Deadly Dancing

by Nicolette Pierce

I pressed the talk button on my radio. “Curtis and Emmy, Brett is helping us today. He has a radio in case you need him.”

  Emmy glanced over at us from her position at the front door. She gave a small smile and returned to the guests.

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Just smile and help anyone who needs it. Walk the room and be friendly.” I stopped. “Not too friendly.”

  I surveyed the room. Wine and hors d’oeuvres were being served. Excellent timing.

  Mayor Fenwig should be arriving soon. I stepped outside to see if I could spot him. The valets raced as fast as they could to keep up with the arriving guests.

  A black town car pulled up along the front door; its back window was cracked open. I stepped behind a pole to keep myself out of sight. My stomach dropped to my shoes as Mayor Fenwig and his wife stepped out of the car. I shook my head. It couldn’t be them, could it?

  They nodded to a few people, shaking hands as they entered. I’ve never met Fenwig’s wife, but she looked familiar. I must have seen her in the newspaper or on television. The town car pulled away. I discreetly followed them.

  Brett helped a pretty blonde to her seat. An electric zap hit me between the eyes. I tried to tell myself it wasn’t jealousy. He did tell me he doesn’t normally go for my type. Maybe he likes the perky pinks or happy yellows. He looked up to see me staring at him. I gave a small jump, realizing he’d caught me in an unpleasant thought and most likely a jealous glare. A hint of a smile escaped his lips and he lingered with the blonde a little longer. Where’s Mrs. J.’s paintball gun when you need it?

  Emmy called Brett for reinforcement at the front entrance. I searched for Mayor Fenwig and his wife. They were standing with a few other guests, sipping wine. Three fingers worth of wine was poured into each glass. Mrs. Fenwig swallowed it in one gulp and snapped her fingers at the server for more.

  The staff was trained to pour three fingers worth of wine and refill as necessary, but with Mrs. Fenwig drinking, we may just hand her the bottle and toss a straw in it. The server poured another serving of wine. She sneered at him, wanting more. He filled her glass until it reached the rim. After she was satisfied, the server passed by me with a startled expression.

  Karina Fenwig sipped the top off and surveyed the room. She didn’t look like a politician’s wife. I always picture them with a skirt suit and perfectly dull hair. She wore a low-cut, dark-blue dress that glittered in the light. Her hair was coarse and dry from all the over styling and bleaching it took to create full-body blonde waves. Her eyeliner looked like it had been caked on for the past twenty years and never once removed.

  Karina took another sip and found an object of fascination. I followed her eyes to Brett. She licked her lips, checked her makeup in her compact, and wiggled her expensive boobs into place. Karina whispered into her husband’s ear. He smiled and nodded.

  Emmy was right on schedule and turned on the microphone so Fenwig’s aid could introduce the mayor. There was brief applause while Fenwig made his way to the podium and started his speech. The speech was scheduled to last fifteen minutes, but we gave him an extra five minutes since he loves to talk. More to the point, he loves to hear himself talk.

  Karina was on the prowl. She maneuvered over to Brett, catching his eye. He gave her a polite smile and resumed helping Curtis. Karina saddled up next to Brett, placing her arm on his and holding on while whispering into his ear.

  I looked around the room. Did anyone else see this? Am I the only one who sees Fenwig’s wife hitting on Brett? Curtis noticed. His eyebrow arched and he slid me a glance.

  Brett removed his arm from hers. She counter attacked with a flick of her hair and a small laugh. She caught his hand and held it, playing with his fingers while talking to him. Curtis fled the scene.

  “What’s going on?” I asked Curtis.

  “She’s making a serious move on Brett,” he said. “You need to get in there and protect your man.”

  “He’s not my man,” I said. “And even if he was, I want to see how this plays out. I know he’s not interested in her.”

  Curtis arched his brow and turned to the kitchen to make sure lunch was on schedule.

  I watched Brett and Karina for a moment longer. A spark of recollection hit me.

  I remember!

  Karina had done the same thing to Jesse Corbin at a different event. The event wasn’t for Mayor Fenwig, but they were in attendance. At the time, I had figured they were close acquaintances. Karina must have a thing for luring men at events. Could she have anything to do with Jesse’s death?

