He grinned. “Believe me, I’m way too smart to get involved with any of these girls after hours. In any case, most of us steered clear of Eleanor once the rumors started circulating.”

“Is that why she left the Tahiti Club?” Holliday asked. “Did she get fired because word got out she was trying to blackmail some of the customers?”

“She wasn’t fired. It was her own choice to leave. Said she was giving up the stripping and moving away from Hollywood to shack up with some guy she’d met who she reckoned was going to look after her.”

“I don’t suppose you have a name for this guy?” Jessica asked.

Johnny Blue shook his head. “None of my business. As I said, I’ve seen a lot of faces come and go over the years. The girls included. There’s always someone younger and prettier who comes along and replaces your favorites.” He consulted the Rolex. “Speaking of which, it’s almost midnight, and Clio is due onstage. Smoke break is over.”

He opened the emergency door and kicked the half brick to one side. Just before closing the door behind him, he turned to them and said, “I meant it when I said I liked her. I hope you find the bastard who did it.”

The door swung shut behind Johnny Blue. Holliday and Jessica stood there facing each other in the alleyway. Neither of them spoke. The neon sign blinked. The music continued to pound through the wall. A sultry beat with a heavy bass. They looked at each other. She opened her mouth to speak, but before any words came out, Holliday’s mouth was on her own. Lips that were soft and firm all at the same time.

Jessica kissed him back. There were clashing teeth and tongues and the taste of beer. He pushed her against the wall, and she felt the rough scratch of the bricks through her satin shirt. She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer and bit his lip. His hands explored the skin under her shirt. Then his fingers were down the back of the leather pants, pulling her into him. His mouth moved from her lips down to her neck, and she heard him groan under urgent kisses.

Right man, wrong place, wrong time.

Jessica’s eyes snapped open. The thought had come from nowhere and lodged itself at the front of her brain. She gently pushed him away.

“We can’t do this. At least, not right now.”

He looked at her with eyes filled with heat for a long second. Then nodded. Backed away reluctantly.

“Okay,” he said softly. “Let’s go.”

He took her hand and led her from the alleyway to the parking lot. Two spaces down from her Silverado was a Pontiac Firebird.

They drove back to the motel in silence.

26 JESSICA

26

JESSICA