Page 90 of Spring L.A.W.
Joell walked away from the revolving door and stepped delicately into the street where the bike was parked. She looked as if she didn’t care one whit what people thought of her incongruous attire and threw her leg over the bike.
Rick shook his head and handed her the helmet. “You’ll have to zip that bag all the way and wear him on your back. I won’t take you with me if he’s not completely contained.”
She rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever.”
What?No, she couldn’t do that. He had to be able to see where they were going.Okay, I admit it. I’m a control enthusiast. I don’t like the word freak. Just don’t?—
Next thing he knew, she pushed his head into the bag and zipped it shut. Then he was tossed about until he landed with his side against the warm, flat surface of her back. This body bag wasn’t necessary, and they both knew it.I guess in the interest of saving time, she had to let the cop have his way, but it’s dark and narrow in here. I think I feel a leg cramp coming on. I won’t meow. I’ll prove I can take it like a tomcat.
Jostled about some more, the motor started up and revved. Then all he knew was darkness, vibration, and noise. Rick yelled, “What about your dress?” and Joell answered, “Sit on it!”
Crowe heard some grumbling, or maybe that was just the motorcycle. Eventually, they got underway.
The ride was okay until Rick began to swerve in and out of traffic. It was kind of like being on the deck of a rolling boat. Joell had taken Crowe sailing a couple of times, so he knew what it felt like. He was sure she wouldn’t put him in this vulnerable position if riding a motorcycle proved any worse.
Cripes!Rick must have turned a corner. Crowe pretended he was in a hammock on the boat and just let it swing. Back and forth.
Oh dear.His stomach took a little longer than the rest of him to right itself.Okay, Crowe. Breathe. Close your eyes and breathe…
Ugh! Not again.He turned in the other direction this time.Stomach no likey.Crowe’s stomach was taking longer to return to normal.
Witches have an overactive gag reflex, he reminded himself. If he so much as retched, she’d gag.Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Picture yourself in a hammock, gently rocking. You are getting sleepy, sleepy… No, I’m getting queasy, queasy.
Oh Gods! Another turn. This time, his stomach didn’t bounce back at all. In fact, he felt so sick, he— No sooner had he formed the idea in his head than it happened.Yak…Disgusting! Hismorning cat food churned, spewed out, and coated the inside of Joell’s precious Louis Vuitton.
Damn.She’s going to be a very unhappy witch.
Then he heard her gag.
Yup. A very, very unhappy witch.
23
“So, what’s the plan?” Rick asked.
Joell had managed to overcome her retching and gagging without emptying her stomach. “Stay here. I’ll go in, ID the perp, then I’ll get him to pick me up and take me to his lair. You tail us, and don’t let him know he’s being followed.”
“Don’t worry. I know how to tail a suspect. But how are you planning to get him to pick you up? And what if it’s a woman? Can you use magic for that?”
Joell used her best femme fatale voice and said, “No magic necessary, handsome.”
Crowe felt them move up a step, heard a bell jingle, and tried to be as quiet and patient as possible. He was covered head to toe in his own puke, but there was really nothing to be done about it. At least, all of her personal items were stored in a separate zippered section. Can you imagine how upset she’d be if she had to clean her hairbrush, cosmetics, and receipts? As it is, Bas will really appreciate getting the dry-cleaning bill.
They seemed to be lingering in one spot for quite a while. At last, an authoritative female voice called out, “Prescription for Gabriel Moore?”
“That’s mine,” said a gruff male voice.
When Joell finally opened the bag, Crowe tried to be considerate. He leapt out as far from her as he could. He didn’t spatter her dress at all, but she gagged anyway.
Crowe had only seconds before Mount Wonder Witch erupted. Where could he hide? Dashing away, looking for a shielded spot, he accidentally tripped the only other person in the store. An unfortunate-looking young man, acne-scarred and buck-toothed. Crowe was willing to bet this wasn’t the model, but some patsy sent to fetch his prescription.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Joell ran to the guy and helped him up, then promptly went into her ditzy routine. “My naughty pussy ran between your legs. Are you all right?” She brushed off his pants, subtly coming close to certain sensitive spots.
The guy gave her a sinister smile. “I guess if I weren’t, I could probably sue.”
“Oh! There’s no need to do that. Really. I couldn’t afford to be sued since I spend all my money on clothes and accessories. How else can I make it up to you?” She actually batted her eyelashes.
This had to be the guy she was looking for. She’d only play along with a ruse like that if she wanted something important out of it.
