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"She’s really a Yankee," Nikki whispered in a teasing aside

Madame rolled her eyes "That’s hush-hush," she said "Are you going to be hiring this guy?" she asked Nikki

Brent cocked his head slightly, studying Nikki She realized that the idea had already occurred to hih it hadn’t crossed herat Brent "Max makes everyone pass a test first, you know"

"I’ to bet I can pass any test on New Orleans you throay," he told her

"We’ll see about that," she said

Patricia and Nathan had coo sit," Madame called to thes out coffee, beignets and some juice, how’s that?" she asked Nikki

"You’re too good to us," Nikki said

"Tourists," Patricia gruroup of them on her way to the table just off the street Despite the heat of the sun, Madame’s sidewalk café area was cool and co and a striped canvas overhang that kept out the most rays of the sun

"May I remind you to be nice to tourists? We survive off the She was looking at Brent Blackhawk "Hi," she said with a flirty s up behind her and studying Blackhawk "I’m Nathan, and this is Patricia"

"Nice to meet you," Brent said, and introduced hilance Nikki’s way as she asked hiuide?" she asked

"I’ for a position," he said

"That was fast," Nathan told Nikki He was doing his best to sound pleasant, but he, too, had a slight accusatory note in his tone

Julianup to the table on the terrace "Brent Joining us again?"

"You two know each other?" Patricia asked

"We’ve met a couple of tiood addition to your group here--at least as a temporary fill-in," he finished

Patricia looked at Julian, as frowning as he looked at Brent

"I have a shirt just like that," he said

"This is your shirt," Brent said "Nikki convinced me you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed it"

They all stared at her then She felt herself blush, because she knew exactly what they were thinking

"Julian, I really didn’t think that you’dhis hands

A little sly "I see"

"Brent is a friend," Nikki said

"A new friend," Julian said

"Oh?" Nathan murmured

"Hey, there’s Mitch," Nikki said She waved to attract his attention

Mitch walked over to the curiously at Brent as he came "Hi"

"Brent is Nikki’s new friend," Patricia said after more introductions had been made

"Julian’sat Julian

"There was a little fracas the other night," Nikki said, "and Brent stepped in on our side" She glared at Julian, the look in her eyes warning hihosts, or the fact that they had officially met Brent at the police station

"How nice," Patricia said "I mean, not that there was a fracas"

Julian waved a hand disrudgingly, Nikki thought, "It was a good thing Brent happened on us"