Page 189 of Triggered By Love
She knew he’d still have to unpack, and she couldn’t wait a second longer. “I have a few in my purse.”
It wouldn’t be the end of the world to have Jason’s child, but she saw his point. There was still too much uncertainty awaiting them in New York.
Harvey Leach’s trial would be a media circus. Blade would squeal like a stuck pig, and Jason’s boss, Chief Grimes, would be taken down along with the corrupt Mayor DeBrassos. Larry Leach would need to pay for what he’d done to the male models, and of course, if Richie Overton was involved, he’d have to be brought to justice.
Naked and dripping, Avery grabbed her purse and dumped the contents. Mints. Receipts. Pens. And a condom packet.
“Got it!” Avery rolled onto the bed, but her glee was short-lived. “Who tore it open? Ewww!”
Jason dried his bandaged arm and pounced on her. “Maybe it’s the one I didn’t get to use. I didn’t know you’re like that hoarder I investigated, rolling it back up.”
“It looks new.” She removed the condom and squinted at the tiny chip in the center. “What’s this?”
“Holy shit!” Jason said, flicking the chip over and exposing the golden pins. “It’s a microSD card. Did you know it was in here?”
“No. Do you think this is Saul’s camera card?”
“Only one way to find out.” Jason was halfway to her laptop. “You have a card adapter?”
She fumbled in her laptop bag and produce one which fitted the microSD card into the slot.
Making love was completely off the table for the next hour, maybe two.
Saul’s card was a treasure trove. He’d apparently gotten in with a pass from Joselito. He, Ernesto, and Joselito posed together before the show, and when Jason enlarged an image, the orange tip of a toy gun poked from Ernesto’s hand.
“I feel like shit,” Jason said. “I can’t believe I killed a man with a toy gun.”
“You didn’t know. You had to make a split-second decision while taking fire, and you saw him waving that gun around.”
“There’s no excuse. If I shot the wrong guy, I should turn myself in.” Jason stumbled to his suitcase and put on clothes.
“Where are you going?” Avery’s heartrate raced. “Let’s look through the rest of the pictures. There might be more clues.”
“I can’t look.” Jason slumped onto the bed and cupped his hands over his eyes. “If I killed the wrong man… I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.”
“Just don’t go anywhere or call anyone.” Avery pulled on a robe and tied it tight. “Stay put.”
She went back to the image library, flipping through the gallery. There were pre-show pictures of Ivanna. She was posing with various accessories and wearing cat-eyed glasses studded with rhinestones, the same ones Avery had seen being sold online. Trent and Jayla appeared in a few shots, as well as models both before getting dressed and later, walking down the runway. Saul had a great eye for candid shots, and he could sell some of these photos for a pretty penny.
“I wonder if Saul never showed anyone these photos because of what happened next,” she said.
“I hope he didn’t take pictures of the shooting.” Jason moaned. He remained huddled on the side of the bed with his head down.
“I think he hid this card because he was afraid of what it might show.” Avery fortified herself for what would come next.
Tears streamed down her face at Brando’s brave and strong form as he held out his arm for her. She sniffed and wiped her eyes, and then Jason was at her side with his arms around her.
No matter how much it would hurt, he wasn’t letting her face the memories alone.
She leaned against him and tapped the arrow key to move forward. There she was, standing with Brando at the top of the runway.
“The thing about Saul’s pictures,” Avery commented. “Is that they weren’t taken from the photographer’s pit. He got an entirely different viewpoint.”
“Wait.” Jason barked. “Go back.”
She backed up.
He pointed to a man in the audience. “That’s Chief Grimes. I don’t remember seeing him at the show.”
