We’d arrived at Carson Flannery’s garden party closer to five than four. I was dressed in an elegant green dress. It wrapped my neck, and left my shoulders and back bare all the way down to just above the curve of my ass. A sexy weaving of thin strips of fabric played peek-a-boo with onlookers, while keeping the back from gaping open. Made of silk charmeuse, it flowed over my body to a couple inches above my knees, giving it a semi-conservative appearance, instantly belied by the slit running up to the top of my thigh. Rhi had finished it off with a pair of stiletto pumps, the heel made of clear acrylic, the rest made of emerald cloth and mesh to match the dress.
I don’t know that I’d ever looked so good. Luke’s eyes had almost bugged out of his head when he saw me, which only made me sad that he wasn’t Damon. When he rested his hand in the small of my back, I didn’t get even the slightest jolt of electricity. With Damon, I’d have been buzzing like a live wire. I set that aside to consider later.
He still hadn’t called or even texted since the one telling me he’d landed. That should have irritated me, but the business with Lindsey made me worry instead. Her warning was so vague—something bad was coming. That could mean almost anything. Her frenetic activities last night had only increased my uneasiness.
I was starting to feel like I was standing blindfolded on the railroad tracks and it was only a matter of time before a train mowed me down. My skin itched with a constant warning, but I had no idea what to do. How did I protect myself from an unknown problem so vaguely defined as...something bad?
“Beck?”
Luke’s voice called me back to the present. We were walking along a stone path, the afternoon sun gleaming through the canopy of leaves shading us.
“What?”
“Are you alright?”
“Just wondering how Lorraine and Jen are doing.” My phone gave off a scroll of musical notes. Stacey. I pulled the cell out of my clutch and answered.
“What’s up?”
“Lydia’s gone.”
“Gone?” I echoed, the foreboding in my stomach twisting tighter. “Where? When?”
“We went shopping and stopped to eat. She got a call and went outside. She never came back. I went to look for her and her car was gone.”
“Where are you?”
“I called an Uber. I’m on my way to the party.”
I nodded. “I’ll have Luke meet you and escort you inside.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Beck. She wouldn’t have just left without telling me. She must have had a good reason.”
“You mean Flannery.”
“I don’t know. I didn’t tell her you were going after the cats at all, much less today. I wanted her to be totally surprised if and when the cops questioned her.” The worry in her voice was palpable. “What if Flannery threatened to hurt the kitties unless she came to see him? By making her take her car, he could claim she came of her own free will.”
“We’re here at Flannery’s party. I’ll look for her.”
“What if he had someone kidnap her? She could be anywhere.” Stacey’s voice pinched off like she was trying not to panic.
“We’ll find her. Let Luke know when you get here.”
After I hung up, I explained the situation to Luke, while texting Jen and Lorraine to keep their eyes open. My glamour had worked exactly as I’d planned. Luke and I had been stopped by security to check our invitation, and Jen and Lorraine had walked in on our heels with no questions asked. They might as well have been invisible.
Once inside, they’d gone in search of the cats, and we’d headed for the pavilion, which was really just an oversized gazebo. Really oversized. A band played off to the side of the central dance floor. On the other side was one of several bars. Seating areas had been situated in shady spots. Water ran along a carefully constructed course, tinkling over small waterfalls and flowing into a fish pond and then out to wind through the vast yard. Flowers bloomed, battling with the scents of food.
The catering was set up on a patio, with tables scattered over the lawn. Clusters of people stood about chatting, and a few danced.
“I hate these things,” Luke said softly as he collected a glass of white wine and a scotch and water from the bar. He handed me the wine glass. “What do you want to do now?”
“Meet Flannery.” I couldn’t help smiling. It wasn’t friendly. I had a plan for Flannery, but to implement it, I needed to touch him. I hadn’t told anybody else my plan, but the asshole had a lifetime of unexpected misery coming.
“He’s over there.” Luke motioned with his chin. “Talking to Gloria Machado.”
“I know her. I’ve sold her some furniture and jewelry before.” I started across the lawn.
Gloria was a force of nature. Somewhere in her seventies, she was vigorous, outspoken, and didn’t take crap from anybody. She dyed her hair scarlet and wore masculine clothing, usually with a vest and tie. She came from one of the oldest families in the state, and had money to burn. Seeing her here didn’t surprise me at all.
