BEAST

Chapter 8

Only executives and their friends and family had been invited to the decoy party. Being undercover, Kade had no way to crash it, until the opportunity with Crystal and Ruby came up at the diner.

At first he thought it would be easy and a way to flirt more with Crystal while looking for a thief. But she and Ruby had both ordered him about, shoved a bowl of butter and sugar in his hands to whip or mix - he didn't know one from the other - and said just follow their lead. And the hairnet they insisted he wear did not help his s*x appeal, he was sure, even if they wore matching ones.

But when he arrived in the Owens' kitchen, he took off his tux jacket and donned the apron Crystal gave him in the spirit of helping. She explained after everything was done; he was to remove the apron, don his jacket, and help hustle the trays of food out onto the buffet table.

"Where's Ruby going?" he asked when she picked up her purse and headed toward the foyer.

"Uh, oh we've got another job." Crystal rubbed a hand over her face and left a smear of flour across her cheek. "The Owens party moved from yesterday to today and we already had a retirement party scheduled. That's why we were shorthanded."

Was she nervous? Her words had rushed out of her. Maybe she got this way when she catered. Minus the hairnet, he liked her hair pulled back into a ponytail, it gave her a carefree look and he imagined her playing video games that way.

"Here." Kade took her hand and tugged her closer. When he reached out to wipe the flour off, her eyes widened. "Just a bit of stuff on your cheek." He brushed it away. Right then he wanted to kiss her. Make her melt in his arms, but now wasn't the time. The party was beginning and he needed to check on the safe soon.

Without another word, he nodded and dropped her hand. He removed his apron and shrugged into his jacket. The sleeves were a boa constrictor on his arms and across his back, but it was the only tux the rental place had close to his size. He carried out into the dining room two trays of the food and placed them on the table.

Kade unbuttoned the tuxedo jacket and hoped they would catch anyone working with Hacken - perhaps even this woman the sergeant told them about. If they caught the thief tonight maybe they'd find out why they were targeting Westridge. So far he didn't know why except that it was a wealthy company whose expenses didn't add up. He had yet to figure out the Sutaban codes. Even Tackett didn't know and suggested he check Westridge's office, but the opportunity hadn't come up yet. Maybe he'd swing by there after the party, tell security he left his wallet or something.

So this was Westridge treasurer's house? A mansion with three floors filled with more weird statues and bent metal pieces than a junkyard. He'd have to make something up and comment how refined and expensive every piece was. What else could he say? Good thing no one asked him what was in the hors d'oeuvres because he doubted he could remember or duplicate it without Crystal or Ruby.

Kade's muscles strained against the sleeves when he tried to run his fingers through his dark hair. He didn't want to damage his rental and have to pay for it.

When would he ever wear a tux again? He gulped down a glass of champagne, then placed it down on a passing tray. Across the room, he spotted Paul.

He doubted his partner had to worry about a rented tux. He probably owned two of them.

Paul scratched his nose - the sign for all clear.

Kade swung his gaze around the room. Earlier today, he hoped Clive would cancel the party.

Too many people, too many chances for the thief to get away, if he came at all. Because of the publicized case, they stalled the meeting with Hacken's lawyer. Hacken was still locked up; missing paperwork was blamed for his lack of freedom for now.

However, they had to know if the woman calling the station for Hacken was involved in the robberies with him. Did she stake out the locations for him? A lookout and getaway associate?

Nearby, several women laughed at something a bald man said. A flash of his diamond watch meant money was the only reason these women gave him any attention. Or so Kade guessed.

Kade wanted a quiet surveillance, not prancing around the mansion like a stuffed peacock.

In the crowd, he noticed Crystal. Her blonde hair swept into a twist and decked in a gold gown that scooped low in the back, was a big change from her hairnet and apron. Paul thought she looked good coated in flour and sugar, too. She greeted guests standing beside a banquet table of food.

A live band churned out the latest tunes in the corner while a few couples danced. Some good and some looking like they had chiggers.

Maybe she could step away as caterer and enjoy a dance. Straightening his shoulders, something ripped. Crap, his tux. He checked his sleeves for any tears. Not seeing any, he strolled toward Crystal.

He brushed past two elderly women cackling over a joke about tequila, and waited in line at the buffet table.

Making use of his opportunity while he waited to reach Crystal, he snatched a china plate and piled on two rolls and a stack of roasted duck. He couldn't believe he helped make some of this - even if he didn't know the name of it.

Behind a man who dumped caviar on his plate, he waited. He didn't want her to think he was only here to talk to her. Crystal stood near the end of the table answering questions from a woman trimmed in rubies.

Since his stomach rumbled, he took a bite of a roll to sooth the grumblings. Definitely didn't want his stomach commenting to Crystal instead of him. He took another bite. Some of the food on the table he didn't want; oysters, lobster, or anything he couldn't identify.

After she thanked the woman, Crystal's turquoise eyes meet his.

Her mouth worked but no sound came out, her hand flying to her silver necklace.

He choked on the piece of roll. "You changed your hair." She even looked like she'd dabbed a little lipstick on.

Her hands soothed down her gold dress. Long, graceful hands. What else could those skillful hands do?

