Page 104 of Deadly Designs

He gave them a recap of Aja Blue’s note and his worryabout Polly’s boyfriend.

“You think she’s in trouble?”

“I have no reason to believe she is, but I don’ttrust Dirk Haines.”

Presley accessed an app on her phone to trackChristian’s phone and gave Kayne directions. He squealed out of thelot practically on two wheels. Christian was thankful Kayne was theone driving. He tended to ignore common laws like red lights andspeed limits.

“Here.” Nicole handed him a T-shirt and a pair ofpants.

“Thanks.” He dressed and inserted the comm devicePresley handed him.

“Weapon?”

Presley gave him his gun. “Are you sure you’re okayusing it?”

He gave her a stern look.

She tossed up her hands. “Fine.”

Kayne glanced at him from the rear-view mirror. “Howdid Aja Blue leave the hospital?”

“I don’t know. I was asleep, and she didn’t sayanything in the note.”

“Probably a ride-share,” Nicole guessed.

“The bosses are in town,” Presley said. “They want usto keep them posted.”

“We’ve almost caught up with her,” Presley announced.She enlarged the screen. “It’s a motel.”

“We’re here,” Kayne announced.

Peeling paint, dangling shutters, and a sign withmore burned-out lights than shining ones announced a motel thatlooked as if it rented rooms by the hour. Potholes and refusemarred the parking lot, and the vehicles were rusty and dented.

“Do we have a room number?” Kayne asked.

“No. It couldn’t be pinpointed.”

“We’ll fan out,” Presley said. “Mic check.” They allresponded.

“Nicole, you stay here.” She was an asset, butChristian didn’t need his attention diverted by watching out forher well-being.

She gritted her teeth but nodded.

The sounds of rough sex greeted Christian as heneared a room. A headboard banged against a wall, and the woman’sscreams had to be ear-piercing to her partner.

He was about to move along when two gunshots rangout.

“Aja Blue,” Christian whispered as he raced for thedoor where the sound had originated.

“Wait.” Kayne grabbed his arm, jerking him to a stop.“We don’t go rushing in. That might get her killed.”

“She could be—” He couldn’t say shot. “Hurt.”

“She’s okay,” Presley said through the comms. She waspeeking through a crack in the curtains. “Another woman is down. Aman is holding Aja Blue at gunpoint. Get ready. They’re headed tothe door.”

Christian took up one side and Kayne the other.

“I’ve got the man with the gun,” Kayne said. “You gether out of the way.”

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