Harlequin Intrigue October 2019, Box Set 2 of 2 by Barb Han

Author:Barb Han
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Now you remember what I told you?” Jamie adjusted the cat ears atop Donna’s head, then looked her sister in the eye. “Tell me.”

“I’m to stay with Henry and his mom and not talk to strangers.” Donna smoothed the end of the long tail attached to the back of her leggings. “But if everyone is in costume, how will I know if they’re a stranger or not?”

Donna had a point. Jamie figured most people would recognize her and Donna, despite Donna’s painted-on whiskers and pink nose, and the feathered mask Jamie had added to her own jester’s getup. But if someone went all out with a full mask or a furry suit or something, identification might be difficult. “If you’re not sure you know someone, ask their name,” she said. “If they won’t tell you, or you don’t recognize the name, walk away. But the best thing is to stay with Henry and Mrs. O’Keefe.” Henry’s mom had volunteered to chaperone the couple, for which Jamie was deeply grateful. Though she and Donna were attending the charity ball to support those in need, Jamie planned on working, too, trying to spot a killer or killers among the partygoers.

To that end, she’d chosen a costume that allowed her to move, and run if necessary, and that made it easy to conceal her weapon. The multicolored satin tunic, black tights and flat shoes fit the bill perfectly, though she was sure she was in for a night of teasing from her fellow officers. She picked up the jester’s hat from the table by the door and handed Donna her coat. “Come on. We don’t want to be late.”

Volunteers had transformed the Eagle Mountain Community Center into a ballroom that was one part Mardi Gras excess and one part high school prom sentiment. Swaths of black and purple fabric draped the walls and white twinkle lights glowed everywhere. A mirrored disco ball straight out of the 1980s cast spangled light across the dance floor, where a Tyrannosaurus Rex gyrated with a veiled belly dancer and a firefighter in full bunker gear swayed with a woman in a hot pink, retro ski suit.

“Wow!” Donna gasped as she and Jamie waited in line to surrender their tickets.

“Hello, ladies.” Adelaide greeted Jamie and Donna when they reached the front of the line. “You both look very nice.” Adelaide had teased and sprayed her hair into a 1960s-style beehive and wore oversize hoop earrings and a pink-and-orange paisley minidress.

“What are you supposed to be?” Donna asked.

“I’m a go-go dancer.” She stood and lifted one leg to show off orange tights and white, knee-high boots. “Before your time, of course, but I remember those days fondly.”

Jamie returned the older woman’s grin. She could picture a younger Adelaide grooving to the beat in her psychedelic finery.

They moved farther into the room and surveyed the packed house. Most of the town must have turned out for the fund-raiser. “How are we ever going to find Henry?” Donna asked.

“We’ll look for him,” Jamie said.

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