Page 51 of Deadly Designs

“What?”

“Christian?” Aja Blue prompted, but he needed moreinformation before answering her.

“What happened?”

“Explosive device. The inside is destroyed, and theshops on either side were heavily damaged.”

Christian tossed off the covers and reached for hispants. Sensing something was wrong, Aja Blue hurriedly dressed.

“There’s more.”

Of course there was.

“We found a body inside.”

Chapter Fourteen

Aja Blue could tell somethingterrible had happened. When Christian got out of bed to dress, shedid the same. Waiting for him to end the call was torture. Finally,he disconnected, and the look on his face had her dropping on thebed. “What is it? Tell me.”

He crouched down and took her hand. “There is no easyway to break this news, but someone firebombed your shop, honey.It’s a complete loss.”

Her office was destroyed?

Aja Blue stared at Christian, hearing the words, buttheir meaning wasn’t penetrating.

“Aja Blue?”

She blinked. “What?”

“Are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“Babe, there’s more.”

She closed her eyes and opened them again, drawingstrength from him. “What is it?”

“They found a body inside.”

Aja Blue surged to her feet. “What?Who wasit?” A hand covered her mouth. “Oh, God, was it Jay?”

Christian stood and pulled her into his arms. Herrising panic stalled. It was her safe place.

“They don’t know yet. The police are trying to ID theperson now. They were, uh, burned beyond recognition.”

Aja Blue wanted to be sick, but she didn’t have time.Reluctantly, she pulled from his grip and grabbed her phone to callSara Lea, not caring that she was probably sound asleep. “I need tomake sure none of my employees were there.”

“Hello?”

“Sara Lea, it’s Aja Blue. I’m sorry to wake you, butI wanted to let you know that the office was destroyedtonight.”

Sara Lea was instantly awake. “Oh, my God. Oh, myGod.”

She kept babbling, so Aja Blue cut in. “Sara Lea, Ineed you to focus. Do you know if Marla or Darwin worked late?”

“I sent everyone home when you told me to yesterdayand warned them not to return until you let us know.”

“Call Marla right now and see if she’s okay. I’llcall Darwin.”

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