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“People are dying!”
“People are already dead. Those who were targeted are already toast. The convention is over, and everyone has scattered again, which means, for now, at least, the threat has scattered too.”
“Fletch—”
“There are nonewbodies turning up. None since Tuesday morning. The poison was given and now, the fallout is happening. But you being here changes none of that.”
“It’s the food, right?” I turn to the server who passes through the ballroom, her arms laden with heavy silver trays. Then I go back to watching the hall. “Thirty people out of three hundred-ish,that means a table or two were targeted. You’re gonna want to check out the kitchen staff. Get the local cops to pull them all in and question them. Find which one had someone die recently of cancer.”
“I’ll take care of this. You take care of that.” He brings a hand up and knocks on a door, the thump-thump-thump reverberating through our call. “Probably don’t eat anything that comes out of that building for the next little while.”
“Fuck. I’m gonna have to find a new caterer.”
He scoffs. “It’s a small wedding, Arch. I reckon it’s gonna work out.”
“Archer?”
Minka’s voice travels along the hall, making me jump in my seat and yank the phone from my ear. The threat of almost being caught working has me twitchy. But I bring it back again, slamming the device to my ear and whispering quickly, “I gotta go. Shoot me a text if you need anything. Keep me updated on the case and let me know what the shrink says.”
“Yep. Tell Delicious I said hey.”
“You know I won’t. She’s not aware I’m talking to you. And I forbade her from telling Aubs about this wedding. So what do you think she’ll say if she found out I told you?”
“She’s gonna tear you apart, bro.” Laughing, I know he shakes his head at me. “Secrets and lies. Secrets and lies arenothow you start a marriage.”
“Shut up. I’m trying to save her from herself.”
“Archer?”
“In the ballroom.” I tug the phone from my ear and kill our call. Then tilting to the side, I quickly push the device into my pocket and smile as she wanders through the door with a too-serious Mary just a half-dozen steps behind her.
“Hey.” I stand and wait as Minka catalogs the scene she’s walked upon. Me, in front of a piano, my shirt mostly unbuttoned, and my hands on the ivory keys like I know how to play. “Did you pick a dress?”
“Mmm.” Slowly, seductively, she saunters closer while Mary continues through and leaves us alone, her hands dug into her dress pockets and a deep V, etched between her brows. “After some serious consideration and a mild panic attack.” Coming around to my side of the piano, she takes my hand and lowers onto the bench, so I’m forced to follow and sit down too. “Do you play?” Carefully, she brings her other hand up and fingers a single key until the musical tone vibrates free. “I didn’t see you as one of those guys.”
“No, I can’t play.” My father taught us to shoot. To torture. To kill. But not to play an instrument. “But I can dissect a man’s bowels while he remains awake and alert.”
Her dimples pop to life, lighting up her entire face as a grin curls across. “Me too. Well,” she amends with a snigger, “not that I’ve tried it on an awake, or even alive, patient. But I’d bet the theory remains the same.” She presses another key, but glances across and up at me. “Were you talking to someone?”
“Hmm?”
“Before.” She tips her chin toward the hall. “I thought I heard you talking.”
“Nope.”Lie! “But I’m glad you’re done. I missed you.” I throw my arm over her shoulders and drag her in until she’s forced to lookup. Naturally, her lips pucker. “What would you like to eat on your wedding day, Doctor Mayet? I heard Kingston does some nice jerk chicken.”
“Really? That’s what you want to eat?”
“I’ll eat anything that makes you happy.” I press a kiss to her lips. “Whatever you want. I’m just glad to be here with you.”
“Needy,” she giggles. But she opens her lips and allows me to slide my tongue forward. And because she does, I grab her hips and pick her up, her girly squeal as I bring her around and set her on the piano, like music to my ears. “Archer!”
“Open your legs.” I stand and kick the bench back, then placing my hands on her knees, I force them apart and swallow down her groan. “I missed you while you were gone.”
MINKA
On Thursday, we scuba dive along the Jamaican coast, coming uncomfortably close to sting rays—Archer was uncomfortable, not me—and we were treated to the beauty that is coral reef and a rainbow of stunning fish I doubt we have on our side of the American mainland.
That evening was for eating under the stars and dancing in the moonlight.
