asked him. He shook his head, looking at Axel with his eyes narrowing.
“Yeah, I know. What if we find the dark-haired six-foot-plus man at the club? If he’s there waiting for her, it means he didn’t kill her,” Axel said.
“True. He wouldn’t be waiting for her if he knew she was dead.” Nigel shrugged. “Then again, he might not be waiting for her simply because he saw the police likeness on the news.”
“He might know something.”
“They talked for two minutes in front of a coffee shop. And she made a date.”
“Unless she saw him before or again somewhere else we know nothing about. She only talked to him briefly at the coffee shop, but surely she didn’t get to know him through that two minutes. That can’t have been their only meeting. If he’s there, he just might be able to tell us something,” Axel said. They stepped out into the reception room. Raina was there, chatting with the desk sergeant.
Apparently, he’d known who she was and what she did. He was telling her about his problem with his blue heeler puppy.
“Remember, they were bred as herding dogs. They nip at the heels of sheep or cattle to keep them in a herd. But you have to let him know he shouldn’t use that behavior with people. Don’t swat him. Be consistent. A firm ‘no’ is most important. The more consistent you are, the better he’ll understand what you mean. And remember, treats are good in training, and so is a show of affection.”
The sergeant nodded enthusiastically.
“Another fan?” Axel teased.
“Another dog-lover,” she said. She glanced at Nigel, smiling a little grimly. “So, we’re off, right? Clubbing? Did the cameras pick up a likeness of the man?”
“We have the back of his head down pat,” Nigel assured her.
“Ah.” She cast her head slightly to the side, looking back and forth between them. “Her picture was on the news. If this man saw it...”
“We’re taking a stab in the dark. If nothing else, we’ve already worked long hours and we’ll hear some music,” Axel said.
“Music is good,” Raina assured them.
“And they have food,” Nigel said. When both Axel and Raina looked at him, he returned their stares with exasperation. “Hey, food is good, too. Keeps us going and we have to go for hours on end without it sometimes.”
“Often,” Axel teased.
Nigel waved a hand in the air. “Okay, you two just sit there. I’ll order food.”
Axel drove with Raina beside him while Nigel took the back.
When they arrived at their destination, Axel quickly knew why the staff at the dentist’s office had been so impressed.
While a lot of clubs kept loud dance music going, this one catered to good but quiet performers. No DJs were spinning. There was a hostess at the door who led them to a far back table where they had a great view not just of the duo onstage, but of anyone entering or leaving the club, and those seated at the tables, as well. The couple performing were doing a Simon and Garfunkel number as they headed for their table. Once they were seated and ordering, the duo switched into Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and then a Stevie Nicks/Don Henley number, “Leather and Lace.”
“They’re good, really good,” Raina commented. “And we can still hear each other.”
“And order food,” Nigel said. “Sorry—starving.”
“He’s always starving,” Axel said.
“Listen, I’m one of the top homicide detectives in the county. That requires nourishment,” Nigel protested.
Raina smiled at them both.
“Bring on the food,” she said.
They ordered. The club offered an eclectic collection of options from sushi to Latin American.
Axel might’ve teased Nigel about food, but he gave his own order in seconds flat.
Nigel did the same.
The duo on stage continued, switching from country to pop and rock, jazz and soul. Axel could see Raina liked the musicians. There were moments when she just watched them without looking anxious at all, then her gaze would turn back to the door.
He thought that she was exceptionally beautiful as she watched and listened. There was an incredible vibrancy and life in her eyes, in her very being.
There was just so much about her that appealed to so much within him.
She glanced his way. “They’re very good. Music like this makes you want to...move,” she said.
“Ah, yeah. Move,” he murmured. Well, the music was good, she was beautiful and...yeah. It all made him want to move.
Their food came. As their friendly waiter served them, he obstructed their view slightly.