Page 94 of Raging Inferno

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Kayne rolled to a stop and let Presley, Dominic, and Gia out at the steps leading to the mansion. “Meet you inside.”

At the knock on his window, he rolled it down to see a teenager smiling at him.

“I’ll park your car, sir.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll do it myself.”

“We’re not supposed to let you. If you step out, I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, but no. Just point me in the right direction.”

The teen frowned, noticed Kayne’s determined expression, and sighed. “Okay.” He reluctantly told him where to go.

Kayne thanked him and motored away. He spotted the large lot with cars parked in rows. He backed into a space, turned off the ignition, and jumped out. Golf carts were ferrying valets back to the house, but it was less than a quarter mile. He decided to walk. He lurched back as a white van came screaming down the road, watching as it skidded into the spot next to him. The words “St. Louis County Medical Examiner” were stenciled in black on the side. A woman in an emerald-green dress slid out and hurried over to him.

“You must be the man who refused the valet service.”

“I am.”

She patted his shoulder. “Good for you. I came from work and wasn’t about to let a pimply-faced high school kid who’s only had his license for a few months drive my van. I think I offended him. Then he said the man in front of me said the same thing.”

Kayne chuckled. “I did.”

She extended her hand. “Val Anders. I’m the county ME.”

“Kayne Serruto. How long have you been the medical examiner?”

“Only a few months,” she admitted as she brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I got thrown into the fire, literally. I’ve never seen so many smoke inhalation deaths in such a short period of time.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I can’t seem to leave the job behind.”

Kayne laughed. “I hear you. I’m the same way.”

“Are you from around here?”

“Nope. Just visiting a friend.” His presence in town was on a need-to-know basis. She didn’t.

They arrived at the house and climbed the stairs. A man in a black tux opened the door and held it for them. Decadent scents filled the air, and haunting chords from a string orchestra mixed with the din of chatter.

Kayne turned to the ME. “It was nice to meet you, Val.”

“You too, Kayne. I hope to see you later.”

He didn’t miss the gleam in her eyes. With a nod, he turned and entered the foyer.

“My, my, who do we have here? Are you crashing my party? If so, I wholeheartedly approve.”

He glanced over to see a woman in red descending the curving staircase. Her dark hair was piled on her head, with curly wisps framing her neck. Diamonds winked from her ears and around her throat. She looked moneyed. In one hand, she held a flute of champagne. The other she offered to him. “Jessie King.”

Ah, the party organizer. This was her house. “Kayne Serruto.”

Her eyes lit with recognition. “You’re Presley’s friend.”

“I am.”

The woman’s gaze raked his body. “She didn’t tell me how gorgeous you were, Kayne Serruto.”

“Uh, thanks?”

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