  Brett gave me a look that begged for help. I gave him a small finger wave and a crooked smile. I’ll make him talk to her. She may tell him something important.

  Crash!

  The mayor took no notice of the heart-stopping sound and continued his speech. I rushed to the kitchen. My blood pressure peaked.

  Please, don’t be the food!

  I plowed through the kitchen door and froze to see the chef standing over Curtis. The chef’s eyes were slits, his mouth curled with disgust. He threw his hands up in the air, cursing at Curtis who was lying in a pile of food and broken dishes.

  I winced and hurried to Curtis. “Are you okay?”

  He nodded but his eyes betrayed that he was mortally embarrassed.

  “Get your people out of here!” Chef bellowed.

  I pulled Curtis up and out of the food and sent him to the back restroom to clean up as best he could. I glanced at Chef but he was in no mood for apologies. I fled the kitchen, retreating out to the floor. I’ve learned the hard way that chefs can be in a good mood before and after events, but never cross them while they’re plating up.

  Karina sat at her table just as Fenwig finished his speech. There was a polite round of applause as he finished and joined his wife at the table.

  Chef must have used all his tricks because a slew of servers walked out of the kitchen carrying plates of food with silver lids on top. It took twenty minutes to serve everyone and refill wine and water glasses.

  I didn’t see Curtis return, so I headed through the lobby to go around back the long way. I wasn’t about to enter the kitchen. I stopped when I saw Brett. His jaw was clenched. Another woman had found her way to him. Only this woman was Jocelyn. I let out an audible sigh. Jocelyn turned around to see me. Brett breathed a little easier with the distraction.

  “Mars, darling!” Jocelyn cooed. “You didn’t tell me you hired Brett,” she said, squeezing Brett’s arm like a rattlesnake.

  “Uh, it was a surprise,” I told her. “I do need him now, though. Curtis had an accident in the kitchen. I need Brett to go into the men’s restroom and make sure he’s okay.”

  “Oh, sure,” Jocelyn said, turning to Brett. “You go ahead. I’ll be right here waiting for you.” She gave him a wink.

  Brett, relieved to be called off the floor, took off at a fast pace.

  “Get me some wine, won’t you?” It wasn’t a question.

  “Sure, why not.”

  When I returned with her wine, I asked, “Do you know Karina?”

  “Fenwig’s wife? Yeah, I’ve come across her before.”

  “Did you know she was seeing Jesse Corbin from Longhorn’s?”

  “Mm-hmm.” Jocelyn acknowledged, sipping her wine. “She met him at an event. She has a thing for younger men. I’ve heard some really kinky rumors floating around about her at Longhorn’s.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know, like sex videos and stuff.”

  “Does her husband know?”

  Jocelyn shrugged, gulping the last of her wine. “I don’t know. I don’t pay too much attention to that stuff.” She casually glanced to see if Brett had returned.

  “It may take him a while. Curtis was a real mess,” I told her. “Why don’t you go home for the day? Brett will be at another event.”

  “Hmm. Maybe I will go home. I don’t want to seem too eager. That always drives a man away,” she said. “But he will be m
ine by the weekend. Make sure he is at every event we have.” Jocelyn tossed her hair back and strutted out.

  I peered into the dining room. The guests were eating and enjoying themselves. The waitstaff was doing an excellent job. Compliments were flying about the food. I wish every event went this smoothly. Even Curtis’s little mishap hadn’t set us back.

  I radioed Emmy to tell her she was on her own and snuck into the women’s restroom. I had to go an hour ago, but there never seems to be a good time. I took an extra moment to look at myself in the mirror before I returned to the floor.

  My hair had gone limp and my lipstick was faded. I tossed my hair upside-down, attempting to get a little volume. I reapplied a touch of lipstick. The redness from the face-cream burn had already calmed down to a slight pink hue.

  As I left the restroom, a hand grabbed me, yanking me into a small cloakroom.

  “You’re in so much trouble,” Brett barked.

  I smiled and gave him the most innocent eyes I could muster.