"Yes, Mr. Owen requested my presence in case a guest wanted to meet the chef."

"I know who to call for my next party." Lame. He sounded so stupid. Might as well have shoved a mouthful of food into his mouth. "I mean the food is excellent, you're a great cook."

"Thank you for your help." Most women would be pleased at the praise, but she only looked annoyed and glanced around behind him.

"Care to dance?" He sat his plate down and grasped her elbow.

"No, I - "

"Please? Just one dance." When she didn't say anything, he winked and gave her his most charming smile. "It's a party, one quick dance and I'll leave you alone. I'll even help with the dishes afterwards."

After a quick look back at the buffet table, she gave a nod and took his hand.

Yes! Usually it only took his asking once to have a woman agree - especially to dance. It was refreshing that Crystal did not give in so easily. She had a mind of her own and didn't seem concerned with merely pleasing him.

On the dance floor a slower song played, thank goodness. He wasn't a great dancer, but he knew swaying to a ballad looked a whole lot better than waving his arms like a monkey. Maybe that's why he liked country dancing, mostly footwork. And heavy metal was headbanging, easy.

She slid her hands to his shoulders and he resisted the urge to let his drift down below her waist. Her scent of cooked veal, honey, and roses drew him in.

She felt right in his arms. Like a puzzle piece that fit so well, the edges blurred. "Too bad Ruby couldn't hang around. They could be dancing now, too."

"Paul's here?" she squeaked. "Tonight? He told Ruby he was sick."

Damn, he'd forgotten that Paul lied to Ruby about having to work. Instead, he told her he wasn't feeling well. It was Kade's suggestion not telling anyone about tonight. Agreeing, Sergeant Tackett had ordered their silence.

"Well, ou - guess his boss demanded he monitor this thing." Kade shifted his feet as she pulled away from him. "He didn't have a choice."

Rather than paying attention to him, Crystal gazed over his shoulder. "Good, he's on the other side of the room." She breathed out.

He frowned. Did she like Paul? He waited for her to say something else, but she spun on her heel.

She bound for the kitchen; no doubt some hors d'oeuvres were burning. At least, that's what he tried to convince himself.

He thought about chasing after her, but decided he'd find Paul first and let him know Ruby would be furious with him. After he told Paul, then he'd find Crystal. Maybe after he checked the upstairs safe too. Then she'd have hopefully finished whatever made her run away and he could squeeze in another dance.

At the table, he snatched up his discarded plate and maneuvered through the crowd to let Paul know. If he called Ruby now, he could apologize.

Outside, a few people milled about the poolside. Near the terrace, Paul and Owens were talking with a woman. Seeing Kade approach, she flashed him a smile and sauntered off.

"Paul."

Clive Owens settled beside his partner with a glass of sherry as though they were homeless sharing a campfire instead of candlelit patio.

"Need to speak with you in private." Then he acknowledged the short man with a nod.

"This won't take but a moment, Mr. Owens."

The man answered with a shrug and sipped his sherry.

Paul said, "I'm starving. Any of that for me?"

"Help yourself." Kade passed him the plate. "But you've got problems." He slurped a piece of roast duck.

"Crystal knows you're here instead of at home like you told Ruby."

"Damn, I thought I was doing good avoiding the kitchen and buffet table." In four bites Paul swallowed down his roll.

"Let me call her." Paul handed him the plate. "I-I'll think of something."

"I told Crystal your boss demanded you show."

After he dialed his cell phone, he stepped out on the veranda. Kade followed him outside.

Floating candles lit the pool carrying the scent of geraniums. "Ruby's voice mail is picking up." Again he dialed the number.

"Where is she? She always has her phone with her?" Panic filled Paul's voice.

"Don't worry. Crystal said they were double-booked tonight." Kade snatched up a piece of duck and then set the plate down on the marble bench. Did she call her sister before he reached Paul? "I'll go check on our safe." Kade strode inside.

With a glance around, he didn't find Crystal anywhere.

After he edged his way to the stairwell, he mingled casually with guests - still watching for any sign of Crystal. Nothing. She must be in the kitchen. Her food was delicious and it was no wonder the rich used her as their caterer - well, both her and her sister.

He'd have to get some of her recipes. As a bachelor, he knew how to cook. Some. Meat and potatoes. But never baking. It was a grill and a stovetop he used. In fact, he only used his oven for frozen pizzas. Did she teach cooking classes? Hell, he'd take every class just to be able to see her more and eat her food.

At the carpeted stairs, he unhinged the velvet rope and then reattached the barrier after he passed. Then he crept to the second staircase and the master suite.

At the third floor, he stopped before the master bedroom door; he placed his ear on the frame. Behind it, a faint sound like a click.

He took his gun out of his boot and tucked it inside the waist of his pants along his side. That was the good thing about cowboy boots, they went with jeans or tuxes and had room for a gun. Ready, he inched the door open. He would wait to draw his gun. No use running in and shouting freeze if it was nothing but two people taking advantage of an empty room.

Through the crack of the open door, he peered in.

The safe lay open.

A figure dressed in black stood in front of it.