Page 12 of Night Moves

“I’ve got breakfast warming and Raven and Diego are going to bring more food, toys and a highchair. Do you mind holding her while I dish up the food. Then I can feed her while you eat.”

She nods. “I-I’m glad you have good friends to help. I-ah-maybe I should go, get out of your way. You have your friends.”

“Please stay. Willow, I could really use your help a few more days. They can’t help with Eizlee. Besides, she trusts you and so do I. I’ll double the pay. Please stay.”

She starts to shake her head. “No, I don’t need more money. It’s… I don’t want to be in the way.”

“You aren’t. You’re a life saver right now. And the baby’s security.

“It’s just a few more days. She doesn’t deserve to have any more drastic changes in her life. There are some things I need to do. She knows you and it’s obvious she loves you. Both of you will be safe here. I promise.

“Think about it while we eat.”

Remembering that Vicky made happy face pancakes and bacon for breakfast when I was here. I made a stack with bacon on the side for all of us and place the oven tray on the counter. The syrup is already warmed.

Eizlee sits on Willow’s lap and immediately sticks her finger in the pancake as I slide her plate across the counter to her. “Eye.”

“Yes. Sweet girl. That’s an eye.”

Willow smiles and kisses the top of her head. Cradling her in her lap, she cuts bites and feeds them to her in between the bites of bacon.

Raven and Diego show up with the requested supplies a couple hours later. He’s carrying the highchair in one arm and slaps the special order against my chest with the other. “Sure as hell hope you have an explanation for that.”

“I do. Will you help Willow with the groceries? I’ll be right back.”

The timing is perfect since we just put Eizlee down for her nap. After changing, I pour fresh coffee for all and carry the tray to the living room.

After everyone’s seated, I pull out a folding chair from the closet and place it across from them and take my place.

“Have you learned anything more?” I ask.

“The club sold about five years ago to a privately owned company. I’m trying to find out who’s behind the new ownership and the name. Diego reached out to his cyber guru but we’re still waiting. I want this damn Ryrden and his cronies.”

“What do you know about Swagger the club?” I ask. “The male dancers? Have there been other missing staff, waitress or bartenders reported?”

“Not specifically tied to the club. To get their employment records to cross reference deaths I’d have to get a subpoena. For that I’d have to have a damn good reason.

“The department gets the bodies, we don’t always know where the people worked. And if the families don’t contest the death…. We don’t have the manpower.”

“The cops on the take, they’re good,” I add. “Covering their bases. Probably hand in hand with the new management. Using fake names. Given what happened to my sister I’d say this isn’t the first time they’ve set up like this.”

“I’d agree.” She grimaces. “If we could get photos. But your guy said there’s no cameras inside that he could tap into and nothing on the street outside.

“So, what we need is someone on the inside who can get us photos or info on the guy calling himself Ryrden.”

“No. I won’t risk any of my officers. It’s too dangerous until we know more. If they are cops, they could recognize my people.”

“I’m not talking any of your officers. I’m talking about a dancer, a player who can buddy up and play the role. I’m talking about me.”

“It won’t work. You need to have years of training to be a dancer. You can’t just walk in and drop your pants and sell it.”

“You know I grew up in Vegas, my mom was a stripper and a hooker?”

“And reading a book on surgery doesn’t make you a surgeon,” she snaps back.

“I can do this.”

“No, absolutely not,” Raven snaps. “I’m in charge of this investigation and it’s a hell no. You have to be able to do more than wiggle your ass to be a dancer.”

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