Page 40 (1/2)

"Copy," I said

Escorting her was the mystery man, Shoffru He arthy-skinned for a va toward his chin, like the finger of beard that defined his jaw He earing a tuxedo, the suit, shirt, and cuht black, and his tie and shirt were both undone and hanging loose to reveal his chest and the thick black hair , athletic, and walked with a hip-rolling swagger that looked like trouble He also looked as if he’d been drinking, and maybe he had been, va about his lifestyle in the last hundred years, but he acted like a Naturaleza, well s, thick, inch-diaht have taken from a plundered ship Last, and really weird, was the lizard on his shoulder It was a bright green with darker green stripes down its sides, and its snout was up, tongue flicking as it took in the roofellow, but hadn’t expected to see it at a for in the roo himself as owner Proprietary That was Jack Oh yeah Trouble in a Tux, with lizard Should be a drink na out around the couple were va a woman who looked like a pirate herself, her face and ears studded and beringed, a sword hanging low on her hips Why was she carrying a sword? No one but Pellissier security had been alloeapons But the thought evaporated The woman was Jack’s heir, I deduced, from her position beside him I blinked and the vision of the wo seeure what She slid froht inblack, encircling Adrianna like a rose delivered in a black velvet box

I remembered the buses, chartered in Galveston, and had aout the s at New Orleans, like fanghead tourists The reek of unknown va, and I bit led, acrid stench When I could talk, I said, "So the invitation got theh security, and the invite means we can’t shoot or stake thereeel Tit "You seeing this?"

"Yeah You want it broadcast?"

"Yes" I tapped again and said, "Everyone check your cells The wo dude is Adrianna, the va For now, she has what amounts to diplomatic immunity and is to be treated with absolute deference, unless she starts trouble" I thought for a ht, things could get dicey if she vamps out, especially with so many humans around, so everyone keep cool In the event of trouble, hold fire, I repeat, hold fire, unless I give the word, and even then hts

"Wrassler, make sure Leo is informed of all this Derek, send three more of your people into the hallway Switch to infrared or low-light opticals as needed, should the lights go out," I said The instructions on tactics were totally unnecessary--Derek’s guys knew their business--but the huht not be as well trained Plus, I wanted it on tape, recorded, just in case the poop hit the prop "Those with no low-light gear, hit the deck if the lights go out so the line of fire is free" That got ular HQ security staff, but I ignored them

"Copy," Wrassler said into my earpiece "Copy," Derek echoed

I tapped offwhat I had to say next to be heard "Gee Nothing says we can’t follow them when they leave and take them then"

"True If opportunity presents itself, I will follow the, but staking Shoffru isn’t ait strong, her skirt trapped between her legs, the outfit not made for a deter about this?" Jodi asked, reaching my side

"Because you’re a cop and this has problem written all over it?" I asked

She slid a hand into a slit in her skirt and I knew she was readying her service weapon "Yeah, well, when the dust settles, remind me that we need to chat You can buy uestdirectly toward the couple who still stood frarace, he swept three chane flutes off a waiter’s tray Jodi cursed Without appearing to hurry, Rick quickly reached the arched opening and presented the couple with two of the glasses They chatted, Rick’s body language seelass, al to toast the, all s But the tension the tco did seeh , I felt the MOC’s fury and his speed