Page 35 of Deadly Designs

“I got him in that condition. I responded to a call,and Officer Cranny was getting ready to bring him in. I told him tostay at the scene.”

“Lange, uncuff him now.”

“But captain, we’ve got him for murder and resistingarrest.”

“You’ve got the wrong guy, officer. Mr. Zamora, youhave friends in high places. I didn’t expect to speak with theattorney general today.”

It paid to have an in with the President of theUnited States.

“I apologize on behalf of the department for theinconvenience you were caused.”

“It was more than an inconvenience. It was brutality.Your other guy double-tased me without provocation. Neither read memy rights nor checked for weapons, and I’m carrying.”

Officer Lange’s face turned fire-engine red. “Ithought Cranny took care of that.”

Captain Parsa looked duly pissed. “That wouldn’t havemeant much if he had pulled his pistol and shot you in theback.”

Lange swallowed heavily.

“Mr. Zamora, I’d like to talk to you in myoffice.”

“With all due respect, captain, I need to get back tothe crime scene. The woman I’m protecting was left alone.”

“We’ve got eyes on her. She’s safe.”

Christian let out his first deep breath since he’dbeen shot with 30,000 volts. Twice. Knowing people with gunssurrounded Aja Blue helped. Granted, he didn’t trust the cops likehe did his coworkers, but seeing authority figures would mostlikely scare off any other attempts.

“Lange, head to your desk and await my call.”

Lange’s head dropped. “Yes, sir.”

The cop resembled a popped balloon as he trudged tothe bullpen where the officers had cubicles.

“Go easy on him,” Christian said, feeling magnanimousnow that he knew Aja Blue was being guarded. “It’s Cranny whocaused the problems.”

“Noted.”

Christian followed Captain Parsa to a glass-walledoffice that was almost compulsively tidy. No stray papers, dust, orcoffee cups littered the desk or matching credenza. Books andtrinkets were arranged neatly on a bookcase. Several awards andaccommodations decorated the back wall, along with photos of thecaptain with people Christian assumed were important in the Norfolkand Virginia Beach area.

Parsa rounded the desk and sat, indicating thatChristian should follow suit.

“Tell me what happened.”

Christian relayed the story, ending with the fakenurse and dead man. He didn’t mention it to the captain, but he’dnoticed cameras in the parking lot. He had no doubt the detectiveswould request copies, but he didn’t have time to wait for red tape.As soon as he left the station, he would call the office and askthem to acquire the feed. So, it wasn’t exactly legal. No biggie.He didn’t need to follow the rules and build an airtight case. Heneeded to keep Aja Blue safe.

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It took forever for Detective Herbert to explain thesituation to the other detective. Aja Blue should be glad that shedidn’t have to stick around and answer questions, but she was eagerto get to the police station to see Christian. She needed to assureherself he was okay. Watching him convulse in pain would give hernightmares for weeks to come.

She wasn’t sure what to do about her and Christian’sSUVs. He had the keys to his, so she couldn’t drive it. Sheretrieved her purse and locked the doors from the inside. Thetrackers were still attached to her Land Rover, so it wouldn’t besafe to use since it could easily be traced.

A thought struck. Whoever was after her had ramped uptheir efforts, big time. Attempted kidnapping kicked it into thefelony arena. It made her fear for her employees. What if theperson returned with a gun instead of spray paint?

Sara Lea, Darwin, and Marla could do their jobsremotely. She pulled out the phone Christian had given her andcalled the office.

“Aja Blue Designs. How may I help you today?”

“Sara Lea, it’s Aja Blue.”

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