came several times to see her, if I remember the right person. Could have been a volunteer or social worker.”
“Can you describe her?”
“Human. Brown hair, I think. Average. Not one of the beauties, but real pleasant. Can’t really picture her face.” He squinted at Ari. “Myrtle says Vani was murdered. You be careful now. A little gal like you shouldn’t be chasing criminals.”
“Thanks for the concern, but I’m tougher than I look. If you think of anything else, please call.” She gave each of them a business card and left.
Although the social service agencies would be closed tonight, Ari planned to follow Daniel’s suggestion and start with them first thing in the morning.
With the evening still young, she decided to stop at the club, check in with the werelions, see if everything was secure. OK, so maybe she really wanted to see Andreas. If he was talking to her. She hadn’t intended to start a fight last night. Ari sighed. Maybe she should take that as an omen. And yet, here she was.
Club Dintero was busy. Marcus was manning the front door.
Ari looked around but didn’t see Andreas. “Where is he?”
“You mean, Andreas?”
“Of course. Is he around?”
“I think he’s in his office, but…” Marcus looked uncertain. “Did he know you were coming? Someone’s with him right now. Let me find you a table. I’ll send him in as soon as he’s free. I’m sure he won’t be long.”
Something in Marcus’s voice made her ask, “Who’s he with?”
“Uh, why don’t I tell him you’re here?”
Ari frowned. What was wrong with Marcus? She’d never seen him so ill at ease. She’d begun to suspect something was wrong, when feminine laughter erupted from the direction of the office. As she turned to look, Andreas and Ms. Slinky from the charity auction exited into the hallway. Both were smiling. The vampiress was draped on his arm.
Ari’s first thought was to leave, but she decided not to let him off the hook so easy. She stepped forward with a bright smile on her face.
“Ah, there you are,” she said. “Marcus has been telling me you were busy, and I shouldn’t interrupt.” Ari turned to Ms. Slinky and took a deliberate look. White tube top, black leather skirt, long legs. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Arianna Calin.”
Andreas’s companion returned the scrutiny, making Ari very aware of her faded jeans. “Glorius,” the vamp responded coolly.
Glorious! Give me a break, thought Ari. Who had a name like that and admitted it?
Andreas displayed an instant of hesitation, then watched their exchange with a smile tugging at his mouth.
Ari had a sudden urge to remove his smug look. “Since I was working late, I dropped in to report the latest developments.” She looked pointedly at Ms. Slinky and smiled. “But I see you’re otherwise occupied. Lt. Foster can bring you up to date. Tomorrow or the next day, whenever you’re available.” She turned to leave, but Andreas deftly caught her arm.
“Glorius and I are finished, for the moment, and I always have time for you.” Still holding her arm in a firm grasp, he spoke to his companion, “Glori, I will get back to you as soon as I know more. Please, have a drink, enjoy the show. Marcus can find you a table.”
“I appreciate the invitation,” she purred. “But I never drink alone. Conduct your business, darling. I’ll be back another time.” She gave him a sizzling smile and tossed a half-hearted nod in Ari’s direction before departing.
Darling? Huh. Good riddance. Ari yanked her arm away from Andreas and marched toward his office. Once inside, Andreas closed the door and stepped back, as if he expected her to take a swing. She regarded him with a bland face.
“Seems like a nice, sweet girl,” Ari said.
“Pleasant enough.”
“I’ll just bet. She was your date at the auction.”
He grinned. “You noticed.”
Ari bit her lip, wishing she hadn’t admitted that, and pretended interest in a modern wall abstract. “You two seemed quite chummy, darling,” she said, keeping her voice neutral but not looking at him.
He said nothing. The silence grew louder.
“No comment?” Ari turned around and gave him cop eyes.
“What do you want me to say, Arianna? You were not around for many months. Life went on.”
“So, who is she?” When he hesitated, Ari wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer. A casual lover? Something more? Ari feared they were moving onto thin ice. She’d come to set things right with him, and this wasn’t a good start. Maybe she should