Eight
Jack’s breath caresses the shell of my ear as he bends closer to me. “How do you want to play this?” He asks so I can hear him over the loud music.
I ignore the shiver that runs down my spine. “I think we should just approach him calmly. If we ask him to come with us, he may freak out and run if he is hiding something.”
“So, you want to walk up to his table and say hi?” Jack asks with a raised brow. “Isn’t that just as likely to make him bolt?”
I offer him a shrug. “I guess it depends on how we go about it.” When I turn to head to the suspect’s table near the wide, rectangular stage, Jack grabs my arm. Ignoring the fire racing up my arm at the contact, I whirl on him. “What did I say about grabbing me, Khoury?”
He immediately releases me. “Sorry.” He runs a hand through his black hair. “I just think we need to be more cautious. Rushing at him isn’t the way to go about it. Let’s observe him for a bit at the bar.”
I perk up at the mention of alcohol. “Okay, let’s have a drink.”
He shoots me a suspicious look but nods. Score! “Alright. It’ll look more authentic, I suppose,” he begins. “We should act like a couple then.”
Really? A couple at a titty bar? “How many couples do you think really go to a strip club? It’s not very romantic.”
“You don’t strike me as the romantic type.” Jack bends closer once again. “Besides, I happen to know that some couples like voyeurism.” He presses his hand to the small of my back and leads my speechless ass to the bar.
I swallow my surprise and look at him over my shoulder. “Voyeurism or shopping for a third for the evening?”
He lifts a brow at me. “What, you don’t like another woman in the bedroom?”
“Are you making assumptions about my sexuality, Detective Khoury?” I purr as we get to the bar and take a seat.
He doesn’t need to know that I’ve tasted more than a few women before. None of them lasted longer than a night or two. In fact, Seth was the longest consistent bed partner I ever had. But again, Jack doesn’t need to know that.
The fucker has the audacity to smirk at me as he slides into a barstool. “I think I would be in for a rude awakening if I assumed anything about you.”
I give him my most innocent smile before turning to the bartender and ordering a rum and coke.
“Two, please.” Jack swivels in his seat so he’s facing me, but I know he’s keeping our suspect in his peripheral.
Copying him, I turn as well but have to place my knees between his so we don’t knock them together. Plus, I’m wearing a skirt and the world doesn’t need to see the scrap of lace I call underwear.
He tentatively puts his hands on my knees and gives me a small questioning glance. When I nod, he grabs them more firmly. I know he’s doing it for our cover, but damn does heat flare up my thighs. He jerks his head towards our suspect. “There’s a girl with him now.”
I lean towards him with a flirty smile. “If he is the murderer, do you think she’s potentially the next victim?”
“Could be,” he agrees. He leans slightly away when the bartender drops our drinks off. He reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out a twenty for our drinks.
I pick mine up and discreetly watch Josh as I swallow down a healthy gulp. Josh Hastings is a thin man with too-pale skin covered in pock marks. His brown hair falls into his eyes, and even from here, I can see the light reflecting off the grease in it. He’s leaning towards the dancer, the girl laughing a little too loudly at whatever he was saying. How much time do these dancers waste listening to their client’s bullshit? I don’t have enough patience for that shit. I would have punched someone by now.
Feeling Jack’s stare, I turn my attention back to him. “What?”
He looks at my glass. “Do you drink a lot?”
“What business is that of yours?” Even as the words come out, I know they sound defensive.
“Considering you’re my partner, it’s my business. Don’t think I forgot how you reeked of alcohol at the last crime scene.” His dark grey eyes take on a gleam of concern. “I saw the empty bottles in your trash.”
I bristle at the mention of the miniature bottles. “Snooping through my work trash now?”
“They weren’t exactly hidden.” He points out. “Do you need help?”
More than he’ll ever know. Instead of saying that, I down the rest of my drink and swivel away from him. “They’re getting up. Let’s go.”
“Looks like they’re heading towards the VIP area where the body was found.” Jack murmurs, keeping close behind me.