at one of the club’s older members. “Hello, Ronald. How are you tonight?”
“Might ask you the same thing.” He smiled and waggled his brows. Despite his age, Ronald loved demonstrating his open mind, and Lindsey gave him every credit.
“Ronald, this is my friend, Seth Zakowsky.”
The old man leaned across the table and shook Seth’s big hand. “Glad to meet you. Any friend of Lindsey’s, as they say.” He looked back at Lindsey. “I heard via the hush-hush grapevine what you did for Dave and I wanted to say thank you.”
Lindsey shook his head. “Didn’t do a thing. As it turned out, it wasn’t necessary.”
Ronald chuckled. “Thanks to Super Granny. Who on earth do you suppose she is?”
Lindsey glanced at Seth, whose eyebrows were so drawn together they touched. “Uh, no idea, darling.”
“They say she’s really tall. Maybe a man, do you think?”
Well, damn. How to get out of this gracefully? “The girls she’s saved say she sounds and acts like a granny. Who knows?” He shrugged and sipped his vermouth.
Ronald clapped his hands together once. “Kind of exciting having a superhero on our hands. Right here in Connecticut. Just like the movies.”
Hell. “Actually, she’s pretty fun to think about, but I’ll bet she’s a nightmare to the police.”
“Oh? How so?”
Seth stared at Lindsey like he’d finally said something interesting.
“Think about it. An old woman insinuating herself into these frightening, dangerous situations. My heavens, the police might just as easily have to rescue her along with the people she’s trying to save. Hasn’t she heard of 911?”
“You have a good point there, Lindsey.” Ronald nodded to himself. “But I sure am glad these kidnappers appear to have been stopped in their tracks by having their latest victim rescued. My God, people couldn’t sleep at night for fear of what might happen.”
“Let’s hope they have been stopped.” Lindsey glanced at Seth.
The old man’s eyes widened. “You don’t think they’ll try again?”
Lindsey fanned himself with his hand. “Heaven forefend, but they haven’t caught them. Not the ringleaders, anyway.”
“Well, I’m going to think positive.” Ronald grinned and shoved an elbow against Lindsey’s shoulder. “And if they come back, we’ve still got Super Granny.” He laughed. “Thanks again, Lindsey. You and your whole family are a credit to your good name. See you soon. Good to meet you, Seth.”
He walked off, still chuckling.
Seth leaned forward. “I’m so glad you fucking get it about this damned vigilante. She, he, whatever, is a threat to the whole case.”
“I really said that just to subdue the superhero mentality.” He frowned. “Surely she’s not as bad as all that.” WTF. He had rescued Carla.
“She’s every bit as bad as you said. God, she could get in the line of fire and the public would castigate the police for killing a civilian. She’s messing with crime scenes and probably contaminating evidence. She—”
“Pardon me, sir. Your table is ready.”
Saved by the ma?tre d’! “Thank you, Peter.” He jumped up. Two more minutes of hearing Seth damn his rescue efforts and grandma just might turn into the big bad wolf.
He walked toward the dining room and assumed Seth would catch up.
Ironically, Peter had chosen the same romantic table he’d seated Lindsey at with Bruce. Moonlight, privacy, candles. Peter walked behind the chair to hold it for Lindsey and Seth stepped in front of him. “Thanks, I’ve got it.”
My oh my.
The big guy pulled out the chair and scooted it under Lindsey’s butt as he sat. Seth’s voice came from over Lindsey’s shoulder, his breath tickling his ear—and his balls. “I’ve got an idea. How about we don’t charge the department for this? What if I just get the check? Then we don’t have to talk about crime the whole damned meal.”
“What a lovely idea.” Of course, he’d pay for it, but no use dampening the chivalry at this point.
Seth crossed to his chair, and Peter sprang to hold it for him. Seth nodded. “Thanks.”
Lindsey smiled at Peter. “Would you arrange for some lovely, dry champagne, please?”
“Your favorite, sir?”
“Yes, please.”
Peter walked away and Lindsey gazed at Seth. “Never fear. My treat.”
“Wasn’t fearing.”
Cute. The waiter brought the menus. Seth took his and started reading it. “What’s good here?”
Oh, what the hell. “You look pretty delicious, but aside from that, I’d recommend the filet or the sole.”
Seth stared at him with his mouth slightly open. “Okay.”
“Sorry. I just thought I’d stop playing around.” He looked down at his menu. “What would you like to eat?”
“You.”
Lindsey glanced up and his breath stopped. What was he doing?