“But you really haven’t seen many of her files on clients, just the stuff she gives dates to view about other clients.”
“True. I don’t know. This Mr. ‘A’ might have been turned over to another female from her list, someone who could act on his list of wants. All I know is, no number and she wrote down his laundry list of desires and the fact she couldn’t handle him.”
Morgan joined Dan in silence for a moment before speaking. “Dan, maybe he was a first candidate for her side venture from legitimate matchmaking. Gino’s doesn’t follow suit?”
“She removed him from her client list. But maybe that means he was switched to a second book of clients, ones doing a different type of business.”
“Going out again tonight?”
“Yep. Last match.”
“Maybe you need to play the interested pay-for-hire Casanova and catch the operation red-handed. Or, see if this date offers something for a fee and make arrangements. Either way, it’s time to tie this one together and get some answers.”
Dan rose from his seat and reassured his boss of his intentions. “I’ll do both approaches. One way or the other Serena Xavier and Second Sight Dating will show their true colors and I’ll be ready to solve this case.”
“Need any kind of backup?”
“No. We’re going to a new dinner theatre show tonight, some downtown group called ‘Entertainer Showcase’. Ever hear of it?”
Steve shrugged. “Can’t say I have. Must be one of those smaller, outta the mainstream groups.”
“I’m heading to the King’s Hotel for this. My date’s a part of this local talent group, I guess and wants to show off her stuff tonight. I can’t imagine this getting out of hand. Christ. One of these dates Serena sets me up on has to be halfway plausible.”
“Keep me posted.” Steve grinned. “At least you’ve been eating out more lately.”
Steve’s smile irritated Dan. “Yeah. But the only enjoyable meal I’ve had was when Serena and I dined alone. The other two have been real acid inducers.”
“Maybe this one will be okay.”
Dan smirked. “I doubt it. But, I survived the dog dinner fiasco, so I’m ready for anything.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I’m Detective Carrington and this is my partner, Detective Fitzgerald. We’re canvassing the area for information on recent reports of thefts in the area. Can we speak to you for a few minutes?”
Both detectives flashed their badges and had used a police car to add credibility to their request. Their plan was to start with the LaRosas and then question a few more people in the neighborhood to avoid suspicion.
Thomas and Maria LaRosa welcomed the men into their home and offered coffee. Dan felt a tinge of guilt at the ruse being played, but getting information was vital to his case.
The home’s interior boasted modest furnishings, not ornate and expensive stuff Dan would have expected from one of Napoli’s henchmen. The mantle held family photos, one displaying Annemarie’s apparent college graduation.
After Dan discussed crimes in the neighborhood and gave vague information about suspected thefts as not to alarm the couple unnecessarily, he turned the topic of discussion to keeping families safe and inquired about the LaRosas.
Maria was more than happy to show off her children and grandchildren. She mentioned all the names, stating that Annemarie, her youngest, had recently gotten engaged.
Totally confused, Dan processed the information. Annemarie. Engaged. Was “Gino” the fiancé? That would leave Serena as…what? He squashed the urge to ask Annemarie’s future husband’s name, figuring that would seem odd.
After thanking the LaRosas for their time, the men left with more unanswered questions than Dan had hoped for. Puzzle pieces in the mystery of Serena’s business fit and didn’t fit. The LaRosas couldn’t be involved with Napoli’s mob. Tom worked at Sprint and Maria just retired from twenty years as a teacher. Not mob material or the type of people that hung around Napoli.
Shit. Back to square one.
* * * * *
Serena, her date/brother, Michael, Dan and his date, had agreed to meet at the front entrance of the well-known hotel’s banquet hall. As soon as they were a foursome, Justine whipped out character cards for everyone.
“What’s this?” Dan glanced at Miss “X” and then aimed his question in Justine’s direction as she handed him an index card with the name Clive emblazoned on the front.
