Nick smiled. He didn’t know what had Mandy stammering and nervous, but he could guess. The girls often entertained in their dressing rooms. He needed to calm her and talk privately. “Do you need a ride home?”
Mandy clutched her robe and hugged her purse. “I’m not dressed.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what’s behind your mask.” He wasn’t lying. He wanted to see her without it in the worst way. “You don’t want anyone here to know the real you?”
“When Art gave me the job, he said he was okay if I didn’t show my face. He said he had girls in the past who never allowed anyone to see them…ever.”
“Makes sense, but I guess this means going for coffee is out.” He really needed to question her…to see if she could remember anything about the customer who’d slipped her the twenty It wouldn’t be easy since there was no way she would have seen the denomination of the bill while she danced. But maybe there was something to set this guy apart from the others. Nick needed to find out. She kept staring over her shoulder like she was worried someone was after her. “Is something wrong?”
“No, I thought I saw a mouse in my dressing room. Maybe we could talk once everyone’s gone. Maybe I could even dance for you…a private dance. I don’t think I’m coming back after tonight.”
Nick didn’t know what to say. She had to return. She’d captured the attention of the counterfeiter and he needed to watch her even more closely next time she danced and probably have additional agents in the club to help. At the same time, he experienced a twinge of guilt. This counterfeiter had a lot to lose and didn’t seem particularly smart if he passed money in the same place twice. Nick wondered if the guy would be tempted to pass twice because of Mandy. He evidently had a hard-on for strippers. Mandy had the right stuff to keep him coming back. What right did he have to want Mandy to place herself in the middle of an ongoing investigation? “You made a lot of money tonight.”
“I haven’t counted it yet. It’s more than I thought I’d make.”
“But you’re quitting when you just started?”
“When Art hired me, I told him I didn’t know if I’d stay. He didn’t have a problem with me performing for one night only.”
“After the performance you gave, I’d take bets he’s changed his mind about that.” Nick heard a commotion by the door. “Looks like Art needs my help. I’ll be back.” He left Mandy nervously twisting her reddish tresses around her finger. Something was definitely bothering her. Something she hadn’t revealed…yet.
By the time Nick helped the owner of Cat Club load the last drunk into a cab, he didn’t expect to see Mandy still waiting with a beer bottle in each hand. She didn’t look like a beer kind of girl, let alone straight from the bottle. She handed one toward him almost hesitantly. He was about to ask her what was wrong when Art interrupted and tapped her on the shoulder with one hand while he hid his other behind his back. As Mandy turned, he presented her with a cheap bouquet of flowers. “These were left at the door for you. You already have a secret admirer.”
Mandy sat her bottle on a nearby table, took the bouquet and searched through the crumpled cellophane. “Here’s a card.” She pulled it from the flowers and opened it. “More money.” She palmed the wad of bills and opened the card for only a moment before her eyes darkened and she crushed it.
Nick could see the bills were twenties. He itched to get his fingers on them to see if they were counterfeit too. He had a gut feeling they were.
Art slapped Nick on the back. “Looks like you got competition.”
Nick ignored him. “Mandy and I are going to talk a while. I’ll finish stacking the chairs and lock up.” Nick wanted the opportunity to get his hands on the flowers, money and card. And most of all, he needed to get Mandy to talk.
“Where would someone get flowers this time of night?” Mandy asked.
“I wondered that myself,” Nick said. He needed to get an agent to the store where they’d been purchased.
“I recognize the wrapping,” Art volunteered. “These are from the drug store around the corner. I’ve taken home flowers for the missus now and then from there. Speaking of the missus, I’m taking off.”
Nick didn’t speak until he locked the door behind Art. “Looks like it’s just the two of us.”
She blinked her beautiful eyes and glanced back toward the dressing rooms. “Fanny Feline is still in her dressing room. She has company with her.”
“You stay here. I’ll hurry her along.”
Mandy placed her fingertips on his arm like she wanted to stop him. He patted her hand. “This will only take a second.”
“But…”
“I’ll be right back.” He really needed to get someone to check out the drug store for counterfeit bills. When he didn’t find anyone in the dressing rooms, he locked the back door and called his office for an agent. Next he needed to check out the money from the flowers. He thought about just telling her who he was and confiscating the money, but he didn’t want to blow his cover, especially if he was close to making an arrest. He couldn’t risk her knowledge giving him away.
Her words about wanting to dance for him repeated over in his brain. How could he resist her long enough to focus on his job?
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