Catch Your Breath (9 page)

When she had the dress on, Gabby gasped. “Oh, God. This is never going to work,” she
moaned. She stared down at the gaping front where her chest didn’t fill the cups.

Moira rolled her eyes. “Relax. My mom will alter it. We had this conversation.” She
went behind Gabby and pulled the dress taut so they could see what the dress would
really look like.

“I like it,” Gabby said. “Let’s use this one.”

“Are you sure you’re a girl? You have to try on the others. You might like one of
them better.”

Moira got her to try on all of the dresses, and they decided that the green dress
was the best choice. She called her mom in to do her magic with pins, and when her
mom went to the next room to sew, Moira pulled out some of the pictures she’d printed
out from past zoo events.

She spread the photos on the floor. “Now, obviously, I don’t know who’s actually going
to be at the fund-raiser tonight, but based on past attendance, I picked some for
you to get to know.” She pointed at the top row. “I’m guessing you already know those
guys because Jimmy was so interested in them. Right below them are their wives.”

Moira ticked off small conversation starters for each of the women. Little things
like hobbies or other charities that the women were involved in. “I’m sure you can
handle this part. All you have to do is get them talking. They’ll take over.”

“Okay. I can handle that.”

“And smile. Lots of smiling. You need to be friendly. If you look like a bitch, they
won’t approach you.”

“My default look is bitch.”

“But they’re going to want to check you out because you’ll be with Jimmy and they’ve
all been wondering about him.” She pulled out makeup she bought for Gabby and sat
on the bed. “Let’s get your makeup done.”

When Gabby sat next to her, Moira said, “I guessed about colors. We can’t use my makeup
on you. You’d end up looking like a ghost if I used my pasty white complexion powder
on your glowing golden skin.”

“Shit. I didn’t even think about makeup. Tell me what I owe you and I’ll pay you back.”

“How about you just tell me about the case? It’s killing me to not have details. My
imagination runs wild and then I have unsubstantiated stories running in my head.
Put me out of my misery.”

Gabby closed her eyes and let Moira apply makeup. “It’s not exciting. The mayor thinks
there’s a possible theft ring targeting Chicago’s wealthy residents. We’re looking
into it.”

Not nearly as exciting as Moira had hoped. Still a quality news story, though. “And
the pervs that Jimmy’s so interested in? Are they the thieves?”

“Victims, we think.”

“Think? You don’t know who the victims are?”

“I can’t say any more. I shouldn’t have told you that much. Don’t tell Jimmy.”

Moira worked in silence. Once the makeup was done, Moira began to play with Gabby’s
hair. The thick mop didn’t have much style, but there were enough layers that Moira
was able to pile most of it on Gabby’s head and leave a few sexy tendrils dangling
down.

“Here, Moira. Have her try it on now.” Her mom stood in the doorway of the room holding
the green dress.

Gabby stood and looked at herself in the mirror. “Oh, my freaking God.”

Mom’s mouth thinned to a straight line.

As if she felt the glare, Gabby shrank down. “Sorry. It’s just that I don’t even look
like me.”

Moira took the dress and had Gabby step into it quickly. She knew her mom would get
it right on the first try. She always did. Moira zipped up the back, and when Gabby
turned, Moira’s mouth dropped.

The woman was stunning.

Her mom came around and tugged at seams and moved Gabby’s body in different directions
to check her handiwork. Satisfied that it was good enough, she gave Gabby a stiff
nod and left.

“Your mom’s not much of a talker, huh?”

“Only when she has something to say.”

“Then where did you get the talking gene?”

Moira laughed. “My dad. He owned the bar. He loved to talk to people. He was a natural
bartender.”

Watching her dad engage people at the bar was where she’d learned most of her tricks
she used as a reporter. She learned to get people to open up.

She glanced at the clock. “I better get myself dressed.”

Gabby sat carefully on the bed, almost like she thought she might wrinkle.

