Page 76 of Deadly Designs

That was plain evil. Who would do something likethat?

Christian’s phone buzzed. “It’s Captain Parsa. Maybethey caught Pastor Chet.”

He slid out of the booth and exited the restaurant.Aja Blue wanted to go after him and listen to the conversation.Instead, she focused on Kayne and Presley. They told her abouttheir coworker’s son’s antics. Christian had relayed stories abouthim, too.

“I’m telling you, he’ll be president one day,” Kayneinsisted. “Kai Costa. Remember the name.”

Presley raised her water glass. “I agree. The kid isfearless and a bonafide hero.”

Aja Blue would love to meet him. He’d saved hisstepsister from harm and another girl in a separate incident. Hewas undoubtedly Superman material.

Christian returned and slid into the booth. “Forensicpersonnel processed Jay’s car. It had been swept out, so there werefew foreign particles, and every surface was wiped down, even theseat adjuster.”

“That’s often overlooked,” Presley noted. “The personwas a pro.”

“Or watched a ton of crime scene shows,” Aja Blueadded. When they turned to her, she shrugged. “I’ve seen enough ofthem to know about that too.”

“Yeah, that’s possible,” Christian agreed.“Unfortunately, it doesn’t give us any clues about who his killerwas.”

“Pastor Chet,” Presley argued. “Why else would heghost?”

Christian nodded. “Good question. Hopefully, the copswill catch him soon, and we’ll have an answer.”

They finished dinner and returned to the house. AjaBlue reached for Christian’s hand and guided him to her room. Heslowly undressed her, worshiping her body thoroughly. Then he madelove to her until she lost her mind.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Christian was happy for Aja Blue.He was. The scholarship in Jay’s name would benefit youth for yearsto come and solidify his memory. It was an incredible honor.However, that meant he had to dress in a tuxedo and attend an eventweaponless while a potential killer was on the loose. He didn’tlike it one bit.

Still, he kept his thoughts to himself. After Mrs.Sinclair’s call, Aja Blue had a purpose to look forward to insteadof the devastation she’d dealt with the last few days. He lived forher smile, regardless of who put it there. If it was him, great. Ifsomeone else caused those pretty pink lips to curve, good onthem.

Right now, he was standing in a shop BeBe had found,getting fitted for a penguin suit he’d wear later tonight. He was ajeans and T-shirt guy, not a fan of black-tie. For Aja Blue, he’dwear chain mail if necessary.

“Oh, my.”

He turned at the voice to see Aja Blue gazing at himwith, if he wasn’t mistaken, unabashed lust.

“You were made for that suit,” she proclaimed.

He scoffed. “I look like a butler.”

“You so do not.” She shook her head as her eyes drankhim in. “Every woman there will be jealous of me.”

He waved off her praise, but it secretly warmed him.He liked that she found him attractive since he thought she was themost beautiful person who’d ever walked the earth. “Did you findsomething to wear?”

“I did, but you can’t see it until later.”

“Not fair,” he protested.

Presley walked up and ran her eyes over him. “Gottasay, Zamora, it’s weird to see you in a thousand-dollar suit andnot paintball-stained shirts, courtesy of, uh, me.”

“Seriously, Parrish? I tagged you last game, not theother way around.”

She waved a hand. “I was distracted.”

“Try again. I was the one abandoned by my partner.And who still won?”

“Hum?” She scratched her head. “I don’t remember.Must not have been important.”

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