Skin

by Patricia Rosemoor

  Jaw tightening slightly, Lilith glanced around like someone might be interested. “Keep it down, or you’ll blow your cover.”

  He burned her with his gaze. “Going to a costume party?”

  “Right here. What’s it to you?” She tried shrugging him off. “I can take care of myself.”

  She was afraid – he could smell fear a mile away – and therefore defensive. He took a slug of his drink and slapped the glass down on the bar.

  “Oh, yeah, you’re some kinda expert.” He knew about her self-defense classes. She’d been pulled out of one by a uniform. “You practice your moves, play at being mean, pat yourself on the back that you know how to defend yourself. But you ever work the streets? Ever put your life on the line for someone else? Ever look an offender in the eye and go for his cajones for real?” Seeing her swallow hard, he laughed humorlessly. “Didn’t think so. Listen, angel, leave this investigation to the pros.”

  “Do something to impress me and maybe I will.”

  “You think we can’t do our job?” he snapped, his irritation with her arrogance growing.

  “Or don’t want to. My sister was only a low-class woman, right? One you wouldn’t find on the society pages.”

  “You got a lot of nerve–”

  ”Hannah wasn’t the first woman the bastard took!” she interrupted in an angry whisper. “You should have caught him before he got to Hannah.”

  Her fist smacked down on the bar for emphasis. The jolt up her arm made the chain she was wearing dance, and a jagged piece of gold popped free of the vest. His gaze lit on half of a broken heart.

  “What if I can’t get to him before he gets to you?” he asked slowly. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

  Damn if she wasn’t the spitting image of the latest victim he knew was her sister. Very deliberately, he leaned closer and in a low, threatening voice, spelled it out for her.

  “Looking like you do now... how many murderers can savor plotting the same woman’s death twice?”

  oOo

  NOT HAVING THOUGHT as far as her own possible death, Lilith couldn’t stop the chills from creeping down her spine or keep her heart from pounding. That wouldn’t happen to her, she told herself. Or Hannah. She was going to find her sister before the killer ended her, no matter what Detective Gabriel O’Malley thought. She’d recognized him the instant she’d seen him. He’d been in the Area Office, and before that, she’d seen him here the first time she’d stepped foot in the club. He was the man who’d stopped that guy with a knife.

  Damn him for trying to frighten her.

  Caresse, too, she thought, looking around, trying to spot evil on the hoof.

  Indeed, the killer might be right in front of her, the reason she was here. Any fraternizing would be to nail him.

  She returned her attention to Gabe, who seemed more relaxed now. As he swigged down the rest of his drink, Lilith wondered how best to handle him. Probably shouldn’t have been critical, definitely shouldn’t have lost her temper if she wanted him to cooperate.

  She took a sip of her sparkling water as a voluptuous blond dancer wearing a see-through negligee over a satin and lace teddy sauntered over to the bar and cozied up to O’Malley, who immediately turned his rapt attention to the dancer.

  But Lilith felt as if someone was focused on the back of her neck.

  She turned to see Michael, again the lone occupant of a table to the rear. He was talking to a waitress – had her rapt attention – but he was staring at her as if he was shocked at her transformation.

  She quickly glanced away and delivered the drinks to a man who was cover-model handsome, with blond-streaked hair and a deep tan. He wore an expensive suit and silk tie as did his companion, a little dark man with eyes that roved from girl to girl around the room as if he couldn’t get enough of them.

  “Here you go. That’ll be thirty dollars.”

  The blond man handed her a fifty. “Keep the change and check back on us in a while, would you?”

  “Sure thing. And thanks.”

  Lilith found most customers to be generous with tips. Twice she’d had to deter guys who wanted more for their money than drinks, but both times, they took her cheerful rebuke with good humor.

  All night she was aware of Michael watching her. He didn’t try to approach her this time, didn’t wave her over to his table. He simply kept his intense gaze glued to her until she was unnerved.

