“I know you’re there,” she called out.
Her entire body tensed as a man emerged from the shadows. Detective Wolke. Her muscles didn’t fully relax. While she wasn’t afraid of him, she was afraid to be seen with him.
He swaggered as he approached, a bit smug for a man whose stealth skills were questionable. “What’s a respectable lady like you doing out at this hour?”
“Nothing you wouldn’t enjoy.”
She stepped closer, too close, and prodded his chest with her finger, tracing the contours of his hidden badge. Bourbon floated off his skin. It made her thirsty.
“What are you doing drinking on the job, Detective?”
He swept her hand off his badge. “You don’t have to call me Detective.”
“Okay,baby.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “Andreas will do.” He pulled a small bottle from his pocket and dabbed whiskey onto his neck like cologne. “I’m working off the clock. I find this helps to fit in.”
“Clever. So, what brought you to the Loos Bar?”
“Same as you. It’s the last place the victims were seen. Are you hiding something there?”
“I’ve got nothing to hide, Andreas. I’ll show you anything you ask for and a few things you don’t,” she said, voice layered with allure.
“So,” he said, shaking his head and sighing.
“Have you considered getting another expression? You know, mixing it up once in a while?”
He furrowed his brows. “So.Moving on. What’d you discuss with that bartender? You two seemed awfully friendly.”
“Nothing important. Besides, I have a lot of friends in this city.”
“Quit stalling. You realize we’ll check the bar’s security footage and receipts? Will we find you were here last night, talking to yourfriend?”
“I haven’t been to the Loos Bar in months. I was working, if you recall.”
“Fair,” he grumbled. “So, what were you doing there tonight?”
“Suffering,” she said without a hint of irony.
“On account of the bartender?”
“Possibly.”
“Huh.” He tilted his head. “Him, really?”
“Her, and yes, really. What’s that look for?”
“Her, sorry. I just figured the waitress was more your type.”
“Who says I only have one type? But, fair point, she’s cute.”
“For all your suffering, you still got her number.”
“I’m good at making friends.”
He rolled his eyes. “Friends,sure.”
“Does your partner know you’re here? Beate might be jealous if she thought we were becomingfriends.”
