“Girlfriend to girlfriend... He’s solid. Ambitious. I don’t know what I’d have done without him after Sam’s death. He can be a little intense, I’ll give you that, but maybe you should let him take you out to dinner and you can see if you hit it off.”

“I don’t really have any time to date now.”

She tilted her head. “Because of Cooper? I heard a rumor that the two of you have more than a professional relationship.”

Piper hadn’t seen this coming. “Fascinating what people will say.”

“Is it true?”

“You don’t believe in subtlety, do you?”

“Not since I lost my husband. Hell of a way to learn how short life can be.” She shifted her clutch to her other hand and waited, regarding Piper in an open, patient manner. “Well?”

Piper began walking toward the BMW. “I think you probably know by now that I never comment on my clients.”

“I respect that.” The locks on her car clicked. She opened the driver’s door, then turned back to Piper. “But if it is true... I like him a lot, and I’m going to give you a run for your money.” She didn’t say it in a bitchy way, more as a straight-up point of information. “And if it’s not true, tell him I’m low maintenance and fabulous.”

Piper laughed. Whether from surprise or amusement, she didn’t know. What she did know was that Deidre Joss was a force of nature.

Deidre pulled out of the parking lot. Piper crossed the street back to the club, barely avoiding a Lexus whose driver thought he owned the right-of-way. It felt good to have a target for her frustration, and she flipped him the bird.

***

The next night was a Friday, and the club was even busier. She helped Ernie toss out some men who were making themselves obnoxious, ordered the servers to cut off a couple of overzealous dancers, and broke up a fight heading for the alley. She was proving to be an excellent bouncer. If only she were as good an investigator.

By the time she entered her apartment, she was dead on her feet. She peeled off her dress, tugged on her Bears T-shirt, and brushed her teeth. As she came out of the bathroom, she heard her door open. She peeked into the living room.

Coop had makeup smears on his sweater sleeve and lipstick on the side of his neck. He looked tired, disheveled, and irritable. “I’m too tired to drive home.”

He’d been everywhere tonight, and she knew how tired he was, but she hardened her heart. “You can’t stay here.”

“Sure I can. It’s my apartment.”