Free 4 Yip/Tuck by Sparkle Abbey Page A

definitely drag queens.”
    I looked closer at the photo. Something clicked in my brain. “Oh. My. Gosh.” You could have knocked me over with a feather. “Jackie O is Jack O’Doggle.”

Chapter Fourteen
     
    THE KITTY KAT Club had a reputation for over-the-top fun and bawdy humor. I’d Googled the club and found their website in seconds. There was a show tonight at eleven. It had taken some cajoling and begging, but I’d finally talked Darby into going with me. It was decided that I’d pick her up at ten.
    Then I called Betty’s daughter, Valerie. After a brief chat, I realized why Betty wanted out of the house. Valerie seemed fixated on her need to be the center of attention rather than her mother’s need to keep active. I hired Betty to work four hours Monday through Friday.
    I told her to come back the next day at noon for some official training. That would give me time to run a background check, too. You never know.
    After Betty and Darby had gone, I printed out the addresses I’d promised Malone and ran them over to the police station. For once, luck was on my side. Malone was otherwise occupied. I left the report with the clerk and skedaddled before my luck ran out.
    I loved adventure and new experiences, but even I felt apprehensive about tonight. On the drive home, I racked my brain for anyone who might have some pointers. Then it came to me. The perfect person was right under my nose.
    The minute I opened my front door, Missy greeted me with snorts and kisses. I loved her up and told her I missed her. While I filled her dog bowls with water and kibble, Missy found her leash and dragged it to the kitchen.
    “You wanna go for a walk?” I scratched her head with all the adoration I felt for my pooch. “Okay, let’s go.” I grabbed my cell and off we went.
    While we were on our walk, Darby called to let me know Caro had agreed to a few outdoor shots. I promised to be at Caro’s by nine forty-five the next morning.
    Once Missy was finished with her doggie business, inspecting every bush and tree along the route, we returned home.
    I pulled my cell from my back pocket and called Kendall Reese, groomer extraordinaire.
    “Divine Dog Spa,” a female voice answered.
    “Hi. This is Melinda Langston. Is Kendall there?”
    “Hold on a minute.” I heard her set the phone down. Dogs barked and howled in the background as I waited.
    I dropped to the couch and pulled off my boots. I’d met Kendall a couple of months ago and immediately enjoyed his flamboyant personality. If anyone knew their way around a drag club, he had to be the one.
    “Kendall here,” he said with poise and professionalism.
    “Hey, it’s Melinda Langston. I have a huge, huge favor to ask.”
    “Girlfriend, if this is about Fluffy, forgetaboutit. That doggie doesn’t like me.” His feminine voice, full of Latin attitude, filled my ear.
    I was pretty sure there was a hand-wave and snap that I couldn’t see at the end of that sentence.
    “Snob Dog doesn’t like anyone. Don’t take it personally. I called because my friend and I were hoping you’d come with us to the Kitty Kat Club tonight? You know, show us the ropes.”
    “Ooooh. Are you gettin’ your inner diva on?” he asked excitedly.
    I smiled. “Something like that. What do you say? Are you in?”
    “Sounds fab-u-lous.”
    I looked down at my jeans and T-shirt. “One last question. What do we wear?”
    KENDALL HAD TWO syllables of advice. “Spar-kle.” Snap.
    I decided on my black Rachel Zoe sequined shift dress and t-strap gold pumps. I pinned my hair into an intricate updo with sideswept bangs. A little something I’d learned during my pageant days. Darby kept her hair down and wore a more understated navy Michael Kors number and nude platform shoes.
    “Yoo-hoo, Melinda. Over here,” a sing-song voice clamored above the music.
    For a second I thought I was trapped in a bad music video. A tall, wiry man Soul Trained across the crowded floor in tight, black tuxedo