate right on the water would set her back three or four mil at least by his estimation, even in today’s market.
In addition to the uplights lining the driveway, there were brightly colored paper lanterns strewn across the balconies, surrounding the whole house with a festive punch of celebration. A uniformed valet attendant handed over a claim check, free of charge, when Nick surrendered his keys.
Taking Natalie’s elbow, he guided her through the sea of people swarming by the front entrance, holding his breath until they passed the cloud of smoke permeating the area. The tinge of marijuana in the air pricked at his inner sense of duty, but Nick let it slide. They had bigger fish to fry.
Once past the initial crush of people, the crowd thinned out and he spotted their quarry standing by the open bar, chatting up a pretty blonde. “There he is, by the French doors,” he said with a reverse nod.
“I see him,” she acknowledged quietly. “I think maybe I’ll go get a drink.”
“Hold up a sec, I see someone I’d like you to meet first.” Hand at the small of her back, he steered h
er toward Annaliese, who’d emerged from the kitchen with an enormous platter of cheese cubes in various flavors.
Despite the tray in her hands she looked nothing like the help. Dressed in a long black skirt made of yards and yards of sheer chiffon that floated when she moved, a bright blue scarf covered in silver coins like a belly dancer might wear knotted over one hip. Her long sleeved top, dyed the same blue as the hip scarf, crisscrossed over her chest, the ends tying over her navel, revealing an expanse of tanned midriff.
It was probably the most made up he’d ever seen her. Annaliese tended to keep a minimal regimen when it came to cosmetics, but her eyes were heavily lined with kohl, a sparkle of iridescent blue on her eyelids. Silver bracelets jingled at her wrists, one of them extending in a net of silver mesh to a ring around her middle finger. Matching earrings winked against the dark curtain of her hair which fell free over her shoulders, curling slightly at the ends.
The overall effect was stunning, and Nick wanted nothing more than to drag her away from the party for a more private greeting, only the woman to his side reminded him he was there with a job to do. Still, he promised himself at least one slow dance with her if only for the excuse to hold her close.
Annaliese took one look at him and suppressed a laugh. “Are you here to save the day?” she quipped, and Nick struck a pose, hands on his hips.
“Ready to eat small hors d’oeuvres in a single bite,” he grinned, snatching a cheese cube off the tray and popping it in his mouth. “Annie, I’d like you to meet Natalie Fox, she’s the one I was telling you about. Nat, this is Annaliese Cross.”
Annaliese noticed Natalie for the first time, her expressive face unable to mask her surprise. “This is your old friend?”
“Yep.”
“The one in the FBI?”
Natalie reached out and touched Anna’s arm. “Ooh, let’s keep that on the down low for tonight. People tend to get jumpy when they hear what I do for a living.”
“So you decided to go with high class call girl instead?”
Meow. Nick wasn’t sure if he should intervene or let the two of them scratch it out, but Natalie smiled at the dig.
“Thanks, that’s exactly the look I was going for. Sexy, sophisticated, maybe slightly dangerous. What do you think, Nick?” She draped her arm over his shoulder. “Can I catch a man’s attention tonight? I do always get my man.”
He shifted uncomfortably at her touch, wondering if he could get away with stuffing a piece of cheese in Nat’s mouth.
“Catching it and holding it aren’t the same thing.” Annaliese’s gaze hardened, her voice cold.
“Spoken like a woman who’s lost more than one man to a more expensive model. Come on, Nick. I think it’s time to mingle.”
Nick extricated himself from under her arm, joining Anna’s side before he found himself sleeping in the doghouse. “You go ahead, Nat, I’m good here. Eye on the sparrow, remember?”
“Suit yourself. But don’t go too far in case I need you.” Natalie stalked away without another word.
About to try and smooth things over with a compliment, Nick lost his chance when Anna whirled on him, her features twisted in annoyance.
“That’s your friend?”
“An old one,” he nodded, ducking away from the thunderous bunch of her brows. “Old, old… as in I don’t even know her any more.”
“And how well did you used to know her?”
“How well do we truly know anyone?” Nick dodged, heartened by the jealous display. “For instance I’ve never heard you call anyone a hooker to her face before. Especially someone who carries a gun.”
“Usually I surround myself with much better company,” she said loftily.
Nick chuckled at that. “Come on, let’s go get you a saucer of milk before you’re tempted to scratch her eyes out.” Anna let him lead her toward the buffet table so she could set down the tray of cheese, his hands on her shoulders in a lightly massaging caress to smooth away the tension there.
“We have people for that, Anna.” Rose materialized by their side. Her shoulder length, dark, wavy, hair was pulled back into a chic knot, a few silky tendrils framing her face. The usual ruddy cheeks were gone, expensive cosmetics giving her a pale, almost listless complexion, though her bright blue eyes shone with plenty of life. Sheathed in a black cocktail dress covered in jet beads that captured the light, she looked every inch the wealthy benefactress – except for the pentacle dangling from the wide velvet choker at her throat.
