“Not much. Whoever shot him went out the window, scaled down a drain, and then disappeared.” Trentington accepted his drink, his gaze scouting the party.
“Why would anybody want that guy dead?” Dana asked.
Wolfe tightened his hold on her nape.
Trentington took a big gulp. “Albert Nelson had some shady dealings, I’m afraid. I knew he’d broken the law a few times in the past, but when we conducted a background check for membership, he came up clean.” He smiled at Dana. “I can assure you we have plenty of security in place, and that whoever wanted Albert Nelson dead was after him specifically.”
Ah. That explained the guy on the sofa. “The police are here, aren’t they?” Wolfe muttered. No wonder they were having a second party so soon after the murder. “What time is the roundup?” There was one good way to question everyone in a private organization and that was to get them all together in the same place.
“I’ve been promised no roundup.” Trentington switched easily into telling the truth, didn’t he? “They’re cataloging people, license plates, and planning to make contact next week.”
Wolfe sighed. “You handed over the membership documents.”
“They had a subpoena, Wolfe.” Trentington took a big sip.
“So the police will make contact next week, threaten to go public, and get folks to cooperate.” Wolfe would need to make sure Brigid had his cover ID all up to snuff. His name was Zeke Warrington, but Wolfe was his nickname from his hunting days. Or something like that.
“Most folks aren’t ashamed of their BDSM lifestyle,” Trentington murmured. “We’re practically mainstream these days.” He nodded at a stunning redhead in pasties walking his way. “Though you might want to take full advantage of tonight’s party because we may have to take a break until they solve Nelson’s murder.”
Wolfe set the bottle back on the counter. “Good advice. For now, do you have a lounge or somewhere where subs have lockers?” It was standard practice.
Trentington nodded. “Yes. The guest suite on the other side of the living room has been set up with lockers and a quiet place for subs.”
“Good.” Wolfe rubbed Dana’s neck. “Go lose the high heels, sweetheart. I want you barefoot tonight.” So she could run if necessary.
She paused. “Wh—”
He tightened his hold.
Irritation flared in her eyes, but she held her tongue. It was all he could do not to grin. “Now.” He removed the beer from her hand.
She nodded and turned to go through the crowd.
Trentington chuckled. “You’ll have a tough time taming that one.”
Wolfe watched the sway of her curvy ass. “It’s a good thing I don’t want her tamed, then.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dana chose a locker in the gold-gilded bathroom, angling her head to see if the toilet was gold, too. Nope. Regular porcelain. She left her shoes and exited the bathroom, nearly running into a voluptuous brunette struggling with a corset in the ostentatious guest room, complete with mirrors on the ceiling. “Help,” the woman said, partially turning, her mask a sparkling aqua.
“No problem.” Dana swiftly tightened the drawstring at the back. “You were tangled.”
“Got a little busy playing in the upstairs office,” the woman said, turning. “Next I’m hitting the dungeon downstairs. Lilia said there’s a couple of crosses down there. I’m Julie.”
Dana shook her hand. “Dana.” She studied the woman’s sparkling blue eyes as the hard rock thumped through the closed door. “You look familiar, even wearing that stunning mask.”
“I’m an aide with Senator Locombe. We’ve been in the news a lot lately with the new farm bill.” Julie brushed her hair away from her face. “Man, I needed a relaxing time tonight.”
Dana nodded. “Yeah, me too. Sometimes the pressures of work take over, and it’s good to just let go for a bit.”
“Amen, sister. It’s the one place I can just be me without having to make a decision.” She leaned toward Dana. “I saw you with Wolfe. I’ve been trying to catch that guy’s eye for a month. He is such a hottie. I bet he knows how to spank a girl properly.”
Dana choked and then quickly regained control. “Yeah, he’s gifted.” If Wolfe tried with her, she’d break his hand. But she did understand the desire to let go and just relax with somebody else making decisions. “I initially came to hang out with Albert Nelson because my friend knew him, but . . .”
Julie’s eyes widened. “I know. I wasn’t here last time, but I heard all about him being shot and falling right to the ground. Do you know anything about it?”
Dana shook her head and leaned in. “Not really. You?”
