Page 52 of Deadly Designs

“I can tell something else is wrong, so I’m onit.”

Aja Blue disconnected and dialed her computer wizard.His phone rang three times and kicked to voicemail. Instead ofleaving a message, she redialed. “Answer your phone, damn it.” Sameresult. Her chest heaved, picturing sweet, nerdy Darwin caught inan unexpected fire. She couldn’t breathe.

Her phone buzzed, and she inhaled before answeringSara Lea.

“Marla is home in bed. Did you get in touch withDarwin?”

“He’s not answering. Is he seeing anyone that youknow of?”

“If he is, he hasn’t told me. Aja Blue, why is itimportant?”

“They found a body in the rubble.”

“Oh, God, do you think it was Darwin?” She gasped.“Jay?”

“I don’t know.”

“What should we do?”

Not panicking was job number one, but Aja Bluecouldn’t manage it, so she couldn’t ask it of her employee. “I’mgoing there now. I’ll keep you posted.”

Christian was ready to go, so she hurried to put onshoes. Kayne and Presley were waiting for them when they joggeddown the steps.

“How did they know what happened?” Aja Blue askedChristian.

“I texted them.”

Outdoor lights lit the area as they made their way tothe SUV. Aja Blue climbed in the back and buckled her belt. WhenChristian reached over and clasped her hand, she held it like alifeline.

Much like the last time they’d driven to herworkplace, emergency vehicles filled the street in front of herbuilding—or what used to be her office. Kayne had to park a blockaway to avoid the rescue equipment. A few people stood around, butthe street was mostly deserted except for firefighters in turnoutgear and at least two dozen cops.

Aja Blue’s nose twitched from the acrid scent ofsmoke, and the swirling red and blue emergency lights stung hereyes as they made their way to the blackened shell of Aja BlueDesigns. Her stomach clenched when she realized Seth’s dentist’soffice and the yoga studio on either side of her business were alsodestroyed.

Detective Herbert noticed them and came over.Christian introduced her to his coworkers. “Ms. LaLonde, do youknow who would do this?”

“You mean besides Byron Zikes? No.”

“Did you talk to him?” Christian asked.

“I did better than that. I arrested him forvandalism. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. Spray paint andkicking over planters are more his speed. I can’t see himconcocting a Molotov cocktail.”

“Is that what was used?” Christian asked.

“Not sure yet. I’ve looked at the video from the samecamera used to identify Zikes. It was a generic white-panel vanwith no signage or license plate. They used some kind of grenadelauncher to shoot the device into the building, igniting itinstantly.”

“Wait, if Zikes is in jail, he couldn’t have donethis,” Presley pointed out.

Detective Herbert shook her head. “His mother bailedhim out. He’s free to roam the countryside.”

“What about the body found inside?” Kayne wanted toknow.

“We’re working on dental records now. The medicalexaminer will conduct an autopsy in the morning.”

“Aja Blue!”

She turned to see Sara Lea and Marla . . . andDarwin! She rushed forward and hugged him. “I was worried aboutyou.”

“Yeah, sorry.” He scrubbed a hand through his shaggyhair. “I sleep like the dead . . . er, sorry again.” He winced.“Bad choice of words.”

---