Page 75 of Deadly Designs

She nodded. “Thank you. I appreciate the ride.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes. Thanks.”

It was evident that she was fiercely independent anddidn’t like relying on anyone else. He’d been that way before hestarted working with COBRA Securities. Now, he counted on hiscoworkers and valued their assistance.

With a wave, he headed back to the others. Presleyhad moved to the front passenger seat, so he slid in beside AjaBlue. She smiled at him, and it took every ounce of his restraintto refrain from leaning over and kissing her senseless.

Their time together was coming to an end, and thatmade him sad. He wasn’t leaving until Pastor Chet was captured, buthe had faith the police would apprehend him quickly. Until then, hewas still a threat to Aja Blue.

They decided to have dinner at a restaurantoverlooking the ocean. Fresh seafood wasn’t something they had thechance to eat often, living in the landlocked Midwest, so theyindulged anytime they could.

Christian could tell Aja Blue was putting on an act,trying to hide her somber mood. He hoped being around others wouldhelp ease the pain from losing Jay for a little while. Kayne andPresley were two of his best friends. Aja Blue fit in with them,and it felt right,

An image flashed in his head of the future. He wasold and gray-haired, sitting on a deck overlooking the lake backhome. Aja Blue was by his side, holding his hand and smiling.

It had been so real that Christian swore it was apremonition.

#

Nicole Herbert glanced at the cast on her foot andcursed. She wasn’t used to being on the sidelines. Her mother usedto joke that she’d come out of the womb at a full gallop likeSecretariat racing for the finish line at the 1973 Belmont Stakes.Inactivity wasn’t in her vocabulary. Growing up, she’d played everysport she could, which included being the only girl on severalmen’s teams. It wasn’t in her nature to be passive.

Nicole couldn’t believe Captain Parsa had kicked heroff the case. It was hers! He’d been one of her staunchestsupporters and the main reason she’d made detective at a young age.But right now, she cursed him and everyone at the station.

Yes, her head pounded like a heavy metal rockerpunishing the drums, and maybe her body felt like it’d been runover by a dump truck. Twice. Still, her brain was firing on allcylinders. And okay, if she was honest with herself, the drugs haddulled her senses a bit, but she could still investigate the hellout of the case. If only Captain Parsa would let her.

Nicole thought about the people she’d met from COBRASecurities. They were competent, intelligent, capable, andthorough. She recognized the traits since she also possessed them.Plus, she truly liked them. Christian and Kayne were strong anddefinite alpha males. She and Presley were a lot alike.

Nicole didn’t have many female friends. Huh, when shethought about it, she didn’t have male friends either. She hadcoworkers, but as far as having someone to say, hey, let’s grab abeer, there was no one. Wow. How had she gotten to that point inher life?

As soon as she graduated college with a criminaljustice degree, Nicole had enrolled in the police academy, knowingthat law enforcement was what she wanted to do with her life.Nicole tried to reassure herself that she only wanted to put awaybad guys, like Olivia Benson onLaw and Order SVU. Hermother had freaked out, worrying that her only daughter was playingwith bullets. Sadly, her mother had passed away before Nicolegraduated from the academy.

As the only daughter of a single mother, the loss hadhit hard. Nicole had busied herself with work to forget aboutanything else, to the point that her job had become her life. She’dburied her feelings with her mother.

Now, as she crutched around her apartment, shewondered what had become of her life. She loved the feeling of herplant-covered space. Her mother had adored flora, transferring herlove to her daughter. It took everything Nicole had to keep thefoliage alive, but it was her favorite hobby, her release.Otherwise, there was nothing personal in the space. She merelyexisted.

Again, her thoughts scrolled back to the COBRASecurities agents. Nicole loved her job but would be lying if shesaid she wasn’t intrigued. Knowing Presley had also been adetective had piqued her interest. Nicole remembered little abouttheir conversation. The car accident had wiped out most of hershort-term memory. But the company’s reputation was stellar. It wasconsidered a badge of honor to work for them. They were reveredaround the country.

Was she seriously considering applying for a job?

#

Despite the devastation of the last week, Aja Bluefelt a sliver of hope, and it had everything to do with the manbeside her and his coworkers. Mrs. Sinclair had something to dowith it too. Her benevolent gesture wouldn’t bring Jay back, but itwould allow his memory to live forever. The gratitude Aja Blue feltwas immense.

She never would have been able to come up withanything like what Mrs. Sinclair had bestowed on Jay. To have ascholarship named after him! What an incredible honor.

She needed to inform Sara Lea, Marla, and Darwinabout it. Then she remembered Charlotta at Crystal Galaxy had askedto be informed about Jay. Aja Blue wanted everyone there to knowthat Jay hadn’t skipped out on them.

A thought struck, and she turned to Christian. “Herarely took personal time.”

“What was that?”

“Jay. He didn’t take vacation days. The message saidhe was taking time off, so he didn’t send it.”

“I’d say you’re right,” Christian agreed. “That’s whythe note was generic.”

“The killer was probably buying time so no one wouldbe looking for him,” Kayne deduced.

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