Moira stepped into her dress. She’d found an awesome deal on it. The bluish purple
color shimmered, and she felt like a princess wearing it. After applying a hint of
makeup, she pinned her hair in place in a hairstyle similar to the one she’d given
Gabby.

Just as she gave herself a last once-over, the doorbell rang. “I think your husband’s
here.”

“Moira,” her mom called.

“We’re coming.” She turned to Gabby. “You look totally hot. You do know I would’ve
helped even if Jimmy didn’t agree to anything, right?”

“I hoped so, but it’s good to know.”

They made their way down the stairs that led into the dining room. Jimmy stood in
the living room, staring out the front windows. For a brief moment, she imagined he
was waiting for her. Gabby stepped down behind her and said, “Hi.”

Jimmy turned as they walked toward him. His eyes bugged and he swallowed hard. “Wow.”

Gabby blushed. “Thanks. Maybe I’ll have to have Moira teach me to do this more often.”

“Ready to go?”

Gabby nodded and he looked at Moira.

“I’m driving myself. You don’t want to show up with me in your car. I’ll see you there.”

They turned and walked out and Moira gave herself a mental pat on the back. Jimmy
stared at Gabby and Moira felt a huge hit of jealousy. What she wouldn’t give to have
a guy look at her like that.

She gathered her purse and slid in a notebook for taking notes. Time to look for the
next guy to kiss.

“Okay, you can pop your eyes back in your head and roll up your tongue,” Gabby said
as they settled in the car. “I’m still the same Gabby.”

Jimmy adjusted his expression, glad that Gabby believed he’d been looking at her.
When the women had come down the stairs, he was struck stupid looking at Moira. He
covered by staring at Gabby, who had in fact made a huge transformation. But to him,
she remained Gabby, his partner. Moira had become the woman he’d drooled over the
first night he played James Buchanan.

He didn’t need to fuel that fire.

He did his level best to push Moira from his mind while he drove to the zoo. He was
sweltering in his suit and wondered how long he’d have to wait to at least take off
the coat. The air-conditioning in the car blew full blast, but his blood remained
hot.

At the zoo, they made their way to the pavilion. Waiters eased through the crowd with
trays of champagne. Would anyone notice if he went to the bar and ordered a draft?
Would it make him stand out as not belonging? Gabby grabbed a glass but didn’t drink.
They studied the crowd.

This group was more diverse than previous events he’d attended. Although it was still
a ball, the crowd seemed to have more than just the wealthy in attendance. And in
fact, some were drinking beer. He glanced at Gabby, who turned the glass in her hand
nervously. “I’m going to grab a beer. I’ll be right back.”

She clutched his forearm. “Don’t leave me.”

“Beer. I’ll be right back.” He thought he’d have to peel her fingers away, but she
dropped her hand.

At the bar, he found what was rapidly becoming his usual crowd. Stan Decker and his
friends all held bottles of imported beer. Not his usual, but better than champagne.
He ordered and then said, “Hi, Stan, how are you?”

“James, good to see you again.”

The bartender delivered his beer and Jimmy raised it to Stan, Nick, and Marcus. “My
wife loves animals, and as soon as she visited the zoo, I knew she’d want to attend.”

Stan chuckled as a man who suffered a similar fate.

“Let me ask you something, Stan. Man to man.” Jimmy shifted closer. “Are the wives
part of every social function around here?”

“Most. Why?”

He shrugged as if uncomfortable in order to project a level of trust. “While she was
out of town, I was kind of enjoying not being watched. You know how it is. She’s probably
shooting daggers at my back right now because I left her to get a beer.”

“Where is she? I know Karen has been dying to meet her.”

Jimmy pointed over his shoulder and hoped he knew Gabby as well as he thought. “Dark
hair, green dress.”

Stan looked over and laughed. “Yeah, she looks ticked off. I know what you mean about
being watched. It’s not so bad once all the wives get together. They do their thing;
we do ours. Come on, let’s get your wife into the group so you can enjoy your evening.”

