They looked punk, but they sounded softer than that -- loud but mournful, with a kick of Tess's electric fiddle to give potentially-gentle vocals the edge that they needed. The technical skills of a bunch of DCU musical studies majors were first rate, which somehow brought mediocre, first-year compositions up a level to more than palatable, enough to grab the interest of at least the small crowd at college dive bars.

They even, in fact, had a few fans, who lingered around the band after the show started. One or two of them even bought drinks. Not that Tess needed it, of course, but the compliment was always appreciated.

Her hair, a wildly braided teal mess, sometimes stood out in the country club. Here, however, it blended into the crazy styling of the crowd. So did the bright colors and leather, the spiked bracelet, the impossibly high shoes...

Silent Spy