Hughson introduced me to the tall guy. He said: “Nick, I want you to meet Lee Curtis,” then turning his head he went on: “Curtis, this is—”
Mardi interrupted him. She broke in quite naturally: “Oh, Barry, who’s the funny little man over there?”
Hughson grinned. “That’s Mo Ackie. The smartest news-hawk on the street. Come on over and meet him.”
He led them away from me and Ackie started doing his stuff right away. I was learning fast. First, Mardi didn’t want me to show that I’d met her and, second, she didn’t want the big guy to know my name. I added that together. I was in a spot. I wanted to go over and get friendly with the girl, but obviously she didn’t want Curtis to get any inkling, so I had to stay there and water at the mouth.
Dawn came over to me. “Dance with me, hot man,” she said. “Crush me up in your arms. My instincts are starving.”
I could have gladly wrung her neck, but thought I’d better mix in with the crowd. Mardi and Curtis were talking in a corner with Hughson. Curtis had his back to me, but Mardi kept her eyes on me as I shuffled around the room.
Dawn said: “You might pay me a little attention. That brunette isn’t going to fall for you.”
I jerked my eyes away from Mardi and grinned at her. “You don’t need to worry,” I said. “Anyway, you could have the curly-haired guy, if she did.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want him,” she said.
I manoeuvred her to the far end of the room. “What do you know about him?” I asked, jerking gently to the swing.