"Ummm," Trudy said, trudging over with Winona. "Mina. Why is your former boss the mayor of the city now?! Wasn't he supposed to be

...you know,"

"DEAD!" Winona said, twiddling her cobweb painted fingernails.

Mina winced and everyone glared at the gloomy girl. "Sorry," Winona said, her deep voice winding up into a soft squeak. "I couldn't help myself. I have OGD...Obsessive Gothic Disorder."

Mina ignored her friend's compulsions. "It's so weird. How does he remember me, but not who he is?!"

"Perhaps," Blind remarked, finger to his chiseled chin. "Mr. Lockwood is working undercover. You did say, Mina, that he regretted his ties with the Aura."

"My lawdy!" Mina said, gazing across at the new mayor who was helping himself to some pumpernickel. "You could be right. Oh geez, I hope I didn't blow his cover right now. We really need a good mayor after..."

Monty Banks cleared his throat, causing Mina to giggle nervously. "Sorry," she laughed, rubbing her hand behind her head.

But her eyes bulged open abruptly, when she watched Ashley Ryan, suddenly approached him. Together, they spoke and Mina wished she could hear what they were saying. But before she could do some impromptu sleuthing, Ashley, Ebony and his wife all headed towards the glass staircase leading to the upper level of the penthouse. "Get outta town!" Mina remarked, gripping Blind's broad shoulder.

"What just happened?" the head prosecutor remarked.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Raven...or I'm sorry, Ebony, just left with his wife, and that snooty-batooty Ashley."

"He must really like petite blonds!" Monty chuckled but everyone other than Blind glared daggers at him. (Blind managed a grimace.)

"Kind of amazed..." Blind said, facing Mina. "That Ashley's back in Business Park. Especially with what happened between us. No idea she had the gaul to show her face here again."

Mina shook her head definitely. "My gawd Willy, you have a whole pitcher of sweet T and you won't pour it out for us!"

Blind placed his brisk hands on Mina's bare shoulders. She shivered but in a good way. "I will tell you, Mina," he said, looking down at her. "But away from here and everyone else."

"Ooh, howabout on the balcony!" Mina said, pointing to a large outdoor patio behind a giant pair of glass doors.

Winona and Trudy looked disappointed, but Monty Banks seemed more interested in some of the local celebrity women who were attending the gala.

"I'm sorry, guys," Mina said, "This is something super duper personal. Secret T!"

Trudy narrowed her eyes with a coquet smirk and pressed her thick hands together. "Methinks you two wanna get some private time."

Winona and Trudy both chanted "Brown chicken brown cow!" causing Mina (and Blind surprisingly) to shade redder than the punch bowl.

They both winked at Mina and walked away (Monty has gone off on his own too) leaving Blind and Mina alone. Mina quickly took Blind's hand and placed it on her dress of purple silk. "I'll lead the way. Just follow my silkiness smoothness!"

Blind did just that and together, she guided him through the crowd. They emerged through the glass doors and into the cool winter air. Mina continued to weave past party guests enjoying the view and the fancy food until they got to the edge of the hotel balcony.

The view of Business Park was marvelous. Tiny golden lights brightened the streets and buildings that rivaled the stars themselves. Mina neglected to mention the view because Blind would not be able to enjoy the same sights. Blind tilted his head down at her. She looked at him, smiling at the starlit handsomeness of his face.

"Before I spill this so-called T," he said. "You have to tell me one very important thing, rookie."

"Uh, what?" Mina asked, a strange knot tied itself in her stomach.

"How come you've been avoiding me since our date..."