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Going to her apartment seemed a great idea at the time -- a private place to plan and
prepare. Then Pam stepped into the wardrobe Julia called home. Racks of clothing, wigs,
shoes, and any other possible accessories lined every available space, leaving Pam gape-
mouthed in awestruck wonder. Paths led to the kitchen, bathroom, and one bedroom. A
section was cordoned off for a sleeper sofa -- opened and strewn with more clothing -- and
two end tables piled with magazines and what looked like the remains of Julia s breakfast. A
TV wobbled precariously on a rickety wall unit that shuddered each time a person breathed.
Pam had wondered if she should leave bread crumbs to find her way to the door as
Julia led her through the maze of paths, pulling together the  perfect look. It seemed there
was nothing the woman didn t have. Within minutes, Pam had been juggling a large
assortment of clothes, shoes, and wigs to try on.
 Remember, the devil is in the details. Julia covered the last nail with glassy top coat
she called  quick dry.
 I still don t understand why I had to have acrylics. There was really nothing wrong
with my nails. Longer press-ons would have worked.
Julia heaved a weary sigh.  You have to look authentic. Besides, it gives me the rare
chance to put my skills to use on someone other than myself.
 I doubt they ll notice.
 Trust me, people notice. Especially when a fake nail plops off into their drink. Guys at
these things love long nails. Long nails lead to bigger tips. It s important to give them what
they expect so they aren t left wondering what your deal is.
Julia had a point, and after all the undercover work she d done in Vice, this was her
field of expertise. Again, Pam counted herself lucky to have her help.
She dusted her fingers through a large plastic box of miscellaneous faux gemstones.
Smiling, Julia pulled out a sparkly red gem.  This will look great in your naval.
Pam shook her head.  You are not supergluing that to my belly button.
 Relax. I have theatrical glue that s water soluble. We ll stick it in before we go. She
set the stone to one side.  Now for the wig. This won t be comfortable.
 Want to place bets on which fails me first? My head or my feet?
96 Caitlyn Willows
 Toss a coin. They ll both be killing you before the night s out. Julia tugged the wig
cap over Pam s head.  You ll also have to guard your tits and ass. Men get grabby with all the
women at these things. It doesn t matter if they re married or not, or what their profession is.
They get a few drinks in them, and all the rules go out the window.
 I ll do my best not to slug them. Pam couldn t say how Declan or Captain Buckley
would react. Chances were they d both be taking names for later.
 There are a lot of ugly things about undercover assignments.
She winced as Julia tucked her hair under the cap.
 One is seeing the bad side of some of your fellow officers. That pretty diamond you re
wearing won t be a very effective stop sign. Even wedding rings don t matter. Some view it as
just another challenge.
Pam glanced at the engagement ring. She had to admit the longer nails enhanced it,
making her look and feel elegant.
 Who s the lucky guy? she asked.
They d agreed to wait until after tomorrow s wedding. But since Pam s goal tonight was
to lure the killer out by seducing Declan, she couldn t have Julia lumping her in with those
officers she d just mentioned. Even though the truth would eventually come out, Pam had to
tell her now.
 Declan Trent.
 Ah. Her dark brown eyes brightened.  That s great. It will make the flirtation easy
without any last minute attack of nerves. She jerked back.  I mean it s great that you re
together, too.
Pam tried not to laugh. She couldn t fault the woman for being focused on the job.
 That s okay. I know what you meant. I m glad you ll be there to watch my back.
 Me, too. I can guarantee the men who are supposed to be doing it will be too blinded
by boobies to do so.
Pam smiled. This was a person she could partner with.  I don t suppose you d consider
moving to Homicide.
 Now that s tempting. This is getting old, like me. She tugged the strawberry-blond
wig on. A cascade of curls drifted to the center of Pam s back.
 Beautiful. She pointed Pam to the make-up table wedged in the corner between
kitchen and living area.
 I swear the only thing missing in this place is the stage. I m also afraid to ask what s in
your bedroom. Pam eased onto the red velvet seat and flicked on the lights. A stranger
stared back at her in the mirror.
 I sleep on the sofa, Julia said.  The bedroom is my sewing room. I really need a bigger
place, but just the thought of apartment hunting drives me up the wall.
Buddy System 97
She twisted around.  You made all these? The woman was one surprise after the other.
Julia lifted her palms in a shrug.  Everyone has to have a hobby. I ve been making
costumes since I was old enough to use a sewing machine. I did a lot of plays in high school
and college. She snickered.  I had plans to be this great actress. Reality is a harsh mistress.
So, here I am, fighting bad guys.
She winked and turned Pam back toward the mirror.  I ll let you brush it and do your
make-up while I get ready. When you re done, if you d like to search through the costumes
for a wedding dress, help yourself.
Pam clicked her gaze up to Julia s in the mirror.  Tell me you re joking.
 I never joke about costumes. Her smile said differently.
* * * * *
Pam did a visual scan of the banquet hall, noting exits and possible problem areas while
Julia did a quick check on the halls. The hotel elves were going to have to work extra hard to
turn this red and black spangled nightmare into a white and lilac dream for tomorrow s
reception. Shimmering curtains protected the temporary backstage where the strippers
waited. A runway, complete with pole, thrust out from there. Chafing dishes perched over
flames from canned heat lined the back wall near the portable bar. The men wouldn t go
hungry -- all one hundred of them.
Pam tried not to think about how she was going to carry off the guise of cocktail
waitress. They d done a quick dress rehearsal at Julia s, Pam balancing a heavy tray of drinks
while walking in heels. It was going to be a long night.
She felt naked without her weapon. Not that she would need it. She hoped. If
everything went according to plan, she d simply leave with Declan after the party ended and
the surveillance team would follow. They were already in place, watching the comings and
goings from the hotel.
Julia glided back into the room. They could have been twins, except for the long fall of
black curls now drifting down Julia s back. A single nod alerted Pam all was well. They met
up at the temporary bar, where a swarthy hulk of a man whose nametag declared him Burt
put out the last of the glasses.
 Captain Buckley caught me outside. The team s in place. The men are starting to
arrive.
Pam nodded. It looked like all bases were covered. All she had to do was play her part.
Following Julia s lead, she grabbed her serving tray and positioned her tip glass next to the
note pad where she d list the orders. Seconds later the men paraded through the door like a
hoard of rowdy frat boys set loose for spring break.
 Men. Julia snorted.  They always lead with their cocks. I never met one worth a
dime.
98 Caitlyn Willows
Pam arched an eyebrow her way.  Not one?
 Nope. She shook her head.  I can kill my own spiders, thank you very much. The
problems men cause just aren t worth the trouble. She glanced at Burt.  Present company
excluded, of course.
 Of course, he said with a blinding smile that flushed Julia s cheeks.
Pam leaned close to her ear.  Don t talk the talk if you can t walk the walk.
 Point made, Julia muttered.
They watched the men split off to the tables surrounding the runway. Pam recognized [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]