Page 5 of Deadly Designs

Aja Blue didn’t like leaving Jay, but he acted likehe needed to be alone. She didn’t want to smother him. Giving himtime to himself seemed the best plan.

Aja Blue retraced her steps into the mansion. Shelooked for George but didn’t see him, so she wandered into thesublime great room with a soaring ceiling that looked like oneMichelangelo would’ve loved to personalize. She took pictures ofthe artwork, furniture, fabric choices, and curtains. Mrs. Sinclairhad champagne taste, and why wouldn’t she? They could mostdefinitely afford it.

She meandered from room to room, snapping away. Notone item or speck of dust was out of place. As incredible as thefurnishings were, the house felt more like a museum than a familyhome. It seemed like a cold place to live. She couldn’t imaginechildren running around with dirty feet and sticky hands or peoplegathering in front of the television, drinking beer and cheeringfor the home team. A rambunctious dog would be a no-no when itmight crash into one of the antique tables and knock off a genuineDegas.

Voices snapped her out of her trance, and sherealized she’d entered Mr. Sinclair’s private office suite. AjaBlue was glad she’d found it since she wanted to get an idea of histaste, too, but she didn’t want to intrude. She silently ducked outof sight of the men gathered in the room.

A glance told her that his decorating style was oldEnglish hunting club meets Havana cigar bar. Lots of wood, leather,and brass. She would bet that Mr. Sinclair had a say in this room,whereas Mrs. Sinclair’s influence had decorated the rest of themansion.

Aja Blue had to admit she was a little unnerved bybeing around Mr. Sinclair’s personal space. He was on thebillionaire list and was usually off building rockets to takewealthy civilians to the moon or constructing skyscrapers bearinghis name. He was among the top of the upper echelon of Americansociety but wasn’t known for his humanitarian efforts.

As she slunk away from his office, she bumped intoJay and jumped as if she’d been caught doing something naughty. Shetried for a casual tone. “Hey, did you get everything we need?”

“I did.” He glanced around. “This place is like amausoleum or something.” He shivered. “It’s so cold andimpersonal.”

Though it was the same sentiment she’d had, shechastised him for voicing it. “We don’t want the Sinclairs to hearyou.”

“I’m sure Heath is off blowing his gargantuan fortuneon frivolous pursuits.”

“Shh,” she admonished. “Mr. Sinclair is herenow.”

“What?No way!”

Aja Blue tugged him down the hallway and into thelibrary. “Do you understand the meaning of ‘shh’?” She scrolled tothe picture on her phone and showed him.

Jay snatched it from her and gawked at the screen.“My God, that is Heathcliff Sinclair in the flesh.” Jay danced fromfoot to foot. “He’s a living legend.” He texted the photo to hisphone before handing hers back. “I have to see him in person.”

Aja Blue grabbed his arm to stop him when he startedout the door. “No, Jay. We don’t want to disturb his meeting. He’snot listed as the client on our contract. Do I need to remind youthat this is a high-profile job?”

“No.” He sighed. Then he hitched a thumb over hisshoulder. “I need to hit the boy’s room, and I passed one backthere. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

Aja Blue watched him saunter away. Jay was alwaysoverly sarcastic, but she detected a note of sadness in him.Whoever was sending him nasty messages was getting to him, whetheror not he wanted to admit it. That concerned her.

Jay would hate it, but she might hire bodyguards toprotect him. She’d been subjected to them for most of herchildhood, and while she resented them, they had kept her safe.Whoever was harassing Jay might think twice if they saw him with asecurity detail.

This time when Aja Blue entered the kitchen, Georgewas there. He was arranging an enormous bouquet of fragrant flowersin a crystal vase.

“Ms. LaLonde, are you finished?” he asked as hetucked a bright pink Stargazer lily into the mix.

“We are. My associate will be here in a moment. He’susing the restroom. I hope that’s okay?”

“Perfectly fine. Can I get you something to drinkuntil he returns?”

Outside of dining at a restaurant, she wasn’t used topeople waiting on her. “No, thank you.”

She watched as George arranged the blooms perfectlyand carried the vase into the adjoining dining room. When hereturned, he cleaned up the remaining stems and leaves, brushingthem into the trash. Jay pranced inside, opened his mouth to saysomething, noticed George, and snapped it closed.

“I’ll see you out now,” George announced. Theyfollowed him through the maze of hallways to the main door. “Mrs.Sinclair mentioned you enjoyed the strawberry scones.” He handedher a box that looked as if it had come from a trendy bakery,complete with a kicky gold ribbon. “I had Chef Pierre prepare somefor you to take home.”

Touched, Aja Blue accepted the gift. Alfred hadredeemed himself. “Thank you. That was very thoughtful. These won’tlast long.”

As Aja Blue stepped outside, the bright sun had herreaching for her sunglasses. They descended the steps and slid intoher car.

Jay barely waited until her door was closed before heblurted, “I saw him!”

Aja Blue turned to him. “Mr. Sinclair?”

He nodded like a bobblehead doll.

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