“He always looks like that,” Kathleen dismissed, sidling in front of the bouncer to better hide Andrew. “I’m not allowed to have an entourage? Arty gets so surly without company.”
Isaac winced.
“I suppose… but Tony and Sandra got Willow’s door. They might not be as friendly.”
Kathleen tapped her fingers on the bouncer’s chest. “I can make anyone friendly. You better still be here when I get back.”
He let her through, all softness for Kathleen, but his hardness returned when Isaac and Andrew moved past him.
Isaac merely smiled and kept moving.
“Now will you fess up to being Artifice?” Andrew whispered once they were inside. “Or should I also start calling you Arty?”
“Nicknames can come from so many things.”
“I can come up with my own then. How about… Ike?”
“Don’t you dare.”
“Aww,” Andrew giggled, “but Ike’s kind of cute.”
“So are you, honey,” Kathleen fake whispered back at them, “but you need to work on your subterfuge. Anyone with eyes can tell you two are banging.”
That shut Andrew up, which was just as well in this crowd, not that Isaac liked Kathleen realizing the truth as easily as Luke had.
He hadn’t been in this particular den of thieves since his arrest, but the scene was the same. Loud music, revelers and drinks being passed around, half like an underground club andhalf for business, because with the smattering of gambling going on, there were also whispered deals being made, and many faces in corners that Andrew had probably seen on wanted posters.
The detective look was all over him again, like he was taut to spring into action.
“Pick your battles,” Isaac said more hushed. “You're not on the PD’s payroll anymore.”
Andrew scowled but steeled himself with a nod.
They continued through the throng of people. Most ignored them, though there were a few unfriendly looks thrown their way and some admiring gazes for Kathleen. The building had several back rooms, but Willow G’s was the largest.
“Where are you going?” Sandra, the burly female bouncer, asked when they reached Willow’s door.
“Come on, Sandy, you know me,” Kathleen used her same universal charms. “I just need a word with the boss.”
“Do you? Oryourboss does?” Tony bristled. He was the big muscle, larger than Luke or the bouncer at the main door.
“Arty and Willow go way back,” Kathleen kept on. “Let him and his friend through, and I’ll stay as collateral—and to keep you company. Five minutes.”
“What’s in it for us?” Sandra asked.
“Besides my sparkling personality?”
They both chuckled but didn’t yet budge.
“You really beat Big Bruno in an arm-wrestling match?” Tony asked.
“Why? You want a go?”
“I ain’t that mean, but what about facing Sandy?”
Sandra grinned, and Kathleen shed her coat in one swift movement, tossing it at Tony.
“Seriously?” Andrew sputtered.