  “Damn you!” he exclaimed. “I can’t even get mad at you for throwing me to the wolves.”

  “You’re a big, strong man. You can take it,” I said with a pause, “and I wanted to see what Karina wanted from you.”

  “She wanted a whole lot of me that I’m not giving away.”

  “She and Jesse must have been together,” I told him. “I think she is part of this whole mess somehow. I witnessed her do the same thing to Jesse that she did to you. Do you think she’s the Hammer? Jesse died from a sledgehammer. Maybe she used him and disposed of him?”

  “She’s not the Hammer.”

  “How can you know that?”

  “The Hammer only kills women, not men.”

  “Maybe the Hammer wants to diversify and killed men too. And someone is under the impression you have something of his. Do you have whatever it is they are looking for?”

  Brett looked puzzled for a moment. “I do have something. Jesse gave it to me the night he died. That may explain a few things.”

  “What things?”

  “Are you squeamish at all?”

  “Only with bugs and snakes.”

  “I’ll show you when we get home.”

  “Home?”

  Brett smiled. “Yes, home.” He kissed my bottom lip. “I’m your shadow, remember?”

  My pulse raced. I forgot about tonight. Last night was a comfort being in his arms, but tonight . . . I can’t even ponder it without getting flushed.

  He grazed my neck and shoulders with his lips.

  “You taste like vanilla,” he said appreciatively.

  Brett’s nimble fingers worked fast and the cool air-conditioned air seeped into my opened blouse. His warm hand filled the shirt as he expertly found his way, tucking his hand into my bra. I moaned.

  “This is only the beginning. There’s much more to come,” Brett said.

  He backed me into the corner. His eyes ravenously looked down at my open blouse and lacey push-up bra.

  “God, you’re intoxicating,” he growled.

  If I was intoxicating then he was all out inebriating. My knees weakened. Brett lifted me, settling me down on a small cabinet near the back of the room. My skirt rose precariously high to my hips, and he gained closer access. He fitted his body between my thighs. His swift movements caused me to jump, but he held me in place.

  “I don’t think so,” he said into my neck.

  His lips left a trail of heat on my skin as his onslaught of kisses advanced lower. He snapped my bra open. My eyes widened.

  “I need to get back to the floor.”

  “Then tell me to stop,” Brett said.

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. His lips curled into a devilish smile.

  Brett narrowed his gaze onto my freshly exposed breasts. “You’re killing me, Mars,” he said right before he captured my nipple with a graze of his teeth.

  A spark of desire hit me below the belt. I grasped his arms to steady myself as he sucked gently. My head fell back and my fingers dug into his arms. Brett slipped his hands up my thighs and then up to my skirt to raise it even higher, exposing my lace panties that dipped right above the Promised Land. He moaned at the sight.

  “You did that on purpose,” he whispered, biting my earlobe. “You’re trying to drive me insane.”

  I wasn’t, but I was relieved to find him in the same state I was.

  My radio popped off the back of my skirt and fell to the floor.

  “Mars!” Emmy scolded me over the radio. “Your radio was on!”

  Uh-oh! I must have been sitting on the radio button. Curtis and Emmy had heard everything from the last couple of minutes. I flashed an evil eye at Brett. A dreamy little smile formed on his face.

  “What am I going to do? Oh, this is bad . . . really bad.”

  He picked up the radio, “Emmy and Curtis, sorry about the little show. We’ll be out after Mayor Fenwig gives his final speech.”

  Brett turned off both radios and looked over at me. I already had my skirt pulled back down and my bra re-clasped.

  “Don’t you dare,” I warned.

  “Mars, we’ll finish this one way or the other.”

  “I choose the other . . . but later,” I negotiated, trying to button my shirt. I didn’t really choose later, but if it got me out of now, I’d take it.

  Brett pushed my hands away, helping me re-button. He kissed me on the forehead before letting me escape. I quickly peeked in the mirror and ran my fingers through my hair to straighten it out as best I could.

  Dessert had been served, and Fenwig stood up from the table to give his final speech.

  Emmy took me aside. “What was that about?”

