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"We'll be playing a variety of tunes for you today-everything from hymns to reels and jigs and an occasional tear jerker," Jamie said just as they made it to the edge of the stage.
Audie was breathless as she sca
"We'll be doing three sets, so hang around, eat a lot, and don't forget to drink. Because you know our motto-"
Every cop onstage and half of the crowd called out in unison: "The more you drink the better we sound!"
"Oh, shit, mon!" Griffin yelled into Audie's ear. "I've died and gone to Irish cop hell!"
Audie couldn't laugh-she was too busy staring up at Qui
"Is this your way of punishing me for all those Saturday nights at the Wild Hare reggae club?" Griffin screamed.
She just smacked his arm and kept staring.
Well now. This was not exactly what she expected to feel, was it? She gawked at the sight before her, realizing that if she considered each element independently, the sight of Stacey Qui
But she wasn't laughing. Instead she took in the complete picture of him and her heart jumped into her mouth. He was magnificent. Helooked strong and proud and so sexy it should be illegal. And as they began to play, his face pulled in concentration as he blew into the mouthpiece and his fingers flew over a singlerow of airholes.
The sound was deep and crushing, and Audie looked around to see an audience full of people just like her, looking up with awe. Some were smiling with joy and others were frowning with absorption, but nobody could be bored by this musical assault.
Audie observed how Qui
Her body trembled despite the heat.
"You all right?"
Audie turned to Griffin and nodded. "Just a little overwhelmed!" she shouted.
Jamie stood right next to his son, looking like a big gray bear in plaid, his legs as thick as tree trunks. Jamie's face was rigid with concentration and radiated the same delight she saw in Qui
They obviously loved doing this, and their joy was contagious. Audie broke out in a wide, happy grin.
Just then Qui
"You know what these Celtic types wear under their kilts, don't you?" Griffin shouted into her ear.
"Not a thing?"
"That's what I hear."
Audie crossed her arms under her breasts and closed her eyes, letting the music sweep over her, carry her to another place. And before she knew it, the Garda Pipe and Drum Band was done with its first set.
Somewhere in the middle of a song Jamie had introduced as "Roddy McCorley," Audie felt a tug on the hem of her sundress and looked down to the smiling face of Kiley Qui
Sheila took her daughter for most of the third set, and Audie enjoyed the slower melodies Pat said were called airs, and he apparently knew all the words.
"I take it you've been to this show before?" Audie asked him.
Pat's eyes creased in amusement as he smiled at Audie. "Just a time or two," he said, wrinkling his nose.
Just then, Audie felt a set of smooth hands run over her bare arms, and she turned around to see Tim Burke smiling down at her, looking cool, blond, and debonair in his khaki summer suit.
He offered Griffin a firm, friendly handshake that Griffin ended abruptly, then turned to Pat for a much less hearty greeting.
"Pat."
"Timmy."
Audie's entire body began humming with the awareness that something very, very bad was about to happen. Based on just the few details she'd been given, the prospect of mixing Tim Burke with beer and the entire Qui
She had the mental picture of one of her home ec projects gone awry.
Before she realized it, Tim had leaned in and kissed her on her cheek. He let his lips stray to her ear and he whispered hoarsely, "You look good enough to eat today, sweetheart."
Audie jerked away. "What? Get lost. I'm listening to the band." She was also feeling the eyes of every Qui
Audie risked looking up at Qui
Jamie threw his son a look of daggers, and Qui
Audie heard Tim sniggering in her ear. "Oh, yes. They're quite a talented bunch of drunks."
She stiffened, not only at his words but also at the sight of Michael pushing closer, his face red and his body puffed up and ready for a fight.
"I don't understand you, Audie," Tim continued, still close to her ear. "You're sending me mixed messages."
She turned around and scowled. "What mixed messages?"
"Well, you've not returned any of my calls, but then I get one of your nice-"
"Get the hell out of my face! How about that for being clear?" she shouted.
Audie realized that Griffin was slowly backing away and pulling on her arm, his eyes bouncing from Tim to Qui
Tim leaned into her and touched her hair. "Don't be fooled, Audie. The Qui
Michael was upon them now, his face crimson, and she felt Griffin grab her shoulders and pull her away just as the roar of bagpipes deflated into a sour wail and something-or someone-sailed over her head.
Qui
"No fucking way, mon," was Griffin's commentary as Audie stood with her mouth hanging open, shaking her head, watching Qui
The shocked crowd eased back as most of the band members jumped from the stage and pulled their weapons on the vice mayor, now facedown on the sticky ice-cream-and-pizza-smeared blacktop.
"For the love of Christ, put your weapons away!" shouted the man Audie recognized as Commander Co
Jamie pulled his son off Tim Burke and glared at him with a
Tim began to curse and spit with rage and embarrassment.
Jamie gave him a friendly push forward. "Go away, Timmy," he said softly.
Tim staggered toward Qui
Qui
Tim Burke took one second to stare at Qui
Only then did Qui
"Are you all right?"
She gaped at him.
"Audie! Are you all right?"
"Am I all right?" Her body was shaking from the sudden drop in adrenaline as she screamed at the top of her lungs, "I'm fine! But you people are completely insane!"