“This will be so exciting.” The woman actually sparkled with enthusiasm, a huge smile plastered on her face. “I arranged it so that all of us take part in our murder mystery play tonight. Mr. ‘Four-eighteen’, you’ll be known as Clive. I’m Rosalia, Miss Sight, you’re Jezebel and Mr. ‘Eight’, you’ll be Percy.”
Striving to appear as surprised at the card-playing roles as Dan and Michael would be, Serena lowered her head immediately and studied the words written on the card handed to her. She dared not so much as glance at the faces of the two men she’d dragged along to dinner, unaware of the evening’s acting obligations. Convinced both Dan and Michael would have looks of murder on their faces staring in her direction, she opted for the coward’s way out.
Jezebel. Wonderful. Serena focused on her information card. She would play the flirtatious wife of Michael/Percy, striving for male attention in the room while employing all her seductive charms. The card instructed her to wiggle her hips when moving around, smile brightly and wink at the men.
In particular, she was to seek out Dan/Clive’s attention, a longtime lover for whom she harbored a jealous obsession.
Justine, AKA Rosalia, sprinted off after informing them she needed to help greet guests in her playacting part. “And,” she’d instructed, “head over to the coat check area. The wardrobe staff will help you with your costumes.” She then giggled and suggested they try out their roles at the table and then mingle.
Serena managed to raise her eyes level with her brother’s, only to view the amused look on his face before he spoke.
“Costumes? You never mentioned playacting, but, what the heck. I’m game. So, I’m to be your husband and it says here while you flirt around, I get to sneak away with the main hostess of our dinner, a widow named Mrs. Worthington.” Michael read his card to the others.
Serena decided to chime in with her instructions to motivate the men and keep up the levity of their trapped need to perform. “I guess we’ll have a few props to wear so we stand out from the other diners.
“As for me—Jezebel—I’ll have to chase all the men but concentrate on you, Dan…I mean, Clive. Seems we have a history together and I can’t take no for an answer. We need to end up behind the palm plants over there after our appetizers but before salads are served.”
Dan’s face showed no emotion either way about the costume necessity or involuntary push into the acting area. He could be furious or fascinated, but Serena couldn’t tell.
In a calm, monotone voice he informed them, “Clive desperately loves Jezebel but gambles and needs money so he’s after wealthy Mrs. Worthington. He’s a charmer who also chases and seduces his ex-wife, Rosalia.”
Serena threw caution to the wind and ventured to say, “I guess this will be fun. We each get to pretend to be someone else and maybe act out some hidden alter egos.”
Michael looked around the room and then suggested they return to the foyer where the coat check was located. The threesome maneuvered their way through the other guests and greeted the costume supplier, Susan.
She handed both men jackets with outlandish colors and patterns, guaranteed to be attention getters. Serena tried in vain to stifle the laughter building inside her, but finally lost the battle for control.
“You two won’t be hard to lose in a crowd.” She hoped they’d see the humor in their apparel.
Dan smirked but removed his conservative, dark blue blazer and replaced it with a pastel-colored plaid jacket. To top off his outfit, he was handed a walking stick and sailor-worthy captain’s hat.
Serena placed her hand on his arm. “Please. Put the stuff on. For me?” She hoped she sounded desperate enough to coerce her brother to forget his sense of style.
Michael shrugged off his jacket and whispered to Serena, “You owe me big-time for this.”
Now dressed as Clive, Dan glanced at Michael and gave Serena a bewildered look before speaking. “I’m off to chat with Rosalia, seeing as the whole purpose of our dinner was supposed to be my getting to know her.
“As my ex-wife, another female I can’t seem to get enough of, we’ve got to get together for a chat. I’m about to attempt charming her out of bickering over back alimony payments before appetizers appear. Excuse me.” He pivoted and walked away.
“I guess he doesn’t want to practice at our table,” Michael offered as he rubbed his mustache in place.
Susan interrupted their conversation. “Here’s your dress. You can change in back.” She pointed to a doorway behind the check area.
Serena took the sequined, feathery red dress and wondered if it would fit. It was made from some type of stretchy material, but looked like it would cling and fit like a glove.
