AUTHOR NOTE: Here is the last part of Chapter 15, to give you some context for Chapter 16, which follows. Happy reading!

END OF CHAPTER 15

Greg looked and saw Lola, the "reformed" prostitute, coming across the dance floor toward the Dupree family's table. Behind her, he saw Big C listening to a message from Irving (who had an earplug pressed to one ear). Big C and Irving turned to look at the Dupree table with scowling new interest.

"Dang!" said Greg, and he tried to leave the table unseen, but he didn't make it.

Lola sashayed up to the Dupree table, using a lot of hip action, and launched into the shrill, far-sounding Call of the North American Big-Breasted Floozie: "Gregory Hallstead, you sweet Montana marshmallow! What are you doing here?"

CHAPTER 16 - INCOMING

Gino and Marco now turned their heads toward the sound. Terry, Irene, and Stefan practically overturned their chairs trying to see who had come up behind them.

At Big C's table, Emerald spilled her drink, and Big C looked from her to Greg and back again.

Greg's wide eyes tried to comprehend reality in a skin tight metallic dress, rushing toward him around the table now, with open arms.

"You're not here on business, are y--?" Lola tried to say.

Greg cut off her breath when he grabbed her around the waist as if he were drowning and she was a lifeguard's buoy. "Dance with me!"

He spun her onto the dance floor, holding her very close, kissing her every time she managed to draw a breath and try to speak.

Gino, Marco, and Irving watched every move.

Big C motioned to Irving.

At the Dupree table, the family trio watched in shock.

"I suppose this one's 'all over,' too," said Terry.

"She's definitely 'all over' him, if that's what you mean," said Irene.

"Oh my dear lord," said Stefan.

When Irving showed up at Big C's table in response to his boss's hand signal, Big C nodded toward Gregory and said, "I thought you said that guy was a limpwrist."

"I know, boss. I guess he swings both ways," Irving said with a shrug.

Emerald let out an involuntary squeak and avoided looking at anyone.

On the dance floor, after the fourth time Greg kissed her into silence, Lola smiled at him knowingly.

"That's better," Greg whispered, his lips actually touching her ear. "Now, listen. We're a long way from the red-light district on Biscayne Boulevard, and I don't care what you're doing here. I'm not here to bust you or any of the girls. My name is Gregory Hallstead Dupree, and you can say anything you like about how you know me, you just cannot say I'm a cop. Please."

"Mind if I cut in, son?" Stefan tapped Gregory on the shoulder.

Greg looked at Stefan, apparently confused. "I don't know, Dad ..."

Lola smiled at Stefan with professional interest. 

Greg looked at Lola; he seemed to be waiting for an answer.

"Shame on you, Gregory Hallstead Dupree! You never told me you had such a handsome father!" Lola slid gracefully out of Greg's arms and into the embrace of Stefan. They danced off into the crowd.

Greg took a step backward and bumped into Marco, a solid column of muscle.

"Is everything satisfactory, Mister Dupree?"

"Wonderful. Thank you. Excuse me." Greg slipped around Marco and hurried into the men's room.

Inside the lavatory, Greg washed his face, ran his hand through his hair, looked at himself in the mirror, and appeared to pull his nerves together.

"Dang!" he breathed.

Back in the dining room, Big C rose from his table, kissed Emerald, and left the room. Irving took a step closer to Emerald's table, keeping watch. Emerald lifted her drink with shaky hands and watched the dancing.

By the time Greg was able to saunter calmly out of the men's room and back to the family table, Stefan had returned from dancing with Lola. As Greg took his seat beside them he said, "Thanks, Dad. That was close."

"Close?" said Irene. "You wanna talk 'close'? If there were any fleas in her brassiere, you killed 'em, Arthur Murray." She lifted her glass to Greg in mock salute.

Greg grimaced and looked around the room. "Where did she go?"

"To some gentleman's room, I expect," Stefan said.

"Not Lola, Terry. Where's Terry?"

Irene motioned to the far side of the room. Terry and Lola, heads together, talked like intimate friends. Then they left the restaurant, with Lola's hand on Terry's elbow.

Stefan said, "Oh my dear lord!"

Irene said, "That's my girl!"

Greg rose from his chair. "Where's she going?"

His mother scolded him. "She's doing her job, Gregory. Sit down. ... I said, sit down!"

"Mind your mother," said Stefan firmly.

Greg slumped back into his chair. Gino, Marco, and Irving had taken an interest in his movements. Greg made eye contact with each of them, and with Emerald – looking nervous at her table.

Greg's eyes returned to his own table. Irene and Stefan were watching the watchdogs, without seeming to.

Greg vowed, "If she's not back in fifteen minutes, I'm going after her."

"What are you, the one-man cavalry?" said Irene. "We're a team, General Custer, remember? If there's going to be a last stand – worse case scenario – we'll make that stand together. Do you get that?"

Stefan covered Irene's hand on the table with his own. "He'll figure it out, dear."

Greg looked at his watch. All three of them pretended to watch the dancing.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Where has Terry gone with Lola? How close is Greg to being pegged by Big C as a cop? How bad is it that Big C knows Greg is one of Emerald's ex-boyfriends? And aren't Stefan and Irene getting along well! Who woulda thunk it.

Thanks for reading. I look forward to your votes and comments.  Stay home, healthy, and safe during the Corona pandemic, dear friends.  I look forward to sharing with you soon the next installment of Emerald's Secret.