If things go south, this will be the one small piece of evidence that might lead the authorities to Her Majesty.
Only a few days pass before I get my chance. It’s Valentine’s Day, one of Aces Underground’s biggest nights. Nearly everyone who is a member shows up and brings a guest. Some of the higher-up patrons can bring more than one guest. I’ve dyed my eyebrows in a vivid shade of pink and am wearing a pinstriped suit in a matching color.
The Black Door opens and in walks my angel along with her gentleman escort.
I raise my eyebrows as they make their entrance. “Ah, Miss Wonder. I was hoping we’d see you again soon.”
She smiles a touch too quickly. “Can’t get rid of us that easily, Chet.”
We talk a few minutes more, I drop a few Shakespeare quotes—completely lost on them, regrettably—and they descend into the club’s bowels.
They’re acting normal.
Perhaps I have nothing to worry about at all.
My hackles are raised again. Mr. Hathaway and Miss Wonder left the club very abruptly. Mr. Hathaway said they were going to get a breath of fresh air, but they haven’t returned.
They were preceded in their departure by the King of Diamonds—the real King of Diamonds, not Mr. Hathaway’s new title—who also looked to be in a hurry.
So much seems to go on here.
Do I really know it all?
I slept nary a wink last night. I barely had enough energy before coming to the club tonight to wash the pink dye out of my eyebrows.
Nothing has happened, at least as far as I know.
Perhaps the King of Diamonds killed them.
That would make things a bit easier.
The Black Door swings open, and—can it be?
My two favorite patrons.
I twist my lips into my trademark grin. “Mr. Hathaway. Miss Wonder. We were wondering where you ended up last night.”
Miss Wonder wrinkles her forehead. “What do you mean?”
I tent my fingers. “You left rather early in the evening. You said you’d be right back, that you were just getting a breath of fresh air.” I raise an eyebrow, keeping my voice steady. “You never returned.”
“Plans change.” Mr. Hathaway hands me his driver’s license. “Alissa will be my guest tonight.”
“Of course. Wouldn’t expect anything to the contrary.” I leer at my angel. “It would appear you’ve truly captured Mr. Hathaway’s attention, Miss Wonder.”
She swallows. “I suppose I have.”
As I look over Mr. Hathaway’s ID, he rakes his eyes over me, the wrinkles in his forehead deepening. Finally he speaks.
“Chet, what’s your middle name?”
Ah, so they have figured it out! But best to play it coy, lest Her Majesty finds out I’m involved. “That’s a bit of a personal question, Mr. Hathaway. Whyever would you be asking?”
“I think you know why,” he says.
Miss Wonder grabs Mr. Hathaway’s arm. “What does this have to do with anything?”
“Just answer the damned question, Chet.”
