Page 24 of Deadly Designs

He stepped into a space that was likely to be Jay’sbedroom. In the middle of the floor was a pile of colorful garmentsripped to shreds. Sequins and glitter were everywhere, some fromthe destruction and some from the room décor. With the tip of hisgun, he moved aside a hot-pink feather boa draped over a lightedmirror. Several pictures were tucked beneath the frame, including agroup shot with Aja Blue smiling at the camera. She was sogorgeous.

His phone buzzed, and he took it from his pocket.Speak of the devil . . . who clearly had no patience. He punchedthe talk button. “Yes?”

“Did you find him?”

“No.”

“Damn it all to hell and back.”

Christian knew she was upset because she’d cursedinstead of using her made-up word salads. He didn’t want to worryher further, but it didn’t look good for her friend. “I’ll be outin a minute.”

There was no foul smell of, say, body decomposition,so he doubted Jay was inside. He made quick work of the rest of thesmall apartment. A police car pulled up as he stepped outside.

The unhelpful woman from the downstairs apartmentapproached the cop when she exited her vehicle. They were too faraway to hear what the woman said, but judging by the animatedgesturing—most aimed in their direction—it wasn’t good.

“What is that old bat doing?” Aja Blue muttered.

“Up here,” Christian called out.

The officer glanced up and nodded. She moved aroundthe other woman, but she kept following, her gums flapping.

“I am going to slug her. You know that, right?”

“She’s ninety if she’s a day,” Christian chided.“That would be elder abuse.”

“So? She’s a bigoted, narrow-minded old hag. MaybeI’ll knock some sense into her, make her more accepting.”

He doubted that would be possible. The woman was tooset in her ways.

The cop stopped in front of them. “You callednine-one-one?”

“We did,” Christian confirmed.

“Go away,” Aja Blue snapped to the woman fromdownstairs, who had followed the officer.

She stuck her nose in the air. “I have every right tobe here. It’s a free country.”

“Ma’am, please exit the premises and return to yourapartment.”

She looked as if she wanted to argue but started downthe stairs with a huff. Christian watched to ensure she navigatedthem safely and almost regretted it when she yelled over hershoulder, “Remember what I told you, officer.”

No doubt it was about Jay and his cross-dressingways.

The cop gave a half-hearted wave to appease the womanand turned to them. She took out a notebook and pen. “I’m OfficerLamb. What’s going on?”

“We have a crime scene and a possible missing person.Jay Guitterez.”

The cop pointed to Jay’s apartment. “Theoccupant?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your relationship with Mr. Guitterez?”

“He works for me,” Aja Blue told her. “I’m hisboss.”

“And you?”

Christian stuck with the story they planned to tellher office staff. “Ms. LaLonde and I are old friends, so I’m herewith her. Full disclosure, I work for a security company.” He tookout a business card and handed it to the cop.

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