"I'll do it before I head to the Blue Moon." He hesitated, then added with a grin, "You do realize that if you keep giving him stuff like this to do, he's going to become a permanent fixture in your life? I don't think he's ever enjoyed himself as much as he has in the last few days."
I smiled. "Just tell him my life isn't always this exciting. And don't forget you're working tonight. If you don't show, I'm walking down to the Blue Moon to drag your ass back."
He grinned. "Jackie's in the kitchen. She's more than capable."
"Jackie is, but the Lisbornes come in tonight, and they want your special burgers. And don't say Jackie's capable of making them, because you're Mrs. Lisborne's favorite chef—and if she wants you, she gets you. She's bringing in a lot of customers."
He rolled his eyes. "The old dear gets very touchy-feely. You know that, don't you?"
"Most of our other customers do, too. We cater to werewolves—it goes with the territory." I dropped another kiss on his lips, then added with a grin, "And you can thank your lucky stars you're such a good chef, or we'd have you out there charming the customers at every shift."
"Thanks, but no thanks." He half spun around, then waved me forward. "You'd better get going, or your mom is going to be calling to see what the delay is."
He had that right. I grabbed a cardigan to put over my semi-transparent shirt, then headed out.
After doing a quick check for bugs, I climbed onto my bike and started her up. It didn't take me long to get into the city, but parking was hell. Ever since they'd made the inner-city area a car-free zone, the outer streets had become more clogged than ever, which meant parking had been banned twenty-four/seven. So parking lots were like gold. I ended up in one outside the central-city area—past Jeff's Shed, in fact—then jogging back.
Southern Cross Station, with its undulating roofline that always reminded me of mounds of snow, came into view. I found the information desk and, through them, the locker area. But I didn't go over there immediately, instead hanging around the station to see if there was anybody—other than me—lurking about suspiciously.
No one seemed to be, and I couldn't sense or smell anyone who set off internal alarms. After taking a deep, somewhat shaky breath, I headed in.
There were several other people present, either retrieving or depositing goods. I ignored them, though my nose registered their scents and I was hyper-aware of every move they made. Locker 97 was easy enough to find, and there was nothing outwardly suspicious about it.
I shoved the key into the lock and opened it. Inside sat a folded piece of paper. I opened it. Explanation at one A.M., it said, Sandpiper's Inn, Charles Street, Seddon. The back door will be unlocked. Come alone, or I won't appear.
And that was it. No name and no clue as to who had sent it. But it was in the same bold writing as the letter that had held the key, so I guess that was something.
I closed the locker, pocketed the note and the key, and headed out. If I wanted an explanation as to what was really going on, then I had no option but to do as the note asked. But it was risky given I had no idea just who might be behind it.