  I flushed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Oh, no you don’t! You can’t make out in my ear and then tell me don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I don’t know what’s happening. I just met Brett. Evan and Brett both seem to be on the prowl, and I’ve been trying not to become a hussy in the process. But it’s not working. I’m about ready to attack both of them.”

  “No one is going to accuse you of being a hussy. You haven’t had a guy in a long time. Just think of it as making up for lost time.”

  “Yeah, but why are they both coming after me now?”

  “Maybe you’re letting off pheromones. I read about them.”

  “Do they taste like vanilla?”

  “Vanilla?”

  “Never mind. Let’s get to the front door so we can usher everyone out of here smoothly.”

  We waited at the front door. Brett must be standing behind me. His energy radiated, making my skin erupt in tingles. Emmy looked over at him, giving him a knowing smile.

  “Where is Curtis?” I asked Emmy.

  “He said he would come and help us with the cleanup. He wasn’t about to come out here; he’s a mess.”

  I nodded.

  The black town car pulled in front of the door and idled. I tried to peer inside at the driver, but I couldn’t see anything.

  “Emmy, go tell the driver that Mayor Fenwig will be done with his speech in about five minutes. See if he has a tarantula tattoo on his neck.”

  With a curious expression, Emmy walked over to the town car. I could see her talking to him. She smiled and laughed. Did she just write down her phone number?

  “She looks like she’s doing just fine over there,” Brett said.

  “She’s giving her phone number to the guy who shot at us. It’s most definitely not fine.”

  Brett spun me around. “You didn’t tell me that he’s the one who shot at you.”

  “I didn’t actually see him, but I assume it is. Tarantula-tattoo Man has been driving the man threatening me. Mayor Fenwig drove up in the same kind of car with the back window cracked open exactly like the other one. I have a bad feeling about the driver Emmy is talking to.”

  Emmy bestowed a final smile to the driver and hurried back to us.

  “Well? Does he have a tattoo
?” I asked her.

  “Yes, he does,” she said. “He’s kind of cute in a bad-boy way. We have a date on Saturday.”

  I never considered Emmy as a lover of the bad-boy type, but he’s the real deal on bad boys. This isn’t good.

  “Saturday is the wedding. You’ll be working,” I said

  “I’m a guest too. He’ll be my plus one.”

  Tarantula Man was going to be a plus one? If I wasn’t terrified of him, I might actually be amused by the idea.

  “Just be careful. He’s involved with something that’s even bigger than he is.”

  “He is big, isn’t he?” Emmy giggled. She was off in la-la land.

  I looked at Brett for help. He just shrugged with his hands in his pockets. This was my shadow and protector—not a flicker of worry. Jeez!

  Mayor Fenwig finished his speech and a small round of applause erupted in the dining room. Emmy and I took our places at the door as the guests filtered out.

  “Thank you for coming,” we said, smiling to the departing guests. “Have a wonderful afternoon.”

  Fenwig and his wife followed the guests out.

  “Your speech was marvelous, Mayor,” I said as he left.

  “Thank you,” he said without acknowledging me. He paused for a moment and turned to look at me again. There was a flicker of recognition. He suppressed it, exiting through the door. His wife tucked a piece of paper into Brett’s pocket on the way out.

  “What was that?” I asked out of the corner of my mouth.

  “Her phone number.”

  Emmy and I said good-bye to the last guest, closing the doors behind them.

  “Curtis, you can come out now,” I said into the radio.

  “This will actually be an easy cleanup,” I said to Emmy and Brett. “The conference center has their own staff, so they’ll take care of the dishes, tables, and chairs. We just need to remove anything that doesn’t belong to them.”

  Curtis schlepped into the dining room. This was a man who couldn’t stand a spot on his shoes and here he was covered in sauces, bits of meat, and vegetables. A funny smell came from his direction. I suppressed a laugh.

  Curtis glared at me. “Don’t laugh. I feel so gross I could just die. I’ll have to burn these clothes.”

  “I didn’t laugh,” I said, trying to control myself. “Just go home; there isn’t that much to do anyway. The three of us can take care of it.”