I gave him a look.
“It aches a little, but it’s fine.”
“Any sign of Dean?”
“Nothing yet.” His fingers traced my bracelet. “Here.” He reached into his pocket and opened his palm. I saw the tiny earpiece resting on it. “The security team will keep us informed if they see him.”
I discreetly slipped it into my ear.
He slid his arm through mine. “We should mingle.”
Ahead, Chance was holding court with a group of important-looking people. I noted Bastian gave them a wide berth.
“Thorne.”
We both turned at the deep voice to find a couple behind us.
I took in the man first. His broad shoulders filled out his tuxedo jacket. It wasn’t custom like Bastian’s, but he still looked good in it. He was tall, with a watchful gaze, and brown hair threaded with some gold. I pegged him as a cop.
The woman with him was tall and athletic. Her dress was silver and short, showing off her toned arms and legs. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail, and her features were bold and attractive. I realized that one of her eyes was prosthetic, but it moved perfectly with her other eye. She wasn’t a cop, but she was something. Military, maybe.
“Detective MacKade.” Bastian held out a hand and the men shook.
“I don’t believe you’ve met my wife, Blair.”
“Blair, it’s a pleasure.” Bastian shook the woman’s hand.
“Nice place.” She glanced at Chance nearby, then back at Bastian. “I like your…I mean, Tyler’s casino.”
Bastian just smiled. “I’m glad you could attend the opening of the show tonight.” He looked down at me. “This is Lark Smith. Detective MacKade is a homicide detective with the LVMPD. We’ve crossed paths a few times during his investigations.”
I nodded. “Hello.” I noticed the detective’s wife watching me with narrowed eyes.
“What do you do, Lark?” Blair asked.
I had an endless supply of background stories to choose from. For some reason, I picked an entirely new one. “I’m an artist. I like to draw.”
Blair made a polite sound that told me she wasn’t buying it for a second.
“And you?”
“I bake. Cupcakes.”
That was the biggest lie I’d ever heard. We both smiled at each other.
“Thorne, there was a body found in the Blade,” Detective MacKade said. “A male, who it turns out, was responsible for the rape and murder of some sex workers.”
“That’s terrible,” Bastian said. “I’m guessing he won’t be missed.”
The detective grunted. “There were reports of a man in the area at the time. In a suit. He matched your description.”
Bastian smiled. “I imagine there are hundreds of dark-haired men wearing suits in Las Vegas. Why would I be in the Blade?”
“A good question. Apparently, he was in the company of a short woman with dark hair.” MacKade’s gaze shifted to me.
I let my eyes go huge. “You mean me? Oh, boy, are we suspects? I’ve never been a suspect before.” I looked at Bastian and saw his gaze dancing. “This is exciting.” I turned back to the detective. “I could never harm a fly, I swear.”
The man’s wife made a sound.
