Blood Orchid (Holly Barker 3)

“I believe we’re all here,” Ed said, waving at some people at the bar. “Let’s be seated,” he called to them.

From the shadows of the bar, two men and two women approached. Holly knew two of them.

“Holly, I believe you’ve met Pio Pellegrino at his restaurant in Miami.”

“Of course,” Holly said.

“I believe you had a different name that evening,” Pio said smoothly.

“Forgive me; a single woman alone in Miami, I was being careful.”

“Of course.”

“And this is Pio’s father,” Ed said, “Ignacio. We call him Iggy.”

The old man bowed his head slightly, unsmiling.

“And this is Iggy’s daughter, Allegra, and Pio’s wife, Barbara; we call her Babs.” Babs was thin and elaborately coiffed, with big eyes and a wide mouth. Allegra Pellegrino was a tall, solidly built woman with black hair and blacker eyes. “Everybody, this is Holly’s friend, Mr. Grant Early, who may yet be a resident at Blood Orchid. Grant, I don’t believe you’ve met Willard Smith.”

Grant shook hands all around.

“Please be seated,” Ed said, waving a hand at the table. “There are place cards for everyone.”

Holly found herself seated between Ed and Pio. “What a beautiful table, Ed,” she said. “The flowers are lovely.” She glanced over at Grant, who was sea

ted between Barbara and Allegra Pellegrino. He was chatting amiably, as if this were the most normal of dinner parties.

Holly couldn’t figure out why she was here, and she didn’t like it. Nearly everybody in the world she wanted to arrest was in this room.

“We’re starting with beluga caviar and a Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame champagne,” Ed announced to the group, as plates were set before them.

Holly figured there were at least four ounces of the black roe on her plate. Blinis, sour cream, and chopped onion were passed around. Holly ignored them, picked up a small spoon, and began to eat the caviar unaccompanied. The champagne was a perfect accompaniment.

Grant seemed to be enjoying it, too.

Holly found the atmosphere more and more oppressive. “Will you excuse me, Ed?” she said. “And could you point me to the ladies’ room?”

“Of course, Holly,” Ed replied. “Allegra, why don’t you show Holly where the ladies’ room is?”

Holly rose and walked toward the bar area. Allegra silently fell into step with her. Holly felt as if she were under armed guard, and maybe she was: Allegra was carrying a very large handbag.

Holly went into the farthest stall, while Allegra washed her hands. Holly was grateful for the noise of running water, since it covered the sound of her dialing Harry Crisp’s home number on her cellphone.

“Hi, we’re out,” Harry’s voice said. “Leave a number at the beep, and we’ll call you back.” As Holly started to speak, her phone bleeped and went dead. The battery was flat. She left the stall and washed her hands. Allegra was messing with her makeup.

“I didn’t know Pio had a sister,” Holly said, trying to find out if the girl could speak.

“Yeah,” Allegra replied, snapping shut her compact.

They went back to the table, where waiters were removing the plates from the first course. Holly sat down.

“You know,” Pio said conspiratorially, “you’re a good-looking girl. Maybe we could get together sometime?”

“Why, Pio,” Holly said, “whatever would your wife say?”

“She’d enjoy it,” Pio replied with a smile. “She likes to watch.”

Holly gulped at the thought.