  By the time she made up her mind to approach him, he was gone.

  oOo

  DEPENDING ON HER LEAVING the back way, Michael waited in the alley for Lilith. He thought he’d been seeing things when she’d returned looking like Anna. When Lilith finally left the building, she walked quickly toward the street until he stepped out of the shadows.

  Immediately alert, she stopped and faced him, taking a defensive stance, almost like a fighter. “What the hell’s wrong with you, Michael, trying to give a girl a heart attack?”

  “Sorry if I startled you.” Not that he was trying to be threatening. Thumbs hooked in his jeans pockets, he kept his distance, only his gaze penetrating her space. This was the Lilith he’d obviously misjudged. “Can I take you for coffee?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “So what do I need to do to get your attention?”

  Warily keeping him in her line of vision, she relaxed her fighter’s stance and made for the street without answering.

  Michael walked with her, still keeping his distance. “Money?” he probed.

  She flashed him a surprised expression. “You don’t look like the type who has to pay for a woman’s company.”

  “To talk. I’ll pay you to talk to me–”

  “Look, I’m not that kind of working girl, okay?”

  “– on camera,” he finished.

  Her brows shot up. “Some people would say you’re a pervert.”

  “I’m being straight with you. I make documentaries. Honest. You don’t believe me, go ask the bartender. Joe can vouch for me.”

  “Right, as if I could trust a bartender’s word. He would probably vouch for any customer for a big enough tip.”

  Hitting the street, she walked faster, dodging a drunk and a couple of teenaged boys, who gave her appreciative wolf whistles.

  Michael kept in stride and kept at her. “You’re a real puzzle, Lilith. Solving puzzles is a hobby of mine.”

  She stopped next to the bus stop sign and glanced down the street. Empty. Her hand went to her neck. “You don’t really want to know me.”

  “Sure I do.” His gaze settled on her fingers playing with her chain like worry beads. “I want to understand why you decided to work at the club.”

  That seemed to get her full attention. “Maybe I have no choice.”

  That was a lie. “We all have choices.” She certainly was uptight, and he guessed he didn’t blame her. “I want to know about yours. You surprised me, and I’m not easily surprised.”

  “Maybe I don’t like the idea of your being in my skin.”

  “Maybe you’re afraid.”

  Lilith gave him a contemptuous look. “I am not afraid.”

  “And don’t want to admit it.”

  She repeated herself, staring at him hard and stressing the words. “I am not afraid.”

  “So you hide it under the tough act.”

  She practically shouted, “I am not afraid!”

  Michael fell silent, and Lilith stared him down. She was tougher than he’d first thought. Now she really interested him.

  “So if you’re not afraid, you’ll talk to me?”

  He followed her gaze to where it settled on the other side of the street. Another dancer from the club sat in a window booth of the corner all-night restaurant. The one named Caresse. She was watching them through the plate glass. Lilith suddenly darted into the street, dodging traffic to get across.

  “I’ll check in with you tomorrow night, see if you have a change of heart!” he called after her, then stood there, smiling to himself.r />
  Unlike the other women who worked the club, Lilith seemed both vulnerable and tough. And he sensed he got to her as much as she got to him.

  Suddenly his time spent at the club became more interesting.

  oOo

  HER SUSPICIONS FLYING HIGH, Lilith entered the greasy spoon, staring out at the street through the plate-glass window. Michael stood there for a moment – she could still feel his gaze on her – then waved and walked off. But now that she was inside...

  Inside was narrow with a long counter and stools and booths along the windows. She approached Caresse, who was eating a middle-of-the-night breakfast.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “Sit.”

  Lilith slipped onto the opposite bench and scooted over some more. She checked out the window. No Michael. He’d vanished. She felt that odd pressure lift from her chest.

  Caresse dropped her fork. “I’m glad you took my advice about not getting cozy with the customers.”

  When the waitress appeared with a menu, Lilith said, “Just tea.” Then asked the other dancer, “What do you know about this Michael Wyndham?”

