Page 41 of Veiled Justice
‘Is that why you come to these things?’ I asked. ‘To collect blackmail material?’
Jingo laughed. ‘So cynical for one so young.’ The comment gave me pause. If he could swap bodies ad infinitum, just how old was he? ‘I’m here for fun, Inspector Wise, just like you. I’m just whiling away the hours with a little gossip.’ He raised his champagne glass again, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
I couldn’t let him get under my skin but, as I moved away from him, I couldn’t help feeling I was missing something.
‘Goodbye, Wise,’ he called mockingly, much like I had done to Hanlon.
Like Hanlon, I didn’t look back.
Chapter 21
Krieg and I decided to split up. All eyes were being drawn to him, so I could stay under the radar and I moved through the party, questioning everyone who I recognised as having attended Quintos’s party. I kept my comments light, mostly asking whether they’d seen the fireworks last night and who else had been watching them. Not a soul had seen Quintos, Katz, Squiggins, Montague, Louisa or Verona. My suspect pool was annoyingly big.
A professional photographer and a videographer were moving through the glittering crowd, capturing the festive atmosphere and the wealthy elite at their most glamourous. I did my best to avoid both of them; I was neither wealthy nor of the elite, and I had no wish to become part of Louisa’s latest home movie.
‘Bloody hell,’ a familiar voice said from beside me. ‘I didn’t even know you knew how to wear a dress.’
‘Fuck off, Rupert,’ I said pleasantly to my brother. He was dressed in a light-grey suit with a white shirt and a pale pink tie. His dark hair was freshly cut, with sharp shaved sides and a messy quiff on top. He looked good but I’d rather poke out my eyes than tell him that.
He grinned and his dark eyes lit up with mischief. ‘It’s so weird. You actually look like a girl.’
‘Again, fuck off, Rupert.’
He laughed then gave me a kiss on the cheek and a champagne flute. ‘I’m on the job,’ I murmured as I tried to refuse the glass.
‘Of course you are,’ he muttered back. ‘Buteveryoneis drinking, so hold the damned thing. Treat it like a prop.’
He was annoyingly right, so I took the damned glass. I was thirsty and I desperately wanted to sip it despite not really being a champagne girl. Give me a Dr P anytime.
I studied my brother. ‘You decided to come, then.’
He saluted me. ‘Thank you, Captain Obvious.’ He grew serious. ‘Ava wanted to come. She’s good friends with a lot of this crowd.’
‘Have you got imposter syndrome?’
He grimaced. ‘Big time. She’s out of my league, and she’ll realise it at some point.’
Oh boy. I sighed. ‘You’re not totally ugly, you know. And you’re pretty smart – for a lawyer.’
Rupe grinned. ‘This is physically hurting you, isn’t it?’
‘Shut up.’
He snickered. Ava approached us with a warm smile. She still looked a little on the pale side but maybe that was because of the pale dress she was wearing. The pink, floor-length confection had spaghetti straps and a V-neck that was clinging valiantly to her generous curves. Like mine, it had a split up the front to reveal her long, shapely legs and shoes that glittered with what could actually be real diamonds.
‘Ava,’ I greeted her warmly. ‘You look lovely.’
‘Stacy.’ She gave me two air kisses, like we were suddenly French. ‘Oh là là!’ Her gaze swept me up and down. ‘You look divine. Vivienne Delaney?’
‘What?’
‘The dress. It must be one of Viv’s.’
I blinked. ‘I have no idea. Krieg got it for me.’
Her lips parted. ‘High King Krieg bought you that dress?’
‘And the shoes and the bag.’ I shrugged. ‘I didn’t have anything suitable to wear and we needed to blend in.’