In the back room, she removed her functional little black dress and wiggled her way into Jezebel’s attire for the night.
Serena twisted and turned in front of a door-length mirror to give herself a full view of the dress. She pulled up and down repeatedly, trying to stretch out the material to cover more of her body. Nothing helped. It would remain low-cut to emphasize her top and very short showing off a major portion of her legs. “Great. All I need is a street corner and I’m all set for a new career as a hooker.”
The dress accentuated every curve of her body, making her extremely self-conscious. The guys had it easy. Pastel colors were nothing compared to clingy, miniscule, fire-engine red.
“Oh,” exclaimed Susan, “I forgot the bow for your hair.” She placed the headband with bow attached on Serena’s head.
Anxiety and embarrassment turned Serena’s body to mush. Could she hide in the coat area all night? Would anyone miss the lady in a slinky red dress, seductress of all male diners?
Michael wolf-whistled as she exited the room. “Man. I’ll have to forget you’re my little sister and try not to protect you. Got to keep in mind you’re my ex for the evening and watch you wiggle your way around the room.” He ended his statements with loud laughter.
Serena gritted her teeth and felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Enough already. Remember, we have a job to do here. C’mon…follow me to our table.”
Serena smiled and tried to ignore the guffaws and stares as she made her way to their table. She would definitely have to kill Justine first chance she got. No wonder the woman wanted her dress size. However, she wondered if Justine had ordered her dress a size or two smaller than required.
Serena and Michael found their table for four but were missing the other two people who were both off and mingling with other guests. All around them, laughter permeated the room, none of it coming from her table.
She eyed her brother. He’d stopped laughing at her.
“As fetching as you look, I believe some of the stares aimed in our direction are focused on me. Men in pink probably attract attention.”
She shook her head in resignation and decided to allow the night to progress. “Let’s look at the bright side. This might be fun. You missed the whole doggy dinner night. I’m hoping this is actually a step up in disaster dating scenarios.”
Michael smirked and said, “Once I get over the pink thing, I’ll probably be fascinated by all this.” He shrugged. “Solving murder mysteries is a full-time job for me anyway. How much worse could this get?”
“What do you think? Does Dan seem worried about any of this? Maybe angry at the clothes? Not having more time with Rosa—I mean, Justine?” Serena asked.
“Hard to tell, although he did try to follow her whereabouts and appeared eager to find her.”
“Where is she? I lost track of her after she waltzed away from us.”
Michael pointed to a location near the main entrance. “She’s over there…lady in the banana yellow dress and fruity hat…with Dan and I can only guess the other woman’s my mistress. I’ll head over to join them. Clive’s supposed to be trying to move in on Mrs. Worthington so I should keep tabs on him and invite myself into his conversation.”
He twisted his mustache and sighed. “I hope I get the hang of this thing. Never had one and it’s itchy. Anyway, dear loving wife of mine, I have to leave your side so you have time to flirt around the room.”
Serena rolled her eyes up to the heavens and inhaled deeply before letting out a calming breath of air. “Yeah, right. Something I’m normally an expert in.” She aimed what she hoped was a serious glare at her brother.
“Hey. Strut you stuff, sis.”
“Let’s concentrate on Dan, okay? I think he’s aiming to try out his charm on Justine. When I called to suggest he arrive ten minutes early, I let it slip that she would be real happy tonight since she just sold stock certificates from a diamond mine. I figured that’ll catch his interest.”
Michael pulled his head back in surprise, then bellowed with laughter. “Diamond mine? Are you serious? You couldn’t come up with something better? Oh, Serena. You watch way too many TV shows.”
“Shhh. Do you want everyone to hear you?”
“Tell me you really didn’t say that.” Laughter again exploded from his mouth.
Annoyed, Serena offered as an explanation, “Hey, I just said it at the spur of the moment. He never questioned what I said. Just replied he’d be sure to congratulate her. See? I planted a seed of interest.”
