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Come on.” She hopped off the barstool, took his hand and pulled him along as she wound her way through the crowd.
    Horace sighed, felt a surge of relief when another couple followed. The woman was still slow dancing with the older guy, still had her eyes closed. Horace turned away from her as Sadie wrapped her arms around his neck. He put his hands around her waist.
    “ I feel it,” she whispered into his ear, “your gun, up against my, ah, chest.”
    “ Look,” Horace whispered back, “I might have to leave quick like. You know, if they go. I gotta follow them.”
    “ I know,” she said.
    “ I wouldn’t want you to think I was running out on you. I’m working, it’s my job.”
    “ You could call me when you finish. Sadie Sanders, I’m in the book.”
    “ It might not be tonight, tomorrow okay?”
    “ When you can. It’s okay.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
    The DJ played another slow song and another after that. Horace had trouble keeping an eye on the woman as more couples took to the dance floor. Soon most of the bar was dancing and he was tempted to forget her and concentrate on Sadie. But then he remembered Virgil across the street. He had to be getting plenty worried by now.
    “ Do you believe in fate, Horace?” Sadie whispered.
    “ Yeah,” Horace said.
    “ I think there might be something for you and me. Maybe not right away, but I think we’re destined for a relationship.” She pulled him in close. He felt the heat of her and it caused him to shiver. “You don’t have be afraid,” she said.
    “ I’m not.”
    “ You are.”
    “ Maybe a little.”
    Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Sure he’d had beautiful women in his time, but he’d always had to work at it and in the end they’d always left. For a time, he blamed it on his family. After all, who in their right mind would want anything to do with Ma? And then there was Virgil. But as he got older, he had to admit the fault was within himself. He’d never been able to commit to anyone. It didn’t take women long to figure that out.
    But there was something about Sadie. Something different.
    “ It’s kinda quick,” she said. “But you know when it’s right.”
    “ Yeah,” he said.
    “ They’re going, the ones you’re supposed to be watching.”
    “ Damn, I forgot.” He pulled away from her.
    “ Just a second.” She still had her arms around his neck. She pulled him in. Kissed him hard. “Just so you don’t forget to call.”
    “ I won’t.”
    “ Go.” She kissed him again, quick.
    “ See ya.” Horace backed away.
    Outside, he saw the couple turn the corner and head down toward the beach. He sprinted across the street. Inside the diner, he dropped a fifty on the table. “Keep the change,” he told the waitress. Then to Virgil, “Come on, we gotta go.”

Chapter Four
     
    Jasmine wouldn’t stop worrying until her mom was back and they were inside the condo with the doors locked. She peeked through the blinds. She had a good view of her condo from the clubhouse on the third floor.
    “ This is a stupid way to spend Saturday,” Sonya said. She was Jasmine’s best friend. They sat next to each other in school. She’d turned eight a week ago and she’d been lording it over Jasmine, the age difference, and she’d keep it up till the week after next, when Jasmine’s birthday came around.
    “ The Ghost is back.” Jasmine pushed her blonde hair out of her eyes. They’d been up here since breakfast, without the air-conditioning on. It was hot. She was sweating. They had the window open a crack, but the little bit of sea breeze slipping in wasn’t enough.
    “ Let me see!” Sonya’s brown eyes were open wide as she replaced Jasmine at the window. Tiny, honey brown fingers pulled the blinds apart. She was afraid of the Ghost. “He’s so spooky.”
    “ He’s a policeman.” Jasmine moved up next to her. The one who looked like a ghost had come before, with the police, so Jasmine