Page 71 of Deadly Designs

“What’s up?” Kayne asked when they were in theelevator to the lobby.

“Captain Parsa wants to see us.”

“Did they arrest Jay’s killer?” Aja Blue wanted toknow.

“He didn’t say.”

Christian glanced at Presley. “How do you feel?”

“Great.”

“I saw you wince when you got out of the chair.”

“I’ll admit I’m a little sore, but I’m fine.”

“Getting sideswiped by a moving vehicle will do thatto a person,” Kayne pointed out.

Presley ignored him. “Otherwise, I’m ready to work.The doctor agreed.”

“Do you want us to drop you off at the house so youcan rest?” Aja Blue asked.

“Absolutely not.”

Christian let it go. He trusted Presley to know herown body, and Christian could use all the help he could get tocatch Jay’s killer and the person targeting Aja Blue.

When they reached the SUV, Christian let Presley situp front with Kayne while he took the back with Aja Blue. He neededto keep an eye on her to make sure she was okay. She’d been inshock earlier finding out her assistant was dead.

Early afternoon traffic was thick as they made theirway to the station. Kayne found a space, and they filed inside. Awoman in a police uniform sat at an entrance desk.

“Can I help you?”

“We’re here to see Captain Parsa. He’s expecting me.”He gave the woman his name.

She spoke into a phone and then said, “He’ll be outin a moment.”

They took seats in the waiting area. Christian stoodwhen the captain came striding out.

He held out a hand. “Zamora.”

Christian shook it. “I’m here with my coworkers.”

“Leave them here. Follow me.”

Christian gave Kayne and Presley a shrug and trailedafter the captain as he wound his way through the busy station.When they entered his office, he closed the door and indicated forChristian to take a seat in front of the desk. Once seated, hesaid, “We broke one of Pastor Chet Harris’s bodyguards, RickeyDaniels.”

“That’s great news.”

The captain nodded. “He was looking at murdercharges, so he sang like a canary. He implicated the pastor in thedestruction of Ms. LaLonde’s office, along with the death of ByronZikes. Zikes was a follower who had admitted to vandalizing Ms.LaLonde’s office. He’d become radicalized by Pastor Chet’steachings. Once he was identified as the vandal, they feared hewould talk, so they eliminated him.”

“Brutal to do to one of their own.”

“Yeah. According to Daniels, Pastor Chet gave theorders, but Daniels and Rufus Ingram, the other bodyguard, carriedout the plot. Once Ingram knew he was fingered, he also caved. Wetied them to the attempt on Detective Herbert and Presley Parrish.Pastor Chet’s lawyer paid J.T. Diggs, the man who crashed intothem. Diggs admitted to it.”

“Did they admit to breaking into Aja Blue and JayGuitterez’s homes and destroying everything?”

“Each man was grilled separately. They said theydidn’t. According to them, they only broke into Ms. LaLonde’s shopto deposit Byron Zikes’s dead body.”

“What about Jay Guitterez’s death?”

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