Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara Page B

“My daughter is entitled to wear whatever she pleases, Gayla.”
    Obviously, no love lost between Bianca’s mom and the Domina.
    â€œI can handle this myself, thank you, Artemisia,” Bianca said. “I’m sorry, Your Eminence, but we’re not here for the festivities.”
    McManus stepped forward and held up his badge. “Now hang on a second, you can’t talk to her like that.”
    He glanced over at Bianca’s tight-lipped expression, but saw a slight twitch playing at the corner of her mother’s mouth.
    The Domina of New York straightened and wrinkled her nose as if he were something nasty she’d stepped in. “You can’t tell me what to do. Please leave. At once.”
    â€œApologies, Mistress Hilden,” Bianca said, pushing him aside and shooting him a death stare. “My colleague seems to have left his manners at home. Is there somewhere we can speak privately?”
    â€œYou have nothing to say that I want to hear,” the Domina said.
    â€œGayla, please! Listen to her,” Artemisia pleaded.
    â€œThis is my granddaughter’s enlightenment ceremony, and for passing her entrance exams into the Isis Institute this morning.”
    Bianca mouth’s dropped and her eyes went wide. “Oh my Goddess, now I know what the spell was for.”
    â€œWhat?” McManus asked.
    Bianca waved him off with a touch of irritation. She did that when she was on to something. “Have you seen Tiffany recently?”
    â€œYes, she’s just over . . .” Gayla Hilden scanned the room with more than a little desperation. “She was there a few minutes ago. I saw her.”
    â€œBut have you actually spoken to her recently?” Bianca asked.
    â€œI’ve been very busy,” the Domina said, sounding pissed again. “There are some very important people in attendance that have demanded my attention.”
    Bianca glanced at McManus. He nodded.
    â€œYour Eminence, a young woman was found murdered in the alley behind the hotel. We think it might be your granddaughter.”
    â€œTiffany?” The Domina’s hand fluttered close to her throat as she took a staggered step back, desperately searching the room again. “That’s impossible!”
    â€œIt’s been a few years since last I saw her,” Bianca said. “Do you have a recent photograph just to make sure?”
    The Domina regained her composure and snapped her fingers for her manservant. “Bixby, bring me my purse and find Tiffany.” When the servant disappeared, the Domina turned back to them with her mask of arrogance back in place, although somewhat shaky. “I’m sure there’s been some sort of mistake. Tiffany will be here in a moment to clear things up.”
    â€œI wish that was true, Your Eminence,” Bianca said.
    T he uncomfortable silence extended as they waited. Bianca looked at her mother, her expression carefully guarded. Artemisia and Gayla were far from the best of friends, but even her mother would not wish this on anyone.
    Bixby returned and leaned in to whisper in the Domina’s ear. Her face grew panicked and her gaze flicked to Bianca as she slid a photo from her wallet. “This was taken last week.” She sounded less sure than she had a few minutes ago.
    A grinning dark-ponytailed cheerleader waved from the snapshot. So young and full of life, not drained of blood in some dark filthy alley, but it was definitely the same girl. The eyes were a dead giveaway. She passed the picture to McManus, who glanced at it. The tilt of his head said he agreed.
    The Domina’s expression was expectant. “Well?”
    Bianca could not make the words come.
    McManus handed the picture back to the Domina and inclined his head with respect. “I regret to inform you that your granddaughter has been the victim of a murder, and we will need someone to formally identify the body.”
    â€œNo.” Gayla