“The lock code has been changed, and only Stan has the new card.”
“It sounds like all the bases are covered,” Sahara said.
“For the moment. Can I call on you to run to the pharmacy with me, if we get a lead?”
“Unless you need us between eleven and twelve o’clock. We’re giving a workshop on how to write sizzling erotica.”
Joell snorted. “I wish like hell I could go to that.”
Magda laughed. “Why? You’re already writing stuff so hot your readers need fire-retardant gloves to turn the pages.”
“Who else is around?” Sahara asked.
“Crystal is sticking close to Stan Gold. We’ve pretty much ruled out his involvement, but someone may contact him for ransom.”
“Okay. Our league cell phones are on. Call if you need us.”
“I will.” After they parted, Joell glanced all around the lobby. “Now where’s that stinkin’ fake undercover model, Rick?”
Stinking? Crowe thought he smelled rather nice. Just a hint of aftershave. Not enough to make him think he was gagging on a pine tree.
Crowe sensed his witch’s panic even before she began swinging his big Louis Vuitton tote hither and yon as she searched the room.
“Rick?” she called. Joell sprinted through the lobby, checking conference rooms and searching the sea of faces. How could she lose a six-foot Cupid with a goatee and quiver of arrows? Something was wrong.
“Damn, not another one!”
“You’ve been staringat that cup of coffee for twenty minutes,” Crystal said.
“I know. My scrying sense is really on the fritz. I can’t see a damn—” Joell’s posture straightened. “Wait a minute…”
Crowe had been in her lap, but wanted to see too, so he jumped up on the table and turned to look into the mug. That’s when he saw him, standing right behind her.
“Wow! He’s wearing an eye patch. I can’t tell what else he’s wearing, but damn, he’s smokin’ hot.”
“Really?” Crystal asked casually.
“I hope that doesn’t mean they’ve done something to his sexy, brown eyes. That would be a terrible shame, and one I’d have to make them pay for. Now I just need to get a fix on the background, if I can take my eyes off the handsome foreground.”
Joell was going to hate herself when she realized Rick was listening to every word. His grin grew until he slapped a hand over his mouth and backed away, probably to keep from laughing.
“Well, he must not be in danger. He was smiling a second ago. Have you noticed his straight, white teeth against his tan face when he smiles?”
Crystal bit her lip. She and Stan looked as if they were about to burst out laughing. Crowe wondered what he should do.Meow? Nudge her until she looks up? Or would she shoot the messenger?He just sat and waited quietly.
Rick reached out and placed a hand on Joell’s shoulder, causing her to jump and whirl around.
“What the—” As soon as she saw him, she leaped out of her chair and smacked him upside the head. His long hair flopped to one side, but he was laughing so hard, obviously no harm had come to him… yet.
“You had me worried sick! I thought we had a ninth victim. Where the hell were you?”
“Changing my costume, or didn’t you notice my smokin’ hot eye patch?”
She hit him a couple more times on the arm as he, Stan Gold, and Crystal laughed loudly. “Hey, be careful not to bruise me! I have to compete in something skimpy.”
Then Stan’s cell phone rang. The group fell silent while he answered it.
“Gold.” His eyebrows shot up, and he reached into his breast pocket for a pad of paper and a pen. “Where?”
