The Frame-Up (The Golden Arrow #1)(86)
As I approach the sprawling Genius booth itself, a Red Cardinal costume literally stops me in my tracks. The Red Cardinal has her own series, but she’s best known as the on-again–off-again love interest of the Hooded Falcon. This costume is beyond gorgeous—layers of red feathers create a striking one-shoulder gown bodice and gradually give way to pinned and tucked layers of bloodred ruched silk cut through with silvery, gauzy fabric. I might be drooling, and I am definitely stopping traffic.
“I love your dress,” I can’t help myself saying.
I’m absolutely mesmerized by the creation she’s wearing, and I’m not the only one. All around her people are taking pictures. She’s essentially holding court.
“Thank you.” She smiles, and I move my fangirling upward from her gorgeous dress to the intricate way her glossy black hair piles around a jeweled circlet, complete with a bejeweled cardinal. Then I see her face. I take a step back, muffling an oath. Of course it would be perfect Lelani, ex-fiancée of the guy I may or may not be falling in love with.
“Oh, MG. Good to see you. What are you up to?” Andy appears behind Lelani, dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt that says “Genius Comics” across the front. I need to get my head back in the game of solving a thirty-year-old murder case.
“I was just telling Lelani how wonderful her costume is.” I brush my hands on my dark skinny jeans and face Andy. “I didn’t know you were working the booth this year. I thought it was mostly marketing people.”
“I volunteered.” It’s Andy’s turn to turn red, accentuated by his light-colored surfer curls. “You know, to help our company since now I’m . . .” His face pinkens as he trails off. Now that he’s an executive. “I wanted to be here in case Lelani had questions or can’t answer a fan since I’ve worked at Genius forever.” Andy tries to act like he hasn’t been staring at her ample cleavage, but hell, who wouldn’t stare at Lelani? She’s like a Pacific Island princess in that dress.
“I should get going,” I say to them both.
Lelani waves, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “I’m looking forward to seeing your work in the Her Galaxy show. It’s my favorite event. And you’ll be at the charity auction tomorrow, right?”
Behind us, someone calls for Lelani from the main Genius booth. I can’t see who through the piles of clothes and toys and stands of comic books spilling into the aisleway.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Lelani says before turning and walking back to the booth in a cloud of red silk and feathers.
“Wow,” I say, marveling at the train of the dress, which has hand-stitched feathers attached.
“Yeah,” Andy agrees, his tone dreamy.
I cut him a glance. “I was talking about the dress.”
A pause. “Yeah. Me too.”
I debate about telling Andy that Ryan and Lelani are an item, but I’m not feeling that friendly toward Andy yet. “Come on, let’s go back to the booth. I need information about the auction.” I steer him between Captain Genius T-shirts and a stack of Justice League action figure sets. I need to find out where the auction items are being kept. That is Genius inside information.
I follow Andy into the main part of the booth where there are other costumed Genius characters posing with fans. Captain Genius is particularly popular this year since a movie just released a few months ago. The line to take pictures with him stretches into the aisle. Beyond that, a few of our popular characters mingle, including the new Hooded Falcon in his garish multicolored armorlike gear. Lelani returns to her line, fans waiting to take pictures with her.
“Hey, Tej.” I grab a schedule off the back table and scan it until I find the auction set at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. It’s going to be tight to get there from the fashion show in enough time. A light turns on in my head. That’s the perfect excuse. And the truth. “I want to come to the auction tomorrow. I’m hoping to get something for my personal collection. But I have the fashion show.”
Tej nods. He’s the only one of four people working the Genius booth whom I recognize. I feel a pang of nostalgia. Even though I worked hard to get to the point where I can enjoy cons instead of work them, I miss the camaraderie. I do not miss the requisite XXL black T-shirt emblazoned with “Genius Comics” they have to wear.
“I was hoping I could see the stuff that’s getting sold. In case I need to have someone bid for me.”
“Oh yeah, no problem.” Tej pushes his thick-rimmed glasses up his nose.
“Really?”
“Yeah, there’s this really handy catalog . . .” His voice is muffled as he digs under the back table. “Ah. Here it is.” He hands me a three-ring binder with pages of pictures and descriptions in it.
“Oh.” I try to look pleased. “Yay. Perfect. Thanks, Tej.” Inside, my stomach sinks. I really need to inspect the items themselves. I stand at the back table for a stretch thumbing through the binder. First editions, action figures, set pieces from the first TV adaptation—there really are some interesting items being sold, but I’m looking for something specific. The painting with the frame that went clunk. I hand the binder back to Tej.
“So what ballroom is it in? You know, so I can get there after my show?”
Tej points toward a far wall. “I think it’s over there. Andy helped them set up yesterday. He would know. Oh hey, that kid is messing with those toys again. Little bastards.” Tej bolts to the front of the booth, where someone is perilously close to toppling a stack of figurine boxes.