Page 72 of D for Dead

She snuck an arm around Amy as her friend approached for her own tray, noticing the distracted look on her face. ‘You okay, honey?’

‘Yeah, sure, I just…’ Amy hesitated before having a change of heart. ‘It was nothing.’

‘I’m going out for a smoke. You okay to watch my tables?’

‘Yeah, sure.’

As Fran made her way to the door, it opened and she recognised the man who stepped inside. He was the other detective who had been at Amy’s apartment. The cute one: Sullivan, she remembered. She glanced back at her friend, noticed her clock Sullivan, didn’t miss the slightly flustered look on her face, and made a note to question her later. Smiling sweetly at the detective, Fran slipped through the door he held open for her, almost regretting going out for a cigarette. Things looked like they could be getting interesting.

Leon was on the door and, as things were quiet with most of the customers already inside, he joined her for a smoke. As they usually did, the two of them discussed music. They were both fans of hard rock and spent a lot of time debating the best bands and recommending new artists to each other.

‘You heard the Deftones new album?’

‘Not yet.’ Leon rubbed a hand over his bald head. ‘It’s on my list.’

‘I’ve got it in my car if you want to borrow it for a listen.’

‘Yeah, okay. Thanks.’

Fran stubbed out her cigarette, reached for her car keys in the back pocket of her jeans.

‘Be right back.’

The parking lot was well lit and packed out. Saturday nights were busy and the staff made sure they parked the furthest away from the bar, leaving the better spaces for the patrons. Fran’s Buick was at the end of the row, sheltered by overhanging trees. She unlocked and opened the passenger door. Sitting down, she started rummaging in the glovebox for the CD.

So much crap in here, Fran.

She found the case, swore when she discovered it was empty. As she started the hunt for the disc, a clicking sound and a rustle from the bushes startled her and she dropped the case. She glanced around and saw no one.

‘Is that you, Leon?’

Telling herself to stop being an idiot, she picked up the case and continued to hunt for the disc.

* * *

Nadine ditched Troy at the movie theatre.

After leaving the restaurant she had voiced her intent to visit the Velvet Lounge. Troy had tried to talk her out of it, telling her it was a stupid idea, and their disagreement had resulted in a fight.

It had been Nadine doing most of the shouting. Well, okay, all the shouting. Troy was more controlled than her, which she found irritating. There was heat behind his eyes and she wanted him to snap, to fight back. Eventually her voice had grown hoarse and she had become weary from shouting. She had sulked as he had dragged her to the movie theatre then, on a whim, ditched him while he queued for the tickets. She figured he knew where she was heading and would come after her.

Except he didn’t.

Nadine found herself approaching the Velvet Lounge, her bravado disappearing by the second, knowing she had no backup and would be entering a place where Amy was surrounded by work colleagues and friends. She entered the parking lot, noting the bouncer on the door and, instead of approaching him, made her way around the side of the building.

Perhaps there was a back entrance she could sneak in through.

* * *

He watched and he waited.

Confident the time was right to make his move, he started the engine, pulled out of the parking lot across the street and into the one belonging to the Velvet Lounge.

The place was rammed and there were no spots by the entrance. But that was good. He would pull up around the back of the building, leave the van with the engine running and the door open, ready to move in quick and make his getaway. Finding a suitable spot, he pulled to a halt, exited the van.

It was time to go fetch the next victim.

* * *