Page 61 of Wild Oblivion

"Great. Come join us for a celebration.”

"I'll be there in a minute.” I ended the call and told the sheriff, "I need to go reel him in."

"Good luck with that,” he said in a doubtful voice.

I thanked him for lunch as we left the restaurant, then I hustled down the avenue to Forbidden Fruit. The sheriff went back to the station.

I flashed my badge at the entrance, and the cashier waved me through. I'm not going to say we were regulars at the establishment, but professional reasons had brought us here on occasion. Okay, maybe we were regulars.

Spotlights slashed the hazy air, and sultry music pumped through speakers. Mesmerizing beauties pranced around the stage, undulating in hypnotic ways in rhythm to the beat. Drooling guys stuffed dollar bills in G-strings as nubile goddesses teased and tantalized.

Jack and Henrik had front row seats at a table next to the main stage.

A gorgeous brunette with emerald eyes gave Henrik a lap dance. She slithered around his body and dangled her celestial orbs in his face. Henrik looked like a kid in a candy store, mesmerized by the sight.

I took a seat at the table and gave Jack a disapproving look. He was too preoccupied with a blonde to notice.

When the song ended, the bras went back on, and the girls plopped into the men’s laps, trying to coax out another dance.

A waitress approached and asked me if I'd like a drink.

"No thanks. I'm on duty."

"Jacko says it's compliments of the house."

"Tell him thank you. Another time.”

She looked at Jack and Henrik. They'd already put down at least one round. "You ready for another, boys?"

Before Jack could answer, I said, "No. I think they're done."

Jack scowled at me. So did Henrik.

"Giselle is looking for you," I said to the wily old man.

"Well, she can keep looking."

"I need to get you back to the boat, alive and upright."

"Oh, he's upright," the brunette said.

Henrik grinned.

She asked him if he’d like to go to the champagne room.

"I certainly like champagne," Henrik replied.

"No champagne room for now, thank you," I said.

They all frowned at me.

"I don't think Giselle is going to be too happy if she finds out where you are."

"It's not her life. I'll live mine how I see fit."

There was no arguing with the two of them.

My phone buzzed my pocket with another call. I pulled out the device and looked at the screen.