Blake Backlash flashed a debonair smile at the seductive female poised near the bar.

"No good." Gabriel crossed out the line and started again.

Blake flashed a smile, a debonair killer smile. The fine female form caught it--like a glint of gold--and sauntered slowly, but oh, so, seductively towards him.

Much better, Gabriel decided.

"Excuse, what does it take to get some service around here?"

"What?" Gabriel stared in blank astonishment at the stranger who had breezed into his room--just like that. "I'm sorry, what do you want?"

The man held up a paperback. "I suppose you expect me to pay for this? Oh, man! I can't believe the kinda service around here. You actually gotta force the money on them."

"Yeah, er--how much is that?"

The customer glared at him. "Forget it," he stalked out. Gabriel blinked stupidly to himself, then went out.

The customer had left--the bell near the door was still jingling. Gabriel discovered to his surprise that Jill was no where in sight.

* * * * *

At the library, Grace had found a book by a writer named Ian Vaugh. The book explored the history of some of the larger plantation houses of New Orleans. Within it, she found a large chapter on Le Bon Temps. She decided to borrow it, and read it at her leisure.

* * * * *

Gabriel was caught by surprise when Jill emerged from the store room with another young woman around her age.

"So, that's where you've been," he said.

"You were looking for me, Boss?" Jill asked calmly. Her companion just smiled and looked away.

"Just wondering where my assistant went to, that's all," Gabriel tried to sound nonchalant, but failed. He was pissed. This was something Grace would not do. Grace--

--Is not working here anymore, Gabriel thought to himself.

"Sorry, Knight. I was just showing my friend around the place I work,"

"Hi, Jade Nolan," the companion smiled, waving.

Gabriel ceased his forehead. "That sounds familiar."

Jade shrugged. "I'm more famously known as The Mad Woman in the Attic. Cool, huh."

"Oh, so that's where I heard your name. You're performing tonight, right?"

"Yeah. Look, I gotta go." To Jill, "See you tonight, yes?"

"Yeah, sure. Bye." They embraced in a reluctant farewell before Jade left the store.

"You're going to The Attic tonight," Gabriel said evenly. Jill nodded.

"You were intending to go, too, Boss?" Jill asked.

"Maybe," he replied.

"Look, a table's been reserved for Jade. My name's on the VIP list. If you're interested you can come with me--if you don't mind sitting with me and her sister that is."

"Her sister? Is she pretty?" Gabriel smiled.

"I don' t think you're her type, Knight," Jill smiled back condescendingly.

"What about Jade?" Jill almost choked on that.

"Definitely not Jade, Knight."

"Why not?"

"Just trust me on this."