Jamie Quinn Cozy Mysteries Collection

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

I dressed with care for my 'appointment' with Duke, opting for business casual, as if I were attending an event at the Broward Bar, instead of an actual bar. And forget about lipstick--wearing lipstick around Duke was like waving a red flag at a bull. You were just asking for trouble.

I arrived before eight and parked close by. I was definitely overdressed for the muggy summer weather, but it couldn't be helped. As I crossed the street, I saw Duke sitting outside at the bar, drinking a beer. Who knew, maybe he lived there? He looked the same as ever: sandy brown hair cut shoulder length, designer jeans and a white Tommy Bahama shirt unbuttoned to show off his shark tooth necklace. And of course, a tan, he always had a tan. I wondered if he was wearing his favorite alligator boots. I still don't believe he killed that alligator….As far as I could tell, he hadn't changed at all since I'd seen him a year ago. I wondered if I had.

As I walked toward the bar, Duke saw me and started grinning.

"Look at you Miss Jamie, all lawyered up! Do I have a court hearing I don't know about?"

"Not yet," I said with a smile, "but the night is young. Anything can happen."

"Ain't that the truth? Why don't you have a seat and we'll get you a cocktail." He patted the barstool next to him. And they say chivalry is dead.

"I'll have a Pinot Grigio," I said to the bartender, before turning my attention to Duke. "How's work, keeping you busy?"

He polished off his beer and ordered another one. "Come on, Jamie," he said, looking me in the eye. "You didn't call me out of the blue to ask me how's work, did you? What's going on, you in trouble?"

Just then, the band started up inside the restaurant and I stopped to listen. They were playing a Muddy Waters song, and they were pretty good. I really needed to get out more…

I sipped my wine. "Am I that transparent?"

"No, girl, I'm just a damn good PI!" He gave me a wink and then laughed at his own joke. You can say that for Duke, he was easily amused.

"Okay, but before I tell you my long story that involves a heavy metal band, a murder, and a state attorney with political ambitions, I need to make one thing clear…"

Duke's green eyes were watching me closely, he loved a good story. "What's that, Darlin?"

"This is not a date."