Thicker Than Water. Lindy Cameron

know," Hector raised his palms, "you want me to trace the Russian's international movements. Man, I feel like the spy who came in from the rain."

      "I do want you to do that, yes," Kit agreed, "but I was also wondering if you're doing anything tonight. I mean this evening for an hour, or so."

      Hector scratched his head thoughtfully. "I'm meeting a friend for dinner later, but I can do whatever with you until 7.30, as long as it takes no more than half an hour to get home from wherever we're going. Does that help?"

      "It's perfect. I need back up when I pay a visit on Queenie Riley."

      Enzo raised his hands dramatically and said, "Um?"

      "What?" Kit queried.

      "What indeed!" Enzo declared. "What have you done with the Kit O'Malley who, just last night, said that checking out the Rileys was something no sensible person would do without a whole force of nice police persons covering their cute little arse?"

      "Ah well you see, that was last night before Queenie herself paid a visit to The Terpsichore wishing to talk to Angie about what she'd found. The cops wouldn't let Ma Riley do that but, in order to prevent a repeat visit, I'm going to head trouble off at the corner of Wessex and Vine, by dropping in on the sweet old thing myself. I can answer any questions she has about the finding of the very dead body of her sweet nephew Gerald."

      "O'Malley?" Hector said, extra-cheerfully. "I'm sorry, but I believe I've just remembered a prior, earlier, important engagement."