Chapter 29

Wishful thinking accompanied me outside Miami International Airport and dissolved in scorching sunlight. Shielding my eyes from the brightness with a hand, I spotted Oscar casually leaning against a shark-sleek black limousine. His eyes crinkled behind miniscule dark shades, much more fashionable than functional, as he smiled and kissed the air around my cheeks. He pulled away to arm's length and twitched his nose in disapproval of my casual outfit. "What a sedate choice compared to New Orleans!"

"I have a change of clothes, Oscar," I assured him, waving my bag under his nose. "You're the only human I know who doesn't get wrinkled when flying."

He smiled and bowed as I got into the limousine. We sped off in the direction of the skyline.

"Do you have any idea why we're here?" he inquired in amusement, flaring a long-fingered pianist's hand at our surroundings.