  Caresse shrugged. “That he usually keeps to himself.”

  “So he’s a regular.” Which made him a possible suspect. She figured she’d have to suspect anyone who was around the club a lot and also seemed overly interested in her. “He wants to get inside my head.”

  Caresse raised her eyebrows. “Child, you sure that’s all he wants to get into?”

  “He offered to pay me to talk to his camera.”

  A silent Caresse stared down at her congealing eggs.

  “Did he ever make the offer to anyone else?” Lilith asked.

  “Couldn’t say. I haven’t been at the club long. Why do you care?”

  “I want to know what I’m getting myself into.”

  “Be smart. Don’t get yourself into nothing.”

  The waitress interrupted, placing a cup of coffee in front of Lilith, who thanked her. She began swirling the dark liquid with a spoon.

  “You listen to me, child,” Caresse said. “You gotta look out for yourself.”

  “You know something bad about Michael Wyndham?”

  “I know none of these jokers care spit for us girls, starting with Sal.” She uttered the manager’s name like a warning. “They’re users is all. When they’re done with their fun and games, we’re disposable. Maybe permanently.”

  At the reminder, Lilith turned inward and so didn’t at once realize Caresse was staring at her throat. At the heart-half now lying against the top of the dress. Their eyes met.

  “Where’d you get that necklace?” Caresse asked, her voice soft. “Anna always wore it when she wasn’t dancing. Said it had sentimental value.”

  Lilith’s hand shot to her throat. Her mouth opened and closed, but she was so startled, she couldn’t think. Caresse was staring, waiting.

  Finally Lilith blurted, “I found it in the back of a drawer in the dressing room. She must have left it there.”

  Certain the lie was written on her face, she was relieved Caresse didn’t challenge her.

  She could only hope the man who was holding her sister would.

  oOo

  LILITH MITCHELL was going to be a challenge worthy of him. More of a challenge than the one who called herself Anna Youngheart, though surprisingly, his current catch wasn’t like the others. She didn’t beg or whine for mercy.

  Neither would Lilith.

  How to set the right trap for her?

  It was obvious she wanted him to, or why else would she have taken a job at the club if not to haunt him? He could be very accommodating. He would give her what she wanted and so much more.

  Before Lilith was put to the ultimate test, he would have to do something about her confidence. He hated women who thought they could best him. One woman who had that power was enough. He’d learned how to deal with the others. It was kind of like a game of chess – knowing the right moves to make.

  A little warped game playing would go a long way toward undermining Lilith’s confidence.

  He was just the man to do it.

  oOo

  Chapter 9

  NAKED, HANNAH runs through the woods. Runs for her life.

  Wearing a hunting vest and cap pulled low, the killer follows. He carries a rifle, and a hunting knife is tucked into a belt. He hesitates a second and listens to thrashing sounds somewhere ahead.

  Hannah trips and goes down to her knees, sobbing.

  The killer checks for tracks, for broken branches in the bushes.

  Hannah flies to her feet and plunges forward through a copse of trees.

  The killer follows.

  Running as fast as she can, Hannah takes a panicked look behind her. Her shoulder whacks a maple tree and she cries out in pain. Fear wells up in her, threatening to choke her.

  The gap is closing – she knows the killer has no mercy. She stumbles again, turns to find her pursuer behind her, rifle pointed at her.

  “Please, don’t! I’ll do anything, be anything you want. Please!”

  The man in the hunting jacket raises the rifle.

  Hannah can’t move. “I am a person! I am not an animal!”

  She cries out when the rifle barrel explodes.

  Lilith whipped up in bed, her body trembling, her breath choked in her throat. A dream. It was only a dream.

  Hannah was alive She had to be.

  Turning on the nightstand lamp, Lilith slid her hand to the heart-half nestled in the hollow there and thought about their explosive argument before her sister had disappeared.

