Page 14 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume

However, pretty much everyone at The Rainbow Room were very vocal about not wanting him to leave, as they are all family. From what I hear, there were a lot of very dramatic tears and tantrums. Not really wanting to leave completely anyway, Chan stayed on, and Ari being Ari, he found the best place for Chan’s talents. Now Chan organises a lot of the special events, helps out with costumes and choreography, and does anything else he can. He’s still very much involved; the only difference is that he doesn’t perform anymore. And while Ari wasn’t exactly happy about losing one of his headliners, he admits the new shine the events have is bringing new clientele to the place without losing their regulars.

At first, I was a bit worried about Chan making what seemed like a snap decision. Dusty was feeling really guilty like she’d held Chan back and I was concerned about him making a lot of changes in such a small space of time, but I have to admit it was the right thing for him. He’s so much more happy and relaxed now. Even when he’s apparently taking charge of Christmas for the rest of us.

“I thought someone should supervise the Christmas dinner unless we want a repeat of last year,” Chan says, fisting his hand on his cocked hip and looking incredibly stunning.

My gaze runs over the gold-sequinned midi dress that clings to his body like a second skin and the four-inch heels on his feet. His long, glossy hair hangs poker-straight down his back, almost brushing his buttocks, and his face is flawlessly contoured with incredible gold and black eye makeup and deep blush-coloured lipstick.

“You’re going to cook in that?” I ask dubiously.

“Of course not.” He looks at me as if I’m mad, then rummages in his bag and pulls out a folded piece of material. “I’m going to be wearing an apron.”

“Oh, well then,” I reply and then pause. “Do you even know how to cook a Christmas dinner? Because Danny tends to just open his laptop and let Gordon Ramsey yell at him through whatever he’s trying to prepare.”

“Of course I can cook,” Chan replies in exasperation. “That’s one of the first things my mum taught me and my sister. I mean, I’m pretty sure she only did it so we’d be independent and leave home quicker, but the results are the same. I make an awesome roast dinner.”

“It’s true, he does,” Dusty’s voice suddenly pipes up behind me.

I glance surreptitiously in her direction and stifle a little huff of amusement. She’s wearing a tiny red velvet minidress edged in white fur and her gold knee-high boots sparkle. Her wig is an enormous pale-blonde beehive with a heavy sweeping fringe that looks like it’s been stolen from Nancy Sinatra. But the icing on the cake has to be the large red bow nestled on top of her head.

I don’t answer Dusty outright on account of Aidan’s presence, but the kid isn’t stupid. Although we haven’t come right out and confessed to just how truly bizarre our lives are, he’s been around us long enough to start picking stuff up. Not to mention how often he’s around Death, who Aidan’s taken to calling Grim.

Chan shoots Dusty a wink and turns back to me. “So, are you going over to your dad’s?”

“Yeah, we were just about to get showered and head over,” I reply, the worry returning.

Chan nods. “I figured as much, which is another reason I thought I’d help out with the cooking. I might as well get everything moving along while you’re out, then you don’t have to worry about hurrying back.”

“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely.

“Of course, darling.” He opens his mouth to say something else, but something behind me catches his attention.

I turn to see Jacob Marley slinking out of our bedroom. He’s heading towards us with something in his mouth and trailing underneath him. There’s a chunk of torn wrapping paper taped to his tail and a discarded bow stuck to his fur.

“Hello, handsome boy,” Chan coos as he scoops him up off the floor. “What have you got here?”

Chan tugs at the item still locked in Jacob Marley’s teeth and the cat purrs very loudly, not at all inclined to let go of his bounty. Chan lifts it and eyes it before barking out a laugh.

“Oh my god!” His eyes widen. “Is this a thong made of candy?”

I sigh deeply and close my eyes, and this time it’s my face that’s red as a brick.

4

Iclimb out of the car and head around to the back where Danny’s already pulling out a small stack of neatly wrapped gifts. Holding out my arms, I wait while he piles up all the things we need to take inside with us.

“Which of these do you want?” He holds up two large tubs of chocolate, one of Celebrations and one of Cadbury’s Roses.

“Both,” I decide. “We can leave them on the reception desk for the rest of the staff.”

Nodding in agreement, he tucks them under one arm and reaches up to close the boot and lock the car.

I turn toward the building and jolt in shock, stopping so abruptly that Danny almost collides with the back of me. “Oh my Christ,” I exclaim at Dusty, who’s popped up out of nowhere. “Dusty! I wish you’d stop sneaking up on me. I’m going to end up with a nervous disposition and blood pressure issues at this rate.” I gasp as I try to right the presents that almost wobble out of my grip.

“Sorry,” Dusty says brightly. She doesn’t seem the least bit sorry. In fact, she seems to be studying me like she’s looking for something specific.

Her gaze drops to my mitten-covered hands clutching the stack of gifts.

“What?” I ask.