Friends and Lovers Trilogy 02 - Charmed by Beth Ciotta Page A

entertainment—strolling entertainers and lounge bands. People, primarily men, who show up regularly. The lurkers. The leerers. The guys who hover on the fringes and ogle the female performers.” She twisted her lips in disgust. “So which one is it? Maurice? Sam? The Clapper? Wait. It has to be Photo-Boy. Sometimes I wonder if he’s even got film in that camera.”
    “Hold up.” Clearly intrigued, Murphy abandoned his coffee and folded his arms over his chest. “Sam? As in Sam Marlin?”
    She nodded. “Not as creepy as Photo-Boy, but definitely a watcher. As bad luck would have it, he also lives in the neighborhood. Lulu mentioned him?”
    “I met him.” Murphy glanced at the seashell. “He hand delivered the package. Said it came to his house by mistake.”
    “Yeah. That’s been happening a lot lately.” Sofie winced. “I guess Sam was in a mood then.”
    “You could say that.”
    “He doesn’t like the idea of other men horning in on his women.” She snorted. “The man’s deluded.”
    “I wasn’t aware that he’s hot for Lulu,” Murphy said. “I thought he liked you.”
    “He’s hot for anything in fishnet stockings. Although I think I’m the only performer at the Carnevale that he’s actually asked out on a date.” She smirked. “Lucky me.”
    Murphy dipped his chin in thought. “When Lulu appears at the Carnevale, does she use the name Princess Charming?”
    “No. That’s her storybook persona for Lulu’s Loonytales. She transforms into the Princess for children’s parties. At the casino she’s Gemma the Juggler.” She frowned. “Why?”
    He glanced up. “According to my source, quote, The
Princess
is in danger. Unquote.”
    “So Sam was at one of Lulu’s parties?”
    “I’m not convinced that we’re talking about Sam.”
    “I don’t know what’s more upsetting. The possibility that a sicko was at a children’s party, or that said sicko is stalking my sister.” Sofie wanted to laugh off this entire conversation, but Murphy’s professional demeanor, his aura of grim authenticity, had her swallowing the scenario in one sobering gulp. “I could use some specifics here, Murphy.”
    “So could I. Unfortunately, I’m working with what I have.”
    She moistened her lips. “Which is?”
    “The tip. The gift. The mermaid costume hanging in Lulu’s closet.”
    Mermaid. Seashells. Pearls.
Although she didn’t want to, she easily followed his thinking. “Go on.”
    He flipped over the seashell and turned the crank. Music tinkled. A lively Caribbean song. A tune from
The Little Mermaid,
one of Lu’s favorite movies. Sofie massaged her temple. “She did a mermaid gig yesterday morning.”
Damn.
“What else?”
    “I don’t think she has the flu. I think she was drugged at the club. My money’s on Ecstasy. I think her admirer planned on taking advantage.”
    “But you were there.”
    “I was there.”
    Her knees wobbled, but she’d be damned if she’d show weakness. Someone had to champion Lulu, and Viv wasn’t here. Terry … he wasn’t here either, the bastard. “Ecstasy. Jesus. No wonder she came onto you.”
    “She told you about that?”
    “She told me she kissed you.” She frowned. “Anything else I should know?”
    “I’m not in the habit of taking advantage of vulnerable women.”
    “Then you are a rare man indeed.”
    He grinned. “You’re a cynical one.”
    She shrugged. “Call ‘em as I see ‘em.”
    “Your sister on the other hand …”
    “Thinks you’re nice.”
    He shifted, eyed his mug. Obviously, he was uncomfortable with that description.
Probably liked to think of himself as big, bad, and deadly.
He was after all in the business of protection and intimidation.
    She smiled, drawing morbid pleasure from his discomfort. “Lulu thinks everyone’s nice.”
    “I’ve noticed.”
    They drank in silence for a moment. Her spiked coffee was bracing, the kitchen toasty, but Sofie suffered a bone-deep chill when she glanced over at that