Page 2 of Counter Attack

“Was she your friend or something?” the waitress asked.

“Something like that.”

Victims four and five, Maria Brooks and Trinity Collins, had been at the bar earlier on the nights they were killed, and Alex had almost made the fatal mistake of sounding like a cop. And now she didn’t dare ask if Kayla knew Maria Brooks.

Kayla jumped as someone called her name, and Alex followed her gaze to the same man who’d raised his glass to Alex earlier. “Houdini probably wants another scotch and water,” she said with a shudder.

“Houdini?” She was surprised Kayla even knew who the dead magician was.

The girl giggled. “Yeah. He comes for a while then he disappears for a month or so.”

“Get it,” Alex said. “And I’ll take it to him.”

“You don’t mind? He gives me the willies, but I have to be nice to him since he’s a friend of the owner.”

“I don’t mind at all.” Houdini was sounding more interesting by the minute.

Alex slid a hose-clad leg from the barstool and stood, straightening the leather skirt while she covertly checked the small Sig at her back. Normally she wore it attached to her sports bra, but the low-cut blouse ruled out that option. At least the top hung loosely past her waist. She glanced down, making one last check to verify the top didn’t reveal too much cleavage.

With a pasted-on smile, she took the drink Kayla handed her and walked toward Houdini’s table. There was a small chance he was the person she was looking for.

3

Well, well,” Houdini said as he took the drink she offered. “I thought you weren’t interested.”

“Maybe I am, and maybe I’m not. What’s your name, handsome?” She couldn’t very well call him Houdini. And he was good-looking in a movie-star kind of way. Perfectly styled hair, icy blue eyes, rugged face, and pearly white teeth. His clothes looked as though he’d had them tailor-made.

“Reggie. And yours?”

A fake name if she’d ever heard one. “Lexie.” It was one of the nicknames she’d been given over the years. Alex glanced at his ring finger.

“Nope, not married.”

At least he was sharp. “Maybe you’ve never worn a wedding band.”

“Believe me, honey, if I’d ever gotten married, I would’ve worn one.”

“So, Reggie, what do you do?”

“Would you believe me if I said I was a preacher?”

She eyed the drink in his hand.

“Hey! Some preachers drink.”

“Not in the Bible Belt.” At least she didn’t know of any.

“Guess I forgot where I was.” Then he winked. “Reckon I blew that one.”

“You blew that one when you walked in the door.”

“You’re funny. You want to cut to the chase or play the dating game?”

“I’m not going home with you, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”

His eyes turned cold as he raised the scotch to his lips. “Then don’t waste my time.”

Alex shivered at how fast he’d gone from warm and inviting to ice cold. “I’m not going to say it was nice talking to you.”

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