My fingers raced up the keyboard in a long arpeggio before I ended my song, and gave a nod of finality. There was a smattering of applause as I swirled around on the piano seat to face my audience. I took a drink from the cup on the edge of the piano, then watched the people in the speakeasy as they talked, smoked, and drank.

I turned back around and began a slow, dreamy piece, adding little flourishes as I went along. Throw a seventh in there, and...a suspension! I grinned, my mind drifting away to think of other things besides the music. Things like...Bruce. I wondered what he was doing right now.

I played and played until everyone had left, having satisfied their cravings for music and muffins. The place was empty now and would be empty until evening came. I got up and pushed the piano stool into place, then went to a corner table with a couple of muffins.

"Bruce. We need to talk." Two men slid into a chair across from me, both dressed in dark coats and hats.

I set my muffin down. "I'm Bruce's brother. The name's Buck. Just Buck."

The two men glanced at one another and one held out his hand. "Brody Delaney. Don't think Bruce ever mentioned he had a brother." I snorted, but didn't say anything else. Delaney went on, "I'm here for my boss. His name is - was - Shamus McGinty."

He was watching my face, so I'm sure he saw my eyes widen. "Was?"

"So you know who he is."

"Was," I corrected, smirking. "Sure, everyone knew not to mess with McGinty and his gang."

Delaney frowned and eyed me suspiciously. "McGinty was found dead night before last. He had a wife - Louise - and I'm trying to clear her name."

Huh. I took a bite from one of my muffins and the word cake-eater came to mind - a word that described McGinty perfectly. And maybe Delaney, too. "And why would you be wanting to clear McGinty's wife?"

Delaney's frown grew. "None of your beeswax, Buck. I just wanna know where you were the night McGinty died."

"Why me?"

"I'm looking at all the people who might have wanted to give McGinty the kiss-off. So, let's have the lowdown."

I thought back to two nights ago, when Bruce and I had met at the Rusty Nail.

"Buck?" Bruce stepped into the alleyway where I was waiting for him.

"Hey." We shook hands and I looked him over. "You look..."

He shook his head. "Shabby. I know."

"So...why did you want to meet?"

"Since when does there have to be a reason for meeting my brother?"
I rolled my eyes. "Enough bull, Bruce. What do you want?"

He sighed and put his hand on my shoulder, guiding me towards the door of the Rusty Nail. "I need more kale."

I shook his hand off and turned to face him. "Why?"

"Don't ask questions. Just hand over some dough."

I was about to reach into my pocket when a few men appeared near the alley where we had just been. Bruce looked back and swore under his breath. "I need the money now, Buck," he said shortly. I wordlessly handed him a roll of bills. He thumbed through them and exhaled. "Go inside. Wait for me."

I frowned. "Wh-"

"Just go." He shoved me toward the door of the speakeasy, and I stumbled inside, casting one backwards glance at the men. They were close enough now that I could see who one of them was. Shamus McGinty.

I ordered a muffin for both of us and waited. I waited until the speakeasy was nearly empty, but Bruce didn't come back that night. I wondered if underneath all that brusqueness, he'd been afraid of something. If in some strange brotherly way that I didn't understand, he'd been protecting me from something.

I looked up at Delaney. "Bruce wanted to meet at the Rusty Nail that night. He wanted money and he left in a hurry."

Delaney grunted. "I already knew Bruce was at the Nail. I was one of the men with Shamus."

My throat suddenly felt tight, but I wasn't sure why. "Where...where's Bruce?"

Delaney's eyebrows shot up. "You don't know?"

"Would I be asking if I didn't?"

"I don't know either," Delaney said, quickly enough that I believed him. "He...ah...gave...the money to us."

I raised one eyebrow. "Gave?"

Again, Delaney exchanged glances with the other man and shrugged. "More or less. Tell me, Buck," he leaned forward, "is Bruce the kind of person who would kill for revenge? Say...if someone beat him up?"

So Bruce needed the money to pay Shamus off for something. And he got beaten up. I shrugged, feeling as though I'd jumped into a deep river and couldn't swim. "I never know what he's going to do. I'm surprised he didn't take my dough and let me take the rap for him."

"Who's taking the rap for whom?" A woman slid into a seat beside Delaney.

Delaney leaned toward her and murmured, "I thought I asked you to stay in the car, Lou."

She arched one thin eyebrow at him. "Let's not forget with Shamus gone, you work for me now, Brody Delaney."

I stared - I couldn't help myself. No wonder Delaney's carrying a torch for her. She's quite a looker - and a bearcat, too.

Lou turned her steady gaze on me. "Here's the sitch, Mr. Buchanan. Shamus took the big sleep, and I know the authorities will be lookin to pin it on me. Well I won't be left holding the bag on this one. I need solid leads to find his killer."

"He doesn't know anything, doll. This was just a trip for biscuits," Delaney finished disgustedly.

Lou ignored him. "Your brother may be the key, Mr. Buchanan. I understand about family loyalty but..." she reached out and took my hand, when she pulled back there was a enough cheddar there I'd eat well for weeks.

"I hope you'll consider getting in touch should your brother turn up. It may mean my life, Mr. Buchanan."

"We're leaving," Delaney announced abruptly, taking Lou's arm and she allowed him to lead her away. Delaney looked back at me as he and Lou headed out the door. Bruce had given me that look enough times that I knew exactly what it meant. Watch yourself. I mouthed the word "cake-eater" at him, smirked, and popped the rest of my muffin into my mouth.