Page 64 of The Mouse and the Maestro

No one recognized them. They showed up at the rendezvous point on time, a broken down warehouse two blocks from the underground hacker bar. Blue held the door for Jane, and they walked in side by side.

“I’m sorry, this building is closed,” Ridge said almost absently before dropping whatever was in his hands and doing an almost comedic double take. Maggie and Babs stared at them, mouths agape. Only Ethan maintained the ability to speak.

“You’ve been to see Amelia,” he noted.

“He knows Amelia?” Jane whispered.

“I hope so, he’s married to her,” Blue replied.

“Secretly married, Blue,secretly,” Ethan reminded him.

“It’s okay, she’s one of us,” Blue said.

“I guess that’s true,” Ethan said, shrugging as she turned his back to them and resumed whatever conversation he and Ridge had been having.

“Your hair’s not blue,” Maggie blurted, staring at Blue’s head.

“But look, Jane’s is. That’s so cute,” Babs said, linking arms with Maggie as they stared at Jane and Blue.

“Aw,” Maggie said. “Oh, his tie is blue. My sister is a genius.”

“Seriously, you guys look like you should be on the cover of a magazine,” Babs agreed. “LikeSteampunk Monthlyor something.”

“Or, I don’t know, working?” Ridge suggested, slipping his arm around Maggie and giving her a squeeze.

“We’re trying. Not our fault everyone is gawking,” Blue said.

“But you’re so adorable, Blue,” Ethan said, pinching his cheek.

“That’s it, you’re getting hacked. Good luck getting into your car, building, credit cards, or bank account,Becket,” Blue threatened.

“Good luck getting home alive, Bishop,” Ethan countered.

“On second thought, I may have been a bit hasty,” Blue recanted.

“That’s my pal,” Ethan said, patting his shoulder. “Now let me see your gun.”

“This is so sudden; I barely know you,” Blue replied.

Ethan held out his hand, waiting for the weapon. “Good luck, Jane.”

“What are you talking about? Jane’s getting married to another man in two weeks,” Blue replied.

All heads swiveled to stare collectively at Jane who immediately panicked. “I’m not. Not. Not, not. Not.”

“She means she’s not comfortable being stared at like the main attraction at a freak show. Eyes on your own papers, people,” Blue said, and everyone busied themselves not staring at Jane. “Sorry,” Blue mouthed to Jane.

“Not,” Jane said once more, and he sputtered a laugh before Ridge grabbed everyone’s attention.

“Ethan, the gun good?”

“Gun’s good,” Ethan replied, handing it back to Blue. “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.”

“Really?” Blue said.

Ethan snorted. “No. By that time you’re already dead.”

“This is your first time mentoring someone, huh?” Blue said.

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