I didn’t have to wonder long. As soon as we exited the car, a driver in a suit and tie got out of the Lincoln and opened the door for his passenger. A pair of long, shapely legs in stiletto heels emerged with the elegance of considerable practice, followed by the rest of a familiar figure.

“Hey, baby girl!” Lurine greeted me. She wore oversize sunglasses and a formfitting dress with a bold, graphic print. “Long time no see.”

“Is that . . . ?” Cody sounded stunned.

Lurine lowered her sunglasses enough to peer over them, looking him up and down. “Oh, my, you are a fine-looking specimen.”

Detective Wilkes’s voice was faint and incredulous. “Are you, um, Lurine Hollister, ma’am?”

She winked at him. “Guilty as charged.”

I sighed. “Lurine, what are you doing here?”

“Let’s just say that I had a feeling you’d turn up here today.” Lurine slung an affectionate arm over my shoulders. “Your mom’s worried about you, cupcake. And I promised to look after you a long time ago.”

“You know Lurine Hollister?” Cody turned his stunned expression in my direction.

“Uh-huh.”

“Ever since my little cupcake here was hardly more than a baby.” Lurine planted a smacking kiss on my temple. “Right, Daise?”

“Yep.”

“Is she . . .” The detective lowered his voice. “One of your kind?”

Lurine gave him a mild glance. “And what kind do you suppose that might be, cutie-pie?”

He flushed. “I’ve no idea, ma’am.”

She patted his arm with her free hand. “That’s probably for the best, don’t you think?”

“I’ve seen all your movies,” Cody blurted. “You were great in Revulsion Asylum, and Return to Revulsion Asylum.”

Lurine smiled at him. “You’re sweet.”

Cody blushed, too. “What can I say? I’m a fan.”

Oh, gah!

“I can’t believe your taste in movies,” I said to Cody. “That’s what you watch? Seriously?” Realizing what I’d said, I grimaced and checked myself. “So sorry, Lurine. No offense intended.”

She squeezed my shoulders. “None taken, cupcake. Shall we go inside?”

“You don’t have to do this,” I said to her. “In fact, you really shouldn’t do this.”

Releasing me, Lurine rummaged in her purse and withdrew a neatly folded handkerchief, which she used to blot the crimson lipstick imprint she’d left on my brow. “Oh, don’t argue with me.” Surveying her handiwork, she gave my temple a final swipe and stowed her handkerchief. “I’ve been bored lately. This will be fun.”

“Ma’am.” Detective Wilkes cleared his throat. “Ah . . . Ms. Hollister. This is highly irregular.”

She gave him another wink. “That’s what makes it fun.”

I think the detective would have tried to stop her if he dared, but he didn’t. Lurine sauntered toward the door of the Wheelhouse, and the rest of us fell obediently in line behind her.