Read Polly Iyer - Diana Racine 03 - Backlash for Free Online

club is honored.”
    “Thanks,” Diana said. “How did I miss coming here? Looks like a fun place.”
    “It is. Come on in. A drink for both of you, on the house.”
    “I’ll pay,” Lucier said. “I don’t want you to think I’m on the take, especially when I’m here partly on business.”
    “Suit yourself.” She waved over another tall, gorgeous woman and said, “Table twenty.” Turning to Lucier, “We’ll have some privacy. Meanwhile, enjoy the music. We’re mourning the loss of Keys, so it isn’t as raucous as usual. I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
    The second woman directed them to a quiet table off to the side but with a perfect view of the combo playing jazz on the small stage. Lucier ordered an Abita Amber, Diana scotch and soda.
    “Diluting your scotch?”
    “I know, and I hate it. This way I won’t drink as much. I told you I was going to cut back, and I have.”
    “You can fool yourself, but you’re drinking the same amount of scotch. I’m proud of you anyway.”
    “Okay, you got me. The drink lasts longer, so I only have one.”
    “I’m not monitoring you, Diana. How much you drink or don’t drink is your decision. Always has been. You’re a big girl.”
    “Thank you, darling.” She scoped out the bar. “Interesting crowd. Kitty is some dish. You two ever have anything going?”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Well, kinda. Why?”
    “Kitty ain’t a she. Neither is the woman who seated us.”
    Diana turned so fast, her hair flipped onto her shoulder. Kitty was looking straight at her with a shit-eating grin. Diana pivoted around just as fast.
    “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “You, who’ve worked Vegas? I thought you’d know immediately.”
    Diana had worked clubs around the world, seen it all from an early age. She remembered the first time she’d seen transvestites and transsexuals in Thailand. She couldn’t believe how beautiful and delicate they were. Definitely more female in stature than tall Miss Kitty, who had to be close to six feet. “I usually can. There are always telltale signs, the Adam’s apple for one. I guess she’s gone through some surgery.”
    “Don’t know. Won’t ask.”
    “And here I thought she was making a pass at you.”
    “Oh, she’s hit on me and a lot of guys to get their reaction. A miracle someone hasn’t punched out her lights when they found out she’s not a she. Well, she is, in a way.”
    Diana thought Lucier’s confusion about Miss Kitty rather charming.
    Their drinks came, brought by the second gorgeous woman, who winked at Lucier. When she left, a small, mixed-race guy dressed like either a pimp or a gangster sat down across the table from Diana. At least she thought he was a guy. Diana decided he was wearing more of a costume depicting the saloon-like theme of the bar rather than what he’d wear after hours.
    “Business or pleasure, Lieutenant, or shouldn’t I ask?”
    “Both. Emile Gaudet, this is ―”
    “Diana Racine,” Gaudet said. “I’m honored to have you in my club, madame.”
    “The pleasure’s mine.”
    “Emile and Miss Kitty are partners, in business and in life. Isn’t that right, Emile?”
    “Correct.” He cast his gaze at Miss Kitty, greeting someone at the door, now with a cosmopolitan in her hand. He turned to Diana. “She’s lovely, isn’t she?”
    Diana glanced at Miss Kitty’s backless gown. Backless to the crack in her ass, with skin as smooth and hairless as a newborn’s. “She makes me feel like a boy.”
    Emile exploded with a deep belly laugh, shaking the table and the drinks on top. “I heard you could be irreverent to your audience. Now I believe it.”
    Lucier’s smirk at Diana faded quickly.
    “Tell me about Keys, Emile. Who’d want to kill him?”
    “I don’t know,” Emile said, “and that’s the God’s truth. We’re devastated here. Best damn piano player in the Quarter. Anywhere, maybe.”
    “Lovers?”
    “Keys was a private man, but Kitty and I think he had