She didn’t even try to keep track of the money she spent. This was all for a good cause: her own. She didn’t just buy clothes, though that was the majority of her purchases. She bought perfume, and a couple of chic handbags, and earrings she liked. Todd talked her into an anklet, telling her, with a sly look in his eyes, “There’s nothing sexier, darling.”
At last they were on their way home. Daisy sat quietly, still numb from the entire experience. If there was such a thing as cosmetic war, today she had waged it. From today on, her life was changed. It wasn’t just the way other people would see her, but the way she saw herself. She had always been content with the background, thinking that it was all she deserved. No longer. From now on, regardless of what happened in her personal manhunt, she was going to make the most of herself for the sake of her own pride, if nothing else.
“If you don’t mind my asking,” Todd said after about ten miles of silence while she assimilated the day, “what was behind this sea change?”
Daisy sighed and rested her head against the seat, letting her eyes close. “My thirty-fourth birthday.”
“Really? I would have guessed you’re in your late twenties.”
Despite her fatigue, that brought a smile to her face. “Really?”
“Cross my heart. Maybe it’s your skin; you haven’t been out in the sun much, have you?”
“Not a lot. I do tan, but I also burn easily.” Plus she had always been inside with her nose in a book.
“That’s good. You also have a charming air of innocence that makes you look younger.”
Daisy opened her eyes, and felt her cheeks heat. “I don’t get out much,” she confessed. “That’s another reason I wanted to change. I want to get married, and let’s face it, the way I looked before no one paid any attention to me.”
“That’ll change now,” he said, and smiled at her. “I guarantee it.” He paused, then said, “Is there any certain man you’re interested in?”
She shook her head, and felt the wonderful swing of her hair. Goodness, that was amazing! “No. I’m just going to go out looking. I’ve never been to a nightclub before, but I figure that’s a good place to start. Do you know any good places?” Too late she realized that the clubs a gay man knew were probably not the clubs where she would have a good chance of success.
“I’ve heard the Buffalo Club is good,” he said casually. “Do you dance?”
“I know how, though I haven’t done it much since I took lessons. Dancing is a good way to break the ice, isn’t it?”
“Very good.” His tone was grave. “Do you think you might go out tonight?”
“I don’t know.” Going alone to a nightclub would take nerve, she thought, and after today she might have used up all her reserves.
Todd glanced at her, then returned his attention to the road. “Sometimes, once you get started, it’s easier just to keep going than it is to stop and then start up again.”
Meaning he thought she should go out tonight, after making the huge effort all day long to change her outward image.
“I’ll think about it,” she said. A thought occurred to her. “I don’t know how to act like ‘old money,’ though. Is there anything special—”
“No,” he interrupted. “Old money is just a style. Don’t get presentation and personality confused. Just be yourself, and then you don’t have to worry.”
“Being myself never got me noticed before,” she said ruefully.
He laughed. “It will now, honey. It will now.”
EIGHT
Have you found Mitchell yet?” Temple Nolan asked.
“Not yet.” Sykes was annoyed that the mayor had even asked. If Sykes had found him, he’d have said so, wouldn’t he? “I figure he’ll hide out for a week or so, but then he’ll either figure it’s no problem that the girl died, or he’ll get antsy and figure it’ll be safe for him to find some action as long as he doesn’t go to his regular places. I’ve got it covered. When he shows, I’ll know about it within five minutes.”
“Mr. Phillips wasn’t a happy man. There was a big buyer lined up for the girl. Now the guy has found another source, and we’re out the money. Mr. Phillips wants Mitchell dead.”
“He will be. Just be patient. If I start beating the bushes for him, he’ll hear about it and bolt like a rabbit.”
“Mr. Phillips isn’t in the mood to be patient. It was a lot of money.”
Sykes shrugged. Virgins always commanded a high initial price anyway, but sometimes there was a special demand from someone willing to pay big bucks. Sykes couldn’t see anyone paying that much just to have sex with a virgin, so maybe they had another reason. He didn’t think there were any ritualistic sacrifices going on, but he’d lived long enough and seen enough that he didn’t put anything beyond some people. Whatever happened to the girls after they were delivered didn’t concern him, anyway. They were merchandise, nothing more.
“Like I said, he’ll turn up, and I’ll be waiting when he does.” Sykes had to make an effort to keep the impatience out of his voice. How often did he have to say it? Mitchell was as good as handled. And in the meantime, business continued. “We have another shipment scheduled to come in next Tuesday night, five girls. I’d rather not take them to the usual place, just in case Mitchell has already talked to the wrong people. That’s another reason I don’t want to push too hard in finding him; if he gets scared, he may go to the D.A. and try to cut a deal, our names in exchange for protection. You got any ideas for another holding pen, to be on the safe side?”