Annaliese set the tray on the table with an almost guilty swiftness. “I know, but they’re all so busy, and I know where you keep the cheese.”
“Hello, Rose, good to see you again. You look very nice,” Nick said by way of greeting, which she chose to ignore, smiling at her guests instead. “You look incredible by the way,” he added in a lower voice, leaning in to kiss Anna’s shoulder.
“Save it, Sergeant, you’ve already got the girl,” Rose muttered, her lips frozen in a public smile.
“Catching her and keeping her are two different things,” he replied, gratified to see the answering smile on Annaliese’s face. “And she’s definitely a keeper.”
Rose’s eyes darted to the couple who only had eyes for each other before returning to sweep over the crowd. “Who’s the power-slut you came in with?”
“Wha…?” Nick blinked, following the direction of her gaze, he noticed her watching Natalie out on the dance floor with a guy in a shiny sharkskin suit who clearly thought he was at least ten years younger than his actual age from his dance moves. “Hey, she happens to be a nice lady.”
“I’m not sure I agree with either of those terms,” Annaliese muttered, her eyes on the pair as well, and Nick felt compelled to defend Natalie in spite of her earlier cattiness.
“She’s just not used to playing well with others. It happens in her line of work.”
“Whatever,” Rose replied, sounding bored with the topic already. “Just keep in mind I’m holding you responsible for anything she does, so keep an eye on her. If she can’t play nice she’ll have to go home. I’ll catch you later, Anna, gotta go greet the Mayor. Try to relax and have a good time. Who cares if these freeloaders run out of food?”
“I’ll try and keep that in mind,” Anna promised.
“Do you want to dance?” Nick offered, his arm snaking around her trim waist to pull her close, but Anna remained rooted to the spot, looking into the crowd.
“There’s something wrong with that woman,” she declared.
Nick watched Rose’s retreating form, offering a half shrug. “I’ve thought so before too, but hey, she’s your friend.”
“Not Rose, your friend.”
“What do you mean?” His brows drew together into a single dark line. “She’s one of the good guys.”
“Maybe so, but there’s definitely a bad energy around her.”
“You’re just saying that because she keeps hitting on me.”
Annaliese turned to look at him. “She keeps hitting on you?”
Oops. “What kind of a bad energy?” he asked, trying to deflect the question and it worked, her gaze once more returning to Agent Fox.
“I don’t know. It’s like a dark feeling of foreboding… it crackles in the air around her. Whatever it is, it’s not good.”
“You have to admit, your radar’s not always a hundred percent though. Remember what happened with Ellie and the murders,” Nick reminded gently. “You couldn’t tell the bad from the good.”
“I know, I’m not saying she’s bad, only that there’s a bad energy around her. It could be coming from her or something external. All I know is, I wish you’d stay away from her.”
Nick felt her shiver in his arms and pulled her closer. “She’ll only be in town for a few days, I’m pretty sure I’m safe from her bad vibes. Tell me though, do you feel any other kind of bad juju from anyone else in the room?”
Her eyes scanned over the room and he felt her deep breaths as she concentrated. “N
ope, not a one, just her.”
His eyes riveted to where Jax May still flirted with the blonde at the bar, he challenged her to take another look. “Not your friends, no one?”
“No, Nick,” she said with a long suffering sigh. “I don’t get any bad feelings from either Ruby or Jackson. I keep telling you, they’re good people.”
A hairy guy in a cowboy hat and nothing else went streaking through the room with a whooping cry before he cannonballed into the Jacuzzi, and people barely seemed to notice. “This is the weirdest party,” Nick muttered. “Isn’t it odd that Rose decided to throw it on such a spur of the moment? I got the feeling they’d fallen completely out of touch.”
“Rose and Ruby used to sort of date back in the day. Not that they actually went out on dates or anything, it was more of a discreet hook up. Now nobody cares,” she said with a shrug. “But they were very close.”
“No kidding?” So maybe he hadn’t imagined that look from Ruby down Veronica’s shirt. “Good to know,” he murmured. “How come they’re not hanging out together tonight?” The two women were across the room from each other. Rose still chatting with the mayor while Ruby attempted to set fire to a potted palm next to the chair she sprawled in with a golden lighter.
“I’m not sure. I know Rose was happy to see her again, but earlier she said there was something off about Ruby tonight.”
“It’s probably the drugs,” he nodded sagely.
“You don’t know for sure if she’s on drugs or not.”
“I’m a cop, remember? She’s definitely using something regularly.” Almost as if on cue, Ruby struggled out of her chair, tottering over to her brother’s side where she jostled into him, making him spill his drink all over the girl he was still chatting up. “This is getting good,” Nick grinned, drifting closer to the bar with Annaliese in tow.
Chapter Eight
The girl gave a squeal over the spill, but then turned to Jax with a sultry smile. “How about you come upstairs and help me get cleaned up?” Jax looked like he might not object to that plan, but Ruby gave the girl a bleary eyed scowl.