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During my preparations, my thoughts were with Craig, lying in a hospital bed. I was glad I’d gotten in touch with our friends, and they were more than willing to spend time with him. I knew that if Craig were alone in his room, he’d worry about me and go stir-crazy. It was bad enough that I was worried about him, but going on assignment would help keep me grounded.

An hour later, Sean met me at the hotel’s loading dock in the surveillance van. All our equipment was stored in the van, and I’d been fitted with an earbud and a jeweled rainbow pin that housed a mini camera. That way, he’d be able to see everything the camera captured and hear everything my earbud picked up. My concern was keeping my distance from the women as they changed outfits. I felt their privacy needed to be protected from the mini camera and from being seen by any of the guys on the security team. I was sure I could do that, being one of the few male stylists backstage.

“Is this the kind of thing you do when you do your drag shows?” Sean asked, giving me a once-over with a cheeky grin.

“You really need to get out more,” I replied, fixing the pin on my chest. “I don’t think you’d recognize me in full drag, partner. This is tame, with a mix of androgyny.”

“Well, if you’d invite me to a show, I guess I’d know better.”

That was the second time he’d brought up not seeing me perform, giving me a twinge of guilt. “Okay. Scout’s honor, the next time I do drag, I’ll invite you. But you’d better show up to watch me. No excuses.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He snickered, then settled at the bank of monitors that would display what my earbud and rainbow pin captured. He looked back at me and said, “You look a little gayer than I’ve ever seen you.”

I shot him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“All I’m saying is that you're quite the chameleon. You fit the straight detective role so well I don’t think people would even realize you’re gay. That’s all,” he replied, using air quotes to emphasize straight.

I wasn’t sure how to take that. Was it a compliment or a jab? “Sean, let me ask you this. Do you feel you need to label someone as gay, straight, or whatever? Do you need to know that about someone? I’ve never known you to stereotype others.”

He thought for a moment. “No. I mean, we live in a city where the gay population is a higher percentage, I think. You know how liberal I am about such things. I was just making the comment because you’re my partner. I feel our relationship is pretty fucking solid, and I can say things to you without you taking offense. I’m sorry if it came across the wrong way.”

That made me think. I really loved Sean. He was right that we were solid as friends and colleagues. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to come back so harshly. In the four years we’ve worked together, you really haven’t seen this side of me.” I laughed. “So… get ready to be dazzled by my gay, GG Deveraux brilliance backstage, my friend,” I said, ending with as much gay affectation as I could.

Sean chuckled, shaking his head. “Break a leg with your acting skills, GG. Can’t wait to see how far you take this.”

We tested the equipment, which worked perfectly, so I stepped out of the van, backpack in hand, and headed inside the hotel. I knew where to go because we’d gone over the hotel’s layout already. One of the women on the pageant committee had told me where to find the rest of the makeup and stylist teams. When I walked in, I was met by a half-dozen women who shot me looks ranging from shock to exuberant smiles.

“I assume this is where all the gorgeousness happens?” I said with exuberance, walking up to the group.

There were giggles, but not in a mean or judgmental way. They were more a reaction to the outgoing, flamboyant personality I projected. I think my height had something to do with it, too. At least that’s how I saw it. I figured, even though it was a serious assignment, it could be fun working with these ladies.

“What’s your name, dear?” one woman asked, leaning against a makeup table.

“GG Devereaux, dear. Not like Gigi, the movie. My initials are GG. But I also go by Dev if you prefer. I’ll answer to both,” I replied, putting a hand up to my throat as if clutching pearls.

“Welcome, GG. We’re happy to have you on the team,” another woman said, sitting on a stool at the front of the room. “We’re just getting started here. My name is Sofia, and I’m the team leader.”

I smiled and gave her a finger wave, then took a seat and crossed my legs.

Sophia went over how the duties would be divided. Since she had been brought up to speed by the pageant committee, she knew who I was and played along. She assigned me to do touch-ups, as we had planned. She explained that a few of the contestants had arrived, but most would show up tomorrow, when our services would be needed most. That gave us the afternoon to set up our stations and get to know each other.

I chose a table at the far end after letting them decide where they wanted to be. Being new, I wasn’t sure what the protocol was. The woman who’d asked what my name was earlier plunked her two large totes at the station next to mine.

“How long have you been working in pageants, dear?” she asked, pulling her makeup tools out. “My name is Megan, by the way.”

“Hello, Megan. Well, to be honest, this is my first pageant, but I hope to do more,” I whispered, with the back of my hand covering one side of my mouth. “A friend of mine passed my name to someone, and voila, here I am.” I brought both arms up and shifted my hips to the side.

There was a definite “Oh, Jesus,” and a giggle from Sean in my ear. I cleared my throat to shut him up.

As I unpacked my supplies, I asked Megan, “How long have you been doing this?”

“Oh, jeez…almost fifteen years. Not just the pageants, but I work on models for fashion shows. I also have a website where I promote my custom Halloween makeup services.”

“That’s damn impressive, girl,” I replied with a hand on my hip. She beamed proudly.

We chatted for a bit until she excused herself and walked over to a couple of other artists. From their conversation, they seemed to be friends. I finished unpacking and then heard a familiar accent from the stage where the pageant would be held.

As I sauntered over to stand by the large backdrop curtain being hoisted toward the ceiling, I asked Sean if he was receiving my audio and video okay. He said I was coming through loud and clear. He then chuckled.