“They both seem interested.” He leaned in so his breath whispered across her ear. “There’s only one beauty here tonight, and she’s onmyarm.”
“I think you’re highly prejudiced.”
“Could be, but it’s still the truth.” He held the door open for her, and she released his arm to step into the bar.
Light brick walls contrasted with dark wood floors and agleaming mahogany bar. A mirror reflected the rows of liquor bottles. Servers carried drinks and bar food through the crowd, and Paradise spotted a tower of onion rings with cocktail sauce. Music filtered through speakers, but she couldn’t follow the melody with the flow of conversations around her. She and Blake shouldered through the throng to reach seats at the bar beside Drew and Abby.
Drew nodded to them and turned to the bartender. “I’ve got the tab for the four of us.”
They all ordered sodas, and Drew ordered chips and queso for all of them. Paradise added that tower of onion rings she spotted.
“Food will be up shortly.” The guy grabbed glasses and began to fill them with their drinks.
“Have you seen Warren Gibson around tonight?” Drew asked in a casual tone. “He works with us out at The Sanctuary.”
The guy shot them an interested glance. “You guys work out there? Me and my wife love that place. My son likes the lemurs.” He slid a Sprite Paradise’s way. “I’ve seen your picture. You’re the new vet in town too.”
“Guilty.” Paradise took a sip of her drink. “Warren helps out in the wild animal clinic. We stopped by his place, and when he was gone, we thought he might be here.”
“You could ask his girlfriend.” The bartender jerked his head down the row of stools toward a blonde who sipped on a beer. “She’ll know where he is.”
“Thanks.” Drew lifted his glass of Coke as a toast and took it with him.
Paradise followed with Blake and Abby. Could it really be this easy to find Warren?
Drew slid onto the seat next to the woman, who appeared to be about Paradise’s age, and gestured to Paradise, who quicklystepped over to stand by him. She had seen plenty of false eyelashes that were tastefully done, but this woman’s were at least half an inch long and as thick as curling spider legs. She suppressed a shudder.
The woman turned a lazy glance toward them. “’Elp you?” she slurred.
Her breath blew the stench of beer to Paradise’s nose, but she forced a smile. “Hi, I work with Warren, and I need to ask him a question. He left work early and isn’t home. Do you happen to know where he is?” Was the woman sober enough to answer?
The woman’s bleary eyes studied Paradise’s face. “The new vet. Better find a new tech. He skipped out. Prob’ly halfway to Florida by now.”
“Does he know someone in Florida?” Drew asked.
She swore and took another gulp of her beer. “Shot me a text and said he’d be in touch.Suuuurehe will. Wish I could meet a good man, just once.” She clutched Drew’s forearm. “You taken, honey?”
“Sorry.” He eased her hand off his arm. “You have any idea where he might be holing up? We really need to talk to him.”
She shrugged. “His aunt has a condo in Perdido Key. Took me there once. Beach Colony Resort.”
“Do you know the condo number?”
She sighed and reached for her purse. After digging in it for what felt an eternity, her hand emerged with a crumpled paper. “3D,” she announced. “Nice place.”
Drew put it in his phone. “We appreciate your help.” He pulled out a card and pressed it into her hand. “If he contacts you, would you let me know?”
She glanced at the card. “You’re a cop?”
“I’m Paradise’s brother and I’m just helping her find Warren.” He stood and took a step back.
It felt like a dead end, but Perdido Key wasn’t that far. They could check it out. “Anyone up for a Perdido Key beach stroll?”
“I’m in,” Abby said. “Let me arrange for Quinn to spend the night at her friend’s.” She headed for the exit.
Paradise caught Drew’s expression and tried unsuccessfully to hide her smile. He was too smitten to notice.
The Beach Colony Resort was gated, and they didn’t have a code. Blake tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “We might have a problem.”
