Page 74 of Deadly Designs

“You accepted?”

She nodded, trying to swallow around the lump thatwouldn’t leave her throat. “She’s establishing a scholarship inJay’s name.”

Christian squeezed her hand. “That’s quite an honor.I imagine she raises millions.”

Aja Blue nodded as tears leaked out. “He won’t beforgotten.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mrs. Sinclair’s phone call hadlifted Aja Blue’s spirits, for which Christian was extremelygrateful. He hated for her to be sad. She tried to hide her pain,but he was so attuned to her that he noticed every mood swing.Knowing that her assistant would be remembered with a scholarshipin his name had brightened her outlook tremendously. Nothing wouldbring him back, but she could honor his memory and keep italive.

Kayne drove to the hospital so they could check onDetective Herbert. Christian wondered if she was still there. Afterher stunt yesterday, he wouldn’t have put it past her to flee inthe middle of the night. He might’ve done the same thing.

Surprisingly, she was in her room but dressed andtapping her fingers on the mattress. Her booted foot was stillpropped up on pillows. Her head jerked up when they entered.

“Hey.”

“How are you feeling?” Presley asked.

“Good as new. Ready to get out of here.”

“What’s the holdup?” Kayne wanted to know.

“My ride. Captain Parsa sent someone, but there wasan accident, and they stopped to take care of it.”

“Were you released?” Christian asked.

“Yes.” She waved a stack of papers. “Got thesignatures and everything.”

Christian was skeptical but offered, “We can driveyou home.”

She swung around and grabbed the crutches. “Yes,please.”

Aja Blue and Presley helped her stand. DetectiveHerbert tried not to wince, but Christian saw it.

“Are you sure you should leave?”

“Yes. I’ll rest better at home.”

Kayne picked up a bag of her personal items, and theyexited the room. They adjusted their pace so that the detectivecould keep up. It was slow going as she learned how to navigatewith her crutches, which frustrated her, judging by the grunts andcurses. Once they were at the SUV, Christian watched as she triedto figure out how to get inside. He walked over and lifted her,placing her in the passenger seat. She clenched her jaw but thankedhim. He handed her the crutches and waited until she was buckled inbefore closing the door.

Once they were settled inside, she said, “Tell mewhat’s going on with the case. Captain Parsa has been frustratinglytight-lipped.”

She’d eventually find out, so they talked abouteverything that had happened, including the two bodyguards flippingon Pastor Chet and the accident being tied to him.

“Did they arrest him? And believe me, it pains me toask since it’s my department.”

“He’s in the wind,” Christian told her.

“Oh, my God, are you kidding me? I wouldn’t have lethim out of my sight.”

“He had a good lawyer,” Christian said, though heagreed with the detective. He wouldn’t have let a potential murdersuspect out of his sight, either.

Kayne followed her directions, and they pulled into anicely landscaped apartment complex. It was inland, away from thebeach, so the rent had to be lower, but the parking lot was clean,and the buildings looked new.

Detective Herbert slid out of the SUV beforeChristian could help her. “I’ll escort her to her apartment,” hetold the others.

She’d taken off, crutching her way down the sidewalk.He jogged after her, glad when she stopped at a first-floor unit.Once she opened the door, he handed her the bag from the hospital.“You have my number if you need anything.”

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