Her own investigation, asking questions among her spies in the Quarter, had come up with no other information on the murder. Jesse Lee would likely never be avenged. That irritated and frustrated her. She wanted badly to connect Jordan Ma to the killing. If she could do that, she could prevail upon the elders to remove him. Perhaps permanently.
"Wait, there's someone I want to talk to," Griffen said. Mai glanced in the direction he was looking. A tall man with a potbelly stood beside a woman in a yellow dress, about a size sixteen, she estimated. They wore eye masks.
They swung to a halt next to the couple just as the music ended.
"Hello, Eric," he said.
"Griffen McCandles?" the masked man said, startled. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"No?" Griffen asked.
"Because you're so busy," the lady in the matching mask on his arm put in hastily.
"Yes, right," Eric said. "That's what I meant."
"I'm king of the Krewe of Fafnir," he said.
"Yes, I saw. Congratulations. We're in the court here."
"Congratulations to you. This is Mai."
"As in Mai Goodness? Pleased to meet you, lovely lady," Eric said. "My wife, Gloria."
"That's a beautiful dress," Gloria said.
The tiny woman preened. "Caroline Herrera," she said, turning slightly to show off a better angle.
"Well, it looks wonderful on you," the woman said. "Not everyone can carry off a silhouette like that."
"I am fortunate. Your dress becomes you, too. Is that Armani?"
"Yes! What a good eye you have, dear."
"So, doing the rounds, are you?" Eric sounded nervous. Griffen put on a polite and disarming smile. Eric was a Louisiana businessman with ties to a number of politicos. Griffen had done his best to strike up a friendly acquaintance with him, making sure games were open when he wanted them, bringing in his favorite liquors and snacks. It would be useful to have an in with the local government. Influence of that kind opened doors. Griffen was beginning to think about his future, beyond running a few poker games.
"Like yourself," Griffen said. "Say, Eric, it's been a while since we've seen you at a game."
"Oh, you know," Eric said. "Pretty busy right now. The season's getting started, and we have a big pile of invitations, but I've got to keep up with business matters, too. Probably the same as you."
"That's true," Griffen began.
The orchestra near the wall struck up a soft jazz tune.
"Let's go and sit down, Gloria," Eric said hastily. "Nice seeing you, Griffen."
Alarmed, Griffen saw his useful connection getting away.
"Eric, I'd just like to talk with you for a moment."
Eric held up his hands. "Maybe later, Griffen. Really. Not now."
Mai put a hand on Eric's arm. "Won't you ask me to dance?" she asked sweetly.
Eric looked at his wife, who nodded. The expression in her eyes was not jealous. Mai was glad. It would make this effort somewhat easier. As they moved away, Griffen bowed to Gloria.
They moved off together to the strains of a glorious old standard. Mai allowed Eric to plant a large, heavy hand in the small of her back and press her against his chest. It was his way of guiding her around the floor. It did not leave her a good deal of room to move her legs, but she was nimble enough to keep his feet off of hers.
"Griffen speaks well of you, sir," Mai said, bending gracefully as he twirled her out to arm's length and back into his arms.
"Good guy, Griffen," Eric said absently. He gave her a quick smile. She could read agitation in his expression.
"But something is troubling you."
"It's not his fault, I guess, but I have a reputation to look after in this state. I hear things."
"About Griffen?"
"The games. Been a lot of controversy lately. I ended up talking to a guy in a bar who had been at one of the games and had his whole stake wiped out by someone who turned out to be cheating. Asian like you."
"I probably do not know him," Mai said, coolly.
"No! Not saying you do. But if I'm not wrong, one of these days the cops are gonna raid a game, and I'd get my picture in the paper. All I want to do is play some poker. If I want hassles, I can stay home and talk to my wife."
Mai gave him a playful smile. "I see. I know that Griffen would certainly like you to come back. He respects you so much, Eric. You are a man of power."
Nothing loosens up a man's inhibitions like flattery. "If he can clear up the problems, I'd be back there like a shot. Never had such good hospitality. He picks the best players. And I win a lot." He smiled, some of the nervousness abated. Mai smiled back. They finished the dance, and Mai curtsied prettily to him. She came to squeeze Gloria's hand.
"Thank you for letting me dance with him. He is very good."
"He's not bad at that," Gloria said. "Your Griffen is a good dancer, too. Nice to meet you, dear."
The elder couple squeezed their way through the crowd and disappeared. Mai took Griffen's arm and pulled him off the dance floor. She told Griffen what she had coaxed out of Eric.
"The word is out," Griffen said, angrily. "We ought to have had eight games this week. We're down to five. The rumors are killing us. We'll be wiped out in a few weeks if this keeps up."
"Come and sit down," Mai said hastily, glancing around. Almost everyone else had taken their places.
"I don't think I can sit down," Griffen said. "The Eastern dragons are destroying not only my life, but that of all my employees. Do you know how many people rely on me for their livelihood?"
"Poker face!" Mai hissed. "Play the part. This is no time to let your anger get the better of you."
Griffen looked around and realized that numerous eyes were upon him, including Eric's. If there was ever a time that he had to conceal all his tells, this was it. He smiled and put out his elbow to Mai.
"May I escort you to our table?" he asked.
"It would be my pleasure," Mai said. She alone could feel the fury in him, but as they passed each of the tables, the candles in the centerpiece flared up. Mai was grateful that the guests at their table were all strangers.