One of the buzzcuts snorted. “Yeah, Flint. We’re just razzing him.” He threw a hand toward the cop in the glasses. “Russo likes it.”
The one in glasses tipped his head side to side noncommittally. “Well… likes it might be pushing it a tad but—”
“Ahem.”
I turned and found the bartender handing me a short glass of whisky, a shallow bowl of water, and a tall cocktail glass with a sugared starfish and umbrellas sticking out of it. That would be mine.
I grinned and pulled them toward me. “Thanks so much.” I glanced down the bar but other patrons blocked my view of Peter and the other cops. I turned back to the bartender and flashed my eyes. “I think we’re going to need these.”
He grinned, his mustache bristling. “Just don’t get too far gone.” He leaned forward and winked. “Got to keep your wits about you with the captain wandering about.”
I frowned and wrapped my lips around the straw. “The captain?” I took a sip and winced. Woo. Someone liked to pour with a heavy hand. I grinned. My kind of bartender.
He leaned on one elbow and looked around, then lowered his voice. “You don’t know the legend? This pirate ship went down off the coast of Bijou Mer over two hundred years ago.”
I flashed my eyes at him from behind my feathered mask. “For a wreck, she looks pretty good to me.” I took another sip of my strong drink. Some might say the same thing about me.
The tanned guy grinned and leaned closer. “She was dredged up a couple years ago and magically restored. But legend goes, it’s haunted by the ghost of the pirate captain who went down with her.”
“Spooky. I’d better keep an eye out for the ol’ captain.”
“You know, I’d be happy to show you around below deck when my shift is over.”
My eyes widened and I froze. Holy carp. Was I being flirted with? Was this dress enchanted or something?
I shot him a warm grin. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll be getting my kicks above deck tonight.”
He pressed his lips into a tight grin, gave me one last look, then patted the bar and moved down the line to take another order.
My, oh my. I raised my brows and grinned to myself. Maybe I still had it. I sipped my drink and scanned the room, then jumped when I caught Daisy staring up at me.
I pressed a hand to my chest. “Snakes! I forgot you were there.”
She lifted her snout and her wet, black nose twitched. What are you drinking? It smells good.
I smirked. Sorry, girl. I held a hand at my waist, palm down. You have to be at least this tall to ride.
Her ears flattened and she glared at me. Her lips parted, as if to retort, but Peter cut her off. He pushed through the crowd, stalked right up to the bar, and swiped up the glass of whiskey.
“Yep, that’s—” I watched him down the whole thing in one gulp, then slam it down onto the bar. “—your drink.” I flashed my eyes at him. What had gotten into Peter? Was I going to have to be the logical, sober one tonight? Man. Talk about role reversals.
He shot me a tight smile. “Come on. Let’s go.”
He found my hand and pulled me into the crowd. I teetered behind him in my heels, my sea salt sour held high in my other hand to avoid sloshing it onto anyone. “Go where exactly?”
His nostrils flared. “Away from here.”
Daisy trailed behind us as we slid into the dense crowd. Right.
RAINCHECK
Peter lifted a long arm and waved, though, as he stood a good foot taller than me even in heels, I couldn’t tell who he’d spotted. Still holding my hand (no complaints from me) he led me through the dense crowd of men and women in tuxedos, gowns, and jeweled masks. A waiter slid behind me, a tray of champagne flutes on a magically hovering tray, just above his head.
As we moved on, the jazz band in the corner grew louder, their sparkling singer crooning out an impossibly high note. The crowd seemed to grow even more dense, and Peter slowed.
“Edna!” He cupped a hand to the side of his mouth and called out to the precinct’s office manager.
The older woman spun to face us, and her hot pink lips split into a grin. “Peter! C’mere, doll.” She sported a sparkling, floor-length leopard print gown with a furry shrug. She still wore her purple cat glasses—just over her leopard print mask.
As we neared, she reached two plump hands up and grabbed Peter by either side of his face. She pulled him closer and planted two big kisses on his cheeks, leaving behind bright pink lip prints.
Then she turned to me and opened her arms wide. “Oh, don’t you look a picture.” I awkwardly gave her a one-armed hug, both because I was trying not to spill my drink, and because I was unused to affection from near strangers… or anyone, really.
The thing about Edna was that I’d actually interacted with her a few times in my former life as a lawyer when I’d had to go up to the station to take statements.
She closed one eye and shook a finger with a brightly pointed nail at me. “I’ll remember where I know you from, one of these days….”
“Heh.” I let out a nervous chuckle and took a generous sip of my fruity cocktail. Sands, I hope not. Peter had no idea about my past—and I intended to keep it that way. It was easier, and safer, for everyone.
Edna reached down and ruffled Daisy’s fur while the dog leaned against her side, tail wagging. She flashed her eyes at Peter as she continued to pet the dog. “You seeing this bullarney?” She jerked her head toward the thick throng of people in front of us.
Peter lifted his chin, looking in the direction she’d indicated, then frowned