“More like a germ of a complication. Fine. You do whatever you need to do. I’ll get over there to hear what he says to Justine. Then I’ll follow him over to Mrs. W.”, Michael winked, “since I’ve got the hots for her.”
“Hang on. I’m coming with you. I’m your loving wife, remember? I’ve got some prowling to do and Dan’s my main target. Looks like both of us should head in the same direction.”
As they approached Dan and Justine, Serena did a double take. She thought she recognized three people sitting near a piano. Squinting for a better view, she realized Annemarie and her parents were there to witness the Xavier siblings’ performances.
“Ow! What are you doing?” Michael rubbed his arm, the one Serena had just pinched and gave her an inquisitive look.
“Did you invite Annemarie and her parents? This could get complicated if they try to talk to us and Dan gets nosy.”
“Calm down. Yikes. If I’d known you’d go ballistic, I’d never have asked them to come.”
Serena gritted her teeth and quipped, “They can’t let on that they know us, Michael.”
Her brother leveled a no-nonsense glare at her. “Stop worrying. I planned to meet them after dinner. Annemarie explained that I’m here to help you with your clients so they won’t interfere. I didn’t figure we’d get a chance to talk to them, but now that we’re part of the show, I plan to head over there later and talk.” He lifted his shoulders. “Don’t see why not. We’re supposed to mingle.”
Serena glared right back at her brother but decided to relax. He was right. What harm could talking to the LaRosas do? Speaking to other dinner guests wouldn’t jeopardize their watching Dan. How could it?
Serena gave her brother a “move along” signal and made a beeline to where Dan and Justine were standing, just in time to catch part of their conversation. Dan had remarked, “Rich women are better suited to my tastes.” Justine laughed and stroked his cheek with one long fingernail, responding, “I’d pay very well.”
So, was he attempting to sweet-talk his ex-wife, Rosalia? Or, seduce the newly wealthy Justine? She wasn’t his type at all. Their interests didn’t jive, he was
to the right where she was off to the left. Music, likes, appearances, all screamed these two wouldn’t work as a couple.
But, here they stood, eyeing each other, oblivious to all others around them. Justine wasn’t good enough for her Dan.
Whoa. What the hell is wrong with me? My Dan? When did jealousy enter the picture? Idiot. Keep focused on Dan, the possible con artist who’s after your unsuspecting clients.
“You didn’t wiggle on your way over here.” Justine whispered her comment in Serena’s ear.
Trying to sound enthused, she replied, “Oh. Guess I forgot. I’ll keep that part of my character in mind.”
“So,” purred Justine to the newly arrived twosome as she latched onto Dan’s arm, “I was just telling Clive how I’d love to run off with him, away from the crowd.”
Dan grinned. “Now, you know we need to stay put for the time being. I’ve got people to see, but I’ll gravitate back to you later.” He turned and winked at Serena.
Playacting? Was that Dan or Clive speaking?
Serena decided to start her performance and grabbed Dan’s other arm to pull him toward her. “Clive, dear. You promised me a walk by the palm plants.”
Dan removed his instruction card, scanning it while everyone watched. He returned it to his pocket. “Sorry. It’s not time yet.” He removed her hand from its position on his arm and gave a lovesick puppy-dog look toward Justine. “We need to talk some more, don’t we, Rosalia? You know, honey bunch, maybe you really should consider paying me. I can be real good for you.”
Insides ready to explode, Serena had no chance to open her mouth and lambaste Dan before Michael pulled her away. Fuming, she gave her brother what she hoped translated as a look to kill.
“What are you doing?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“You were about to spoil everything. He could be a good improvisational actor playing up his part to Rosalia, or baiting Justine, the now rich diamond mine seller.” Another series of laughs flowed from his mouth.
“Where are we going, husband Percy?”
As he escorted Serena to an area to their left, Michael nodded his head toward the outrageously dressed matron, now standing by a piano. Her long orange chiffon dress resembled something from a movie made in the 1930s and the assorted feathers sticking out of her hair drew Serena’s eyes upward.
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