Free Diva 03 _ Diva Paints the Town, The by Krista Davis Page A

noticed me, I backtracked and cut up a side street.
    When I swung open the gate that led to my service alley, someone squealed. I peered behind it and found Nina crouching on the ground. She tugged me inside and held a finger to her lips.
    “What’s going on?” I whispered.
    “Do you see anyone?”
    I peeked over the gate. “Who am I looking for?”
    “There’s no one hanging around, watching?” She rose up just enough to see the street.
    “Does this have something to do with Kurt?” I feared the stress of Kurt’s disappearance was playing on Nina’s nerves. “C’mon”—I motioned to her—“there’s no one there.”
    She followed me into my kitchen. “I’m not so sure. Have you told anyone about Kurt?”
    “I haven’t mentioned your name.”
    Mochie head-butted Nina, and she ran a hand over his shiny fur. “I was putting up lost dog notices about Emmaline, and I got the feeling someone was watching me.” She carried Mochie to the bay window and looked out while I packed the food for Mordecai’s soiree.
    “Kurt has you spooked.” I eased the crudités and dip into a box with the bread and blondies. “Did you actually see anyone?”
    “It’s just a feeling. I kept seeing a thin blond looking into store windows, but she might have been shopping.”
    I smacked her hand when she reached for a blondie. “Could it have been Tara? The cop who came to Mordecai’s?”
    She frowned at me. “I don’t know. She wasn’t wearing a uniform. Why would she follow me anyway? If you didn’t mention my name, she wouldn’t have any reason to tail me.”
    I loaded a second box with food while Nina fidgeted and looked out the window. “I think it’s Kurt,” she finally said.
    “Nina! Why would he do that? You’ve been watching too many horror movies.”
    “It’s all coming back to me—why we broke up. He can be a mean, vindictive person. I think he’s trying to punish me for dumping him all those years ago. Is it okay if I go over to Mordecai’s with you? I want to search that house from top to bottom.”
    I held out the box with the quiche and the daiquiri ingredients. “As long as you give me a hand.” I didn’t think Nina would find Kurt hiding in a closet at Mordecai’s, but she needed something to keep her busy, and she would probably feel better if she weren’t alone.

    An hour before the guests were to arrive, the quiche was baking in Mordecai’s oven, and Nina was on the third floor, looking through closets.
    When I heard footsteps, I thought Nina had given up on her search, but it was Natasha who discovered me in the butler’s pantry, whipping up strawberry daiquiris in the blender. She shrugged off her coat. “What do you think you’re doing? Are you baking?”
    I explained about Mordecai’s last request.
    Her mouth flapped open angrily, but then a laughing fit overcame her. “That’s what he left you? A job?” She cackled with glee. “I couldn’t for the life of me understand why he left you something and not me. I’m the one who invited him to my home. I’m the one who tried to befriend him. I even threw my mother at him, for pity’s sake.”
    Fists on her hips, Natasha continued, “If she’d only listened to me, this house would belong to her today. Not to some yappy little fur ball.”
    She inspected the assortment of foods that were ready to be served. “Not the most creative menu, Sophie. You should have asked me for suggestions. I mean, really, no one has served quiche in years.”
    “Fine. Think of it as a cheese tart.”
    “Well, that’s different. But blondies?”
    “Mordecai requested this menu.”
    “ Hmmph . You’d think he would have asked my advice or asked me to throw his little party. Everyone knows I’m better at these things than you are.” She inhaled sharply. “Unless I’m a guest, of course. That would explain everything.”
    I ignored her slight but pointed out a little too gleefully that all the invitees had already been notified.
    When