When they reached Gabby, she painted a smile on her face. “Hey, sweetie, look who
I ran into at the bar. Remember I told you about Stan Decker and how he’s been so
welcoming.”

Gabby extended her hand. “So nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. We were starting to believe James made you up.” Stan looked around. “There’s
my wife, Karen. She’s been wanting to meet you.”

Stan led the way, and after another painful introduction, Stan tugged him away from
the women. Gabby looked at him with pleading eyes. He smiled and shrugged. He followed
Stan, but before they got too far, he heard Moira’s voice.

“Mrs. Buchanan, is that you? Oh, my goodness. It’s so good to see you again.”

Jimmy didn’t need to turn to know she was in full actress mode. Back at the bar, he
indulged in another beer, knowing it would be his last for the night. From his position,
he could keep an eye on Gabby, who appeared to be doing better thanks to Moira jumping
in. He’d lost sight of Moira, though.

The mayor approached, and Jimmy found himself stiffening out of habit and forced his
body to relax.

“James, good to see you.”

“Bill, glad you could make it. Do you have a minute?”

The mayor nodded, and Jimmy led them away from the crowd and noise. “Mr. Mayor, this
isn’t working. We don’t have enough to go on here, and no one is about to open up
about a robbery they were afraid to report.”

“What if I can convince my friend to come forward and file an official report?”

Jimmy tucked his hands in his pockets. “That would help, but we need details. We don’t
know where to aim our investigation right now, so we’re just spinning our wheels.”

“I understand. I’ll see what I can do. Give me until the end of the week.”

Jimmy shrugged. Like he was going to say no to the mayor? Besides, there wasn’t another
event he’d be forced to go to during the week. Most of his week, he was able to just
be Detective O’Malley.

The mayor walked away and he went back to the bar. No sooner did he lean against the
hardwood when he saw Moira. She stood at the opposite end of the counter, looking
gorgeous with a broad smile on her face. She was talking to a man whose face he couldn’t
see. Then she leaned forward and patted his arm.

She was flirting with this guy.

As soon as she made that simple move, the guy had his opening. He reached up and toyed
with a lock of hair that framed her face. He was much too close and Jimmy straightened
with the intention of breaking up the intimate party. But then he stopped himself.
James was a married man tonight, and Moira was no one to him other than some reporter
that he knew casually. Blowing his cover wouldn’t be a smart move.

Stan starting talking about real estate again and excellent locations for James and
Gabby. He acted as though Jimmy had already hired him to find a place. Jimmy listened,
at least halfway, but his gaze tracked Moira. She’d left the bar and mingled through
the crowd. She stopped and talked to no fewer than five different men. None wore a
wedding band.

When she left the pavilion with one guy, Jimmy had had enough. “Excuse me, Stan, I’m
going to take a walk. Save us a spot at your table for dinner, and you can tell Gabby
all about your ideas for where we should look.”

“Will do.”

Taking his coat off and carrying it over his shoulder, Jimmy hoped to find a breeze
to cool himself down. Then he realized it wasn’t the weather making him hot, but Moira’s
teasing.

Once his eyes adjusted to the dark outside the pavilion, he glanced around and found
Moira and bachelor number six. He followed from a safe distance. Until the guy slid
his hand around Moira’s waist. Then Jimmy picked up the pace until he was almost alongside
them.

“Moira? Moira O’Leary?”

She stopped in her tracks and turned. Although she smiled, her eyes spoke volumes
of irritation. “Mr. Buchanan, nice to see you again.”

The man beside her dropped his hand from her body and held it out. “Mike Thornton.”

“James Buchanan.” He returned his attention to Moira. “I’m glad I ran into you. I’ve
been meaning to talk about that interview you wanted to do.”

She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. “I’m sorry. I thought I’d given
you my card. Feel free to call me at your convenience.”