Moonstone: A Jinx Hamilton Wrecking Crew Novella by Juliette Harper

Author:Juliette Harper [Harper, Juliette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781943516681
Publisher: Skye House Publishing, LLC
Published: 2018-08-05T22:00:00+00:00

8

At the security station, the guard gave my fake credentials a cursory glance. “Bags through the X-ray, sir,” he droned. “Please empty your pockets. Do you have an artificial hip?”

I lifted the case onto the conveyor belt and made a mental note to talk to Rube about laying off the potato chips. I swear he’d gained weight in the last hour.

“No artificial hip,” I said, “but I do have a hearing aid.”

“Devices of that nature don’t count,” the guard said in a monotone. He stifled a yawn, and added, “Step through, sir.”

When I didn’t set off the metal detector, the guy mumbled something about wishing me a nice day. I moved to the side and hoisted the case to the floor intentionally letting it bounce.

“You did that on purpose,” Rube accused in my ear. “Unless you can cook up a good story about why your computer has sprung a leak, ixnay with the bumps already.”

Coughing to cover my response, I said, “Serves you right for snacking on the job and for sucking up to the parrot.”

“Geez, Festus,” he said. “Feathers or not, Jilly’s a lady. I was just being gentleman like. Try it sometime.”

“In case you didn’t notice,” I growled, “my charms were lost on the lady.”

“When are you cats and birds gonna get over that opposing instinct thing?” Rube asked. “You and Rodney do okay.”

“Rat Boy’s different,” I said grudgingly. “Now shut up before people start thinking I’m talking to myself.”

We passed through two rows of anemic ficus trees to reach the central desk. I presented my credentials to a pretty, dark-haired woman wearing a name tag that read, “Lucy George, Concierge.”

“Hello,” I said. “F. James McGregor. A mutual acquaintance, Ms. Pepperdine, wanted me to mention nightingales to you.”

The overly chipper expression disappeared from the young woman’s face, replaced by shadowed, but keen awareness.

“Jilly filled me in,” Lucy said. “I’ve already expunged your scheduled appointment from the building record. Here’s your elevator keycard. I disabled the tracking chip. These are the keys to the empty office suite. If you go to the left of the far line of ficus trees and hug the wall, you’ll be out of sight of the security cameras.”

Stunned by her efficiency, all I could manage was a weak, “Thank you.”

Next she handed me a business card. “Call the number on the back,” she instructed. “It’s my direct line. When you’re ready to take the penthouse elevator, I’ll make sure no one is watching.”

“You’re good,” I said and meant it.

Lucy smiled. “Coming for a werecat, that’s a considerable compliment.”

“Agent Pepperdine and I got off to a bad start,” I said defensively, “but not all werecats are anti-avian.”

“I’ll tell her you said so. Good hunting, Agent McGregor.”

Taking the route she suggested, I entered the elevator car. A thumping sound immediately started up inside the case.

“What the heck are you doing in there?” I asked Rube

“Trying not to wet my fur,” he said. It sounded like his teeth were clenched. “Speed it up, will you?”

Snickering, I said, “It’s not like I can get out and push the elevator, Rube.

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