they were a real couple.
“Not all Americans are royal-crazy,” Dylan said as he returned. “I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about titles. Titles don’t mean diddly squat when it comes to character.” He leveled a warning look at Ethan.
“Agreed.” Ethan said smoothly, ignoring the daggers Dylan aimed his way.
“Ethan Bennett, Duke of Davenborrough, and his companion, Jerry Smythe, enjoyed a delightful dinner at Quincette, a local favorite. The Duke and Ms. Smythe are visiting San Francisco on an extended working holiday.” Jerry read. “At least they got our cover names right.”
“It’s good coverage. If our guy reads the society section, he can’t help but be intrigued.” Dylan added.
“Let’s hope. What’s on my agenda today? Besides yoga.” Jerry snagged a muffin and bit in.
“Jimmy put together a list of places that all three victims frequented in the last month. Aside from your favorite yoga class, there’s a café around the corner, a juice bar two blocks over and a Pilates studio downtown that might be helpful. You can drop by the juice bar on your way to Pilates, then stop by the café on the way home.”
“I’m taking Pilates and yoga today?” Jerry dropped her muffin. “I thought the point was to keep me alive so the unsub gets a shot. If I keep this up, I’ll be dead in a week.” She complained.
“Suck it up, Forbes. You can do this in your sleep.” Dylan wanted to laugh at Jerry’s expression, but didn’t risk it. “Just think of how good your body will look after a few days of torture.”
“You really are annoying,” she tossed back. “What else is going on today? I assume we’re going out again tonight?”
“Of course. See and be seen, doncha know.” Dylan grinned in anticipation of dropping his next bomb. “Tonight, you’re going to the opera. You have tickets to La Traviata, the heart-wrenching tale of a fallen woman’s sacrifice for the love of her life. Or so I’m told.”
“Oh, man,” Jerry dropped her head on her arms. “This day just keeps getting better. Why don’t you go spread sunshine somewhere else?” She peeked up at Dylan.
Ethan and Dylan both laughed, but Ethan spoke. “I take it the opera is not your cup of tea?”
“No,” Jerry replied instantly. “I mean I’ve never been, but I can’t imagine that it would be anything but boring.”
“You Americans and your preconceived notions.” Ethan shook his head. “La Traviata is arguably one of the best-loved operas of all time, and you imagine it to be boring. Opera allows emotions to transcend language. Whether or not you understand the words, if you pay attention to the characters and the music you will feel the emotion.” His passionate words surprised Jerry. “I challenge you to give the stage your undivided attention tonight and then tell me that you were bored.”
Ethan’s speech left Dylan silent and Jerry impressed. “I accept your challenge.”
Ethan nodded and changed the subject. “Any luck on locating the Maserati?” He asked Dylan.
“Nothing yet. We’re running down the registrations, but you’d be amazed at the number of red Maserati’s registered in California. By and large, the owners all fit the broadest part of our unsub’s profile; white male in his thirties to fifties. We need more to go on.” Dylan broke apart another muffin.
“Maybe I’ll get lucky today with Kim’s friend, Sonja. I know it’s a longshot, but it could turn into something.” Jerry wrinkled her nose at the muffin tray. “I’m making a real breakfast. God knows I’ll work it off later today. Who wants pancakes?”
“So Slick, what are your plans today?” Dylan asked Ethan after placing a double order of pancakes with Jerry.
Ethan chose to ignore the jibe; it appeared that Dylan’s opinion of him hadn’t changed yet. “I have appointments at two brokerage firms this morning, both of which are used by the three previous victim’s paramours. This afternoon, I’m joining a gentlemen’s
“Not all Americans are royal-crazy,” Dylan said as he returned. “I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about titles. Titles don’t mean diddly squat when it comes to character.” He leveled a warning look at Ethan.
“Agreed.” Ethan said smoothly, ignoring the daggers Dylan aimed his way.
“Ethan Bennett, Duke of Davenborrough, and his companion, Jerry Smythe, enjoyed a delightful dinner at Quincette, a local favorite. The Duke and Ms. Smythe are visiting San Francisco on an extended working holiday.” Jerry read. “At least they got our cover names right.”
“It’s good coverage. If our guy reads the society section, he can’t help but be intrigued.” Dylan added.
“Let’s hope. What’s on my agenda today? Besides yoga.” Jerry snagged a muffin and bit in.
“Jimmy put together a list of places that all three victims frequented in the last month. Aside from your favorite yoga class, there’s a café around the corner, a juice bar two blocks over and a Pilates studio downtown that might be helpful. You can drop by the juice bar on your way to Pilates, then stop by the café on the way home.”
“I’m taking Pilates and yoga today?” Jerry dropped her muffin. “I thought the point was to keep me alive so the unsub gets a shot. If I keep this up, I’ll be dead in a week.” She complained.
“Suck it up, Forbes. You can do this in your sleep.” Dylan wanted to laugh at Jerry’s expression, but didn’t risk it. “Just think of how good your body will look after a few days of torture.”
“You really are annoying,” she tossed back. “What else is going on today? I assume we’re going out again tonight?”
“Of course. See and be seen, doncha know.” Dylan grinned in anticipation of dropping his next bomb. “Tonight, you’re going to the opera. You have tickets to La Traviata, the heart-wrenching tale of a fallen woman’s sacrifice for the love of her life. Or so I’m told.”
“Oh, man,” Jerry dropped her head on her arms. “This day just keeps getting better. Why don’t you go spread sunshine somewhere else?” She peeked up at Dylan.
Ethan and Dylan both laughed, but Ethan spoke. “I take it the opera is not your cup of tea?”
“No,” Jerry replied instantly. “I mean I’ve never been, but I can’t imagine that it would be anything but boring.”
“You Americans and your preconceived notions.” Ethan shook his head. “La Traviata is arguably one of the best-loved operas of all time, and you imagine it to be boring. Opera allows emotions to transcend language. Whether or not you understand the words, if you pay attention to the characters and the music you will feel the emotion.” His passionate words surprised Jerry. “I challenge you to give the stage your undivided attention tonight and then tell me that you were bored.”
Ethan’s speech left Dylan silent and Jerry impressed. “I accept your challenge.”
Ethan nodded and changed the subject. “Any luck on locating the Maserati?” He asked Dylan.
“Nothing yet. We’re running down the registrations, but you’d be amazed at the number of red Maserati’s registered in California. By and large, the owners all fit the broadest part of our unsub’s profile; white male in his thirties to fifties. We need more to go on.” Dylan broke apart another muffin.
“Maybe I’ll get lucky today with Kim’s friend, Sonja. I know it’s a longshot, but it could turn into something.” Jerry wrinkled her nose at the muffin tray. “I’m making a real breakfast. God knows I’ll work it off later today. Who wants pancakes?”
“So Slick, what are your plans today?” Dylan asked Ethan after placing a double order of pancakes with Jerry.
Ethan chose to ignore the jibe; it appeared that Dylan’s opinion of him hadn’t changed yet. “I have appointments at two brokerage firms this morning, both of which are used by the three previous victim’s paramours. This afternoon, I’m joining a gentlemen’s
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