Sounded like the perfect time for a diminutive, tuxedo-wearing, ass-kissing vampire to get some hot afternoon lovin’.
I squinted out of the backseat window of Lenny’s car, which was parked across the street from the flank of modest townhomes.
Target: Barry Jordan.
Height: Four feet and change.
Charisma: Zero.
The front door to the unit he and Amy shared opened, and a tall, beautiful redhead emerged into the sunshine and put on dark sunglasses. I could see Barry standing in the doorway, shielding his eyes from the intense sunlight. She kept talking to him for a minute. She had a briefcase under her arm. They laughed. Then she leaned over to give him a hug and she turned to walk away.
The door closed.
I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes. Amy’s suspicions were true!
“I’ll be right back,” I said, then let myself out of the car to march right up to the front of the house and knock on the door. It opened after a moment.
“Doris, did you forget something—?” Barry’s eyes widened when he saw it was me.
“Doris, huh?”
“Oh, no.” He tried to slam the door but I put my weight against it and slipped inside the apartment.
I jabbed my finger at him. “You are in big trouble, little man.”
He held up his hands. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Oh? And what do you think it looks like?”
He frowned at me. “What are you doing here, anyhow?”
“Investigating your sorry little ass, that’s what I’m doing. And I was on your side! I wanted to prove you were innocent. What do you think you’re doing, cheating on Amy? Do you have any idea how lucky you are she even realizes that you exist, let alone allowing you to put that diamond smear on her finger?”
His eyes narrowed. “This is none of your business. You should go.”
“Oh, we’re not at the club right now. So don’t even think you can boss me around. I want to know what you’re doing, and what that bimbo was doing here. Just gloss over the top. Leave out the gory details or
I might throw up.”
His face reddened. “You weren’t supposed to find out about this.”
“Obviously.”
He stared at me for another moment, his small fists clenched at his sides. And then he sighed. “Fine. But you better not tell Amy a thing.” He turned away and walked into the kitchen.
“You have got to be kidding. You think I’m going to keep your seedy little secret?” I followed him. “I told her she never should have married you, you little—”
There was a huge birthday cake on the kitchen counter and several flower arrangements. Three packages of balloons and a helium tank sat nearby.
“I’m planning a surprise birthday party for her.” Barry glanced at all the stuff before glaring at me. “Doris is the event planner who’s helping me out. I want it to be really special since it’s Amy’s thirtieth and I know she’s a little upset about it.”
I deflated. “Oh, Barry. You have my permission to think I’m a total idiot.”
“Way ahead of you.”
“I’m so sorry. I thought you were . . . ” I gritted my teeth.
“Cheating?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Well, yeah.”
He shrugged. “I’m not.”
I frowned. “So this is for a surprise party.”
“That’s right.”
“For my best friend.” My frown deepened. “That I haven’t heard anything about until now. Am I even invited?”
He sighed. “Of course you’re invited. It’s 6:30 tomorrow night at Haven. The master is closing the club to anyone but invited guests.”
Thierry knew. He didn’t mention it.
Then again, he was very good at keeping secrets.
I put a hand on my hip and looked around. “Does that cake really say ‘Happy Birthday Snookums’?”
“So what if it does?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the party?”
“Because it’s asurprise party.”
“Yeah. And?”
He rolled his eyes. “You would have told Amy. And you better not tell her now or it will ruin everything.”
“I wouldn’t have told her.”
He gave me a look that clearly stated that he didn’t believe me.
I managed to look aghast. “Do you think I’m a gossip, or something?”
He shrugged.
I nervously tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Well, I’m not. I can keep a secret.”