  “Hang on, Hannah. I haven’t abandoned you this time.”

  oOo

  LILITH HAD BARELY started work that evening when she felt a hot breath trail along the back of her neck. Shivering, she flipped around to find a tall, lanky man with a pockmarked face grinning down at her. He was wearing tight black leather pants and a black silk shirt. A thick gold chain hung from his scrawny neck.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  He laughed. “I’m not a customer, honey. Rudy Barnes, the club’s deejay.”

  His pale blue eyes gleamed strangely as he stared down at her. She imagined him licking his chops.

  “Waitress,” she said. “Lilith.”

  “How about we get together after the club closes? I can show you the ropes around here.”

  Lilith had the definite impression that ropes weren’t all he wanted to show her.

  “I’m good,” she said, keeping it light, “but thanks.”

  “You change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  He pointed to the booth and backed off toward it, giving her a wink like he thought he was hot stuff.

  “Stay away from that one,” a redheaded waitress named Allie said.

  “Bad news?”

  “Pervert.”

  “You’ve had personal experience?” Lilith asked.

  “Not me. He’s not into redheads. But I’ve heard the tales from a couple other girls.”

  “Thanks for the tip.”

  “No problem.” Allie picked up her drinks and headed for a table.

  Gazing around the room, Lilith saw a few faces she already recognized – regulars, she supposed – but no Michael. So why did she feel disappointed? He unnerved her, so she should be glad he wasn’t there.

  Gabe wasn’t around, either, which made her wonder if he was off the case. But halfway through the night, he was at his usual place at the bar.

  She was about to check in with him when the dancer named Irene stopped her and handed her a folded piece of paper.

  “From an admirer.”

  “Thanks. I think,” she murmured.

  Lilith quickly opened and scanned the note. I request the pleasure of your company at my table for a drink.

  “Paul Ensdorf?” She gave the other dancer a questioning look.

  The blonde pointed to a nearby table whose occupant avidly watched for Lilith’s reaction. She remembered the fir
st time she’d been at the club, he’d tripped a stripper and then had put his hands all over her to help her up.

  “Um, I’m supposed to be selling drinks.”

  “Get him to buy a bottle of champagne, and Sal won’t care what you do with him. The idea is to bring in money, honey.”

  Lilith grabbed the martinis Joe pushed at her. She served the drinks, then, taking a deep breath, she headed for her new admirer.

  Already standing, Paul Ensdorf was a bit shorter than she was in her heels. Not that it seemed to bother him. He was all boyish smiles to go with the sandy hair, a lock of which fell onto his forehead. And, like a true gentleman, he held out a chair for her and said, “I’m delighted you could join me.”

  Lilith remained standing. “I can only stay for a moment. My job is to serve drinks.”

  He sat. “What if I bought a bottle of champagne?”

  “Well, if you’re planning on buying a bottle, the least I can do is share a toast.”

  “Then a bottle it is.”

  Nodding, she headed back to the bar, noting that Michael had finally shown up. His smile made her stomach tighten. She steeled herself against the attraction. She needed to focus on one thing only. Figuring out who had her sister.

  So when Michael started talking to one of the dancers, reached in a pocket and handed her what looked like a business card, why did that bother her?

  By the time she got to the bar, Joe was already setting out a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

  “Uh, how did you know?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “It’s for Ensdorf.”

  “So he’s here a lot?”

  Joe laughed. “Nearly every night his sister Melinda works.”

  He indicated the dark-haired dancer on stage, nude but for a g-string, thigh high stockings, elbow-length gloves and a tattoo of big red lips in the middle of her right butt cheek. Her brother was fixated on her, his expression tight. Lilith watched Melinda walk right over to Paul and shake her naked breasts in his face. Then, seeming satisfied that he was near apoplectic, Melinda strutted away from him as her music segued to that of the next dancer.

  When Lilith got back to the table, Paul was still flushed. He pulled out two hundred dollar bills to pay her and refused to take change. Then he insisted she sit with him for that toast.