Page 39 of Toxic Apple Turnovers
“How about we head back to my place and continue this slow dance?”
Everett speeds us back to Country Cottage Road, and we speed our way right into his living room.
We figure it all out and complicate things a heck of a lot more in the process.
Everett knows he’s my weakness, and he certainly isn’t playing fair.
Chapter 13
It took a google search—which yielded nothing, and a quick conversation with Hazel to learn that Slater works as a bartender at a place called the Devil’s Punchbowl, an upscale bar in Fallbrook.
I didn’t come right out and ask Hazel anything about her brother. I had to skirt the issue by way of hiring her to help with Keelie’s surprise engagement party. It turns out, Hazel’s price points are a bit steeper than her sister’s were, but she did say she would give me a significant discount if I brought her sister’s killer to justice. Of course, I assured her I would do my best to make this happen. And I plan to.
As soon as we hung up, I called the smarmy so-called upscale establishment to confirm whether or not Slater was on the schedule tonight, and thankfully he is.
And since I have no intention on showing up to a place called the Devil’s Punchbowl all by my lonesome, I rustled up my posse, which includes Lily, Naomi, and Alex—a threesome that is destined for heartbreak and maybe a broken nose or two—I should know, I’m still playing that horrific game—Cormack and Noah, Everett and myself. To be fair, Noah and Cormack are coming off a counseling session in the area. And honestly, she’s harder to ditch than a bad habit.
The entire lot of us congregates outside of the establishment and takes a moment to observe the neon pitchforks set at either side of the entry. A pair of elongated horns that gives the illusion they’re on fire sits above the threshold to the entry, pointing up at a flashing neon sign bearing its wicked moniker. A smaller neon sign boasts the fact that every night is karaoke night.
“Wonderful,” I say as I look to Everett. “I don’t suppose you’re up for doing a little crooning.”
“Not if my legal seat depended on it.”
“I’m in.” Cormack snaps her fingers as if she were already on stage.
“Me too,” Naomi coos into Alex’s ear.
Noah’s doppelgänger fights the goofy grin doing its best to erupt over his face. “I’m in, too.”
“Really?” Lily and I say in unison. You can bet I’ll be snagging a front row seat to hear Noah’s brother belt out a tune.
“Yes, really. Our mother had both Noah and me in choir for as long as I can remember. We’re both perfectly capable of carrying a tune.”
Both Naomi and Lily swoon hard.
Okay, so I’m silently swooning myself. There is nothing sexier than a hot detective that can carry a note.
“You’ll have to delight us, Detective Fox.” I try to keep it formal since Cormack is pawing all over him. He’s tried to casually deflect her, but she nearly fell over the last time and he ended up scooping her into his arms instead. I don’t doubt for a minute that Cormack knows what she’s doing.
Alex and his harem head inside.
Everett threads his arm through mine before looking to Noah. “Come on, choir boy. It’s showtime.”
Cormack giggles up a storm as we head on in, and instantly I’m both floored and offended by the atmosphere. Red lights glare down at us from above, giving the room a smoky hellish appeal, and I suppose that’s the point. Booths are strewn about with oversized cushioned leather backrests, and there are riding crops hanging from each one as if ready to use at the patron’s discretion. The counter of the bar is lined with handcuffs encased under a glass surface, and a bevy of ropes and other toys of sexual destruction hang in various places around the establishment.
The karaoke is going strong. And whoever that woman is up on stage, she’s killing it with a cover of a song I must have belted out myself a thousand times when I was in high school. But I can’t see her. The stage is far deeper inside the club, and I’ve already spotted Slater serving up drinks right here at the bar.
Noah leans in. His heady cologne holds the scent of every one of our carnal memories, and it makes me feel bad for indulging in that heavy-duty make-out session with Everett the other night. But, then again, Noah is fresh off his counseling session with his newly minted fiancée.
Naomi grabs ahold of Alex. “Let’s get in line for the karaoke. I’m thinking a duet. Something slow and romantic.” She glances to Lily. “Maybe you and that scary bartender can dance to it?”
Lily growls as they take off and head for the dance floor instead. No one is ever going to accuse Lily of being shy.
Cormack pulls Noah toward the dance floor. “Come on, Boss. Let’s show ’em what we’re made of.”
Everett’s chest bucks with a silent laugh. “Sing us a song while you’re at it.”
Noah rambles out twelve different excuses all at once just as the woman on stage hits a high note destined to shatter glass and eardrums alike.