Callie's Last Dance (a Donovan Creed Novel) Read Free Page A

her hand and says, “Hi Dani. I’m Callie Carpenter.”
    They shake hands. Dani says, “And you’re Donovan Creed, the phony FBI agent.”
    Creed says, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Yes, you do,” she says. “You somehow managed to shut down the FBI’s investigation. You probably kept me out of jail.”
    “I probably did, but it wasn’t that big a deal. I knew you didn’t kill your husband.”
    Sophie says, “And how about you, Mr. Creed. Are you planning to kill some of our party guests today?”
    Dani punches her arm. “Jesus, Sofe!”
    Creed says, “I promise not to kill a single guest.”
    Dani notices a slight smile on Callie’s lips and says, “A married one, perhaps?”
    Callie changes the subject. “You enjoy being a private detective?”
    “Very much. When I get to help kids.”
    “You’re not carrying a gun.”
    “I own a small Glock, but hardly ever carry it.”
    “Because?”
    “Guns frighten me.”
    Callie frowns.
    Creed says, “So, you two are a couple?”
    Sophie puts her arm around Dani’s waist and pulls her close.
    “We are,” she says.
    The sound guy approaches and stands a respectful distance away, waiting to be noticed.
    Sophie says, “I need to do a sound check.”
    “I’ll go with you,” Callie says.
    Sophie looks at Dani, standing with Creed. “Want to come?” she says.
    “I’ll watch from here,” Dani says.
    While Sophie and Callie climb the steps onto the stage, Creed leans closer to Dani and says, “What’s it like?”
    “What?”
    “Being with a woman?”
    Dani smiles, but says nothing.
    After the sound check, Sophie and Callie come back over. Sophie says, “You’re smiling. What did I miss?”
    “I was right.”
    Sophie says, “You think?”
    Creed says, “Right about what?”
    Dani says, “You’re from Vegas?”
    “For the time being.”
    “Well, if you want, Sofe and I can show you where to find the best fashion in Cincinnati.”
    “Are you inviting me to go shopping with you?”
    Dani looks at Sophie. Then says, “Of course! It’ll be fun!”
    Callie says, “Donovan, go check out the pool.”
    “What?”
    Callie says, “Girl talk.”
    “Oh. Right.”

4.
    Donovan Creed.
    SOPHIE’S SINGING, DANI’S standing left of the stage, watching her. Callie and I stand a safe distance from the crowd that’s gathered to watch Sophie’s band.
    “Ready to dance yet?”
    “Are they playing our song?”
    She cocks her head and listens a moment, then wrinkles her nose.
    “We need a special song,” she says. “Something melodic and dreamy. Or at least something slow, with meaningful lyrics.”
    “I take it Love Dies doesn’t cut it?”
    “Not even.”
    “I’d like something from the sixties.”
    “Eighteen sixties?”
    “Funny.”
    “This is a progressive country band,” Callie says. “They’re not likely to play old fogey music.”
    “If they do, that’s our song.”
    “I don’t plan to wait that long. The very next song they play will become our song. Say it.”
    “Even if it’s Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer?”
    “Even if.”
    “Come to think of it, that would be funny.”
    “Say it.”
    “Next song they play is our song.”
    “Deal,” she says. “And we’ll dance to it?”
    “Deal,” I say.
    She smiles.
    “You spoke to the women,” I say.
    “Right.”
    “What did you learn?”
    “Dani thinks you’re gay.”
    “ What ?”
    Callie laughs.
    “Why would she possibly think that?”
    “She says you’re too pretty to be straight. Plus, you asked what it’s like to be with a woman.”
    “She told you I said that?”
    “She did.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s part of the sisterhood code.”
    “I’ll be right back,” I say, and walk over to Dani. I have to shout for her to hear me.
    “This isn’t my face!” I yell.
    She gives me a curious look, as if maybe the music is too loud to understand what I said. Then she hollers, “You look like that famous movie star. What’s his