Vinny
Franny and I are sitting in my car, watching the interaction through the window. Monica and Cameo are flirting with Miller and Anderson. If the cops knew they were club whores, they wouldn’t give them the time of day.
Franny did a great job making them look less slutty. I hate to say that but, well, it’s true.
“They look like executives, don’t they?” Franny asks.
“Yeah, thank God. Where did you find those dress suits anyway?”
“There’s a second-hand story over on Main Street. A friend of mine did their hair and makeup. We couldn’t leave that up to Monica and Cameo. I don’t think they know the meaning of subtle.” Franny laughs, but never takes her eyes off the restaurant window.
“Are you sure they know their lines, Franny? Do they know how to get them to talk?”
“Vin, I coached them on what to say. They’re going to get them comfortable. Cameo will say that she wants to frame her boyfriend for a crime to get him out of her life. Monica will laugh like it’s a joke. We’ll see if they take the bait.”
I place my hand in Franny’s, thankful she’s in my life. I know she’s not really mine, but I’ll take what I can get.
“Franny, how did you get the recording device? It looks legit, like something the cops would use.”
Franny squeezes my hand. “Believe it or not, Vinny, I dated a cop once. Sometimes I helped him out on cases. I kept the device in case I ever needed to catch a cheating boyfriend.”
Miller and Anderson appear to be taken with Monica and Cameo. The four of them continue to talk over drinks.
“Vinny, if you could be anything in the world, what would you choose? Money’s no object.”
“Your husband,” I say, and I’m serious.
Franny whips her head over to look at me. I smile and squeeze her hand.
“Vinny, you know we can’t get married.”
“We could if I killed Dagger.”
“Christ, Vinny, that’s not even funny. You promised me you’d stay away from Dagger. I can’t have you getting involved with him.”
I give her a knowing smile. “A history professor,” I say, as I turn back to the restaurant window.
“History, huh? I never would’ve thought that.”
“I’ve always loved history. My teachers made me love it, and I’d like to do that too.”
“So, why don’t you? Go to school for it, I mean.”
I laugh because I could marry this woman, but we really don’t even know each other.
“I actually have a college degree in history, Kitten.”
Her eyes go wide. “So why don’t you do it? Go teach?”
Just as I’m about to answer, Monica and Cameo get up from the table. They don’t come out, so I expect they’re headed to the bathroom.
“What about you, Kitten? If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?”
Franny smiles, tilting the corner of her mouth. “I’d own an art gallery. I love being surrounded by paintings and sculptures.”
I laugh, because it is so opposite of what I would’ve thought. “Kitten, I’m just as surprised by this as you are by me.”
I lean over and press my lips against hers.
Franny’s phone dings, breaking the kiss. I look over at the text she just received, and watch as she replies.
Monica: Things are going well. These two seem to be hanging on our every word. We joked around about setting up Cameo’s boyfriend, then came to the bathroom. I’ll keep you posted.
Franny: Stay safe. Text help if you get in trouble.
“They set the trap. Things are moving along. I just hope those bastards slip up.”