“It’s your own fault,” Anya chastised herself. “You thought someone could actually like you for you.” She huffed as Derek head-butted her. “Yeah, you’re the only one, bud. And sometimes I think you only like me because I feed you.”
“Meow.”
Anya began pouring herself another cup of tea when her doorbell rang. “If she’s back, I need you to do your best impression of a panther.” She pulled out her phone, opened her security app, and frowned. Jaime was back. But she wasn’t alone. Humiliated and now… betrayed. Jaime had brought Max with her. Anya pressed the speaker function.
“Yes?”
She watched as Jaime looked up at the camera. Regret was written all over her face.Fantastic.If Anya had doubts about how Jaime felt, the regret surely cured that.
“Ms. Grant,” Max answered. “It’s Detectives Fraser and Baros. We need to speak with you about the case.”
He doesn’t know that his partner fucked me last night.And fucked me over this morning.Anya could be petty and bring it up in front of Detective Fraser, but that wasn’t who she was.
“I’ve told you everything I know, Detectives.”
Max held up an evidence bag containing four of Lady A’s business cards. “No, I don’t think you have, Ms. Grant.”
Anya’s brows furrowed even deeper. Did Maisie have Lady A’s cards on her? Anya couldn’t imagine why that would matter when they knew Maisie was her assistant. So, what did they have to do with the case?Only one way to find out. Even if you don’t want to see Jaime’s face again.
“Liar,”Anya whispered. “One moment,” she said through the intercom.
Thankfully, Anya was dressed this time. She padded to the front door, disengaged the locks, and opened it for the detectives. She refused to look at Jaime, instead opting to address Max only.
“What do my business cards have to do with anything, Detective Fraser?”
“May we come in?” Max asked in lieu of an answer.
Anya did glance at Jaime this time, immediately noticing the fear in her eyes. Was she afraid Anya would out her? It was tempting. Instead, she stepped back and allowed them in.
Jaime tried to keep her focus on anything but Anya. The woman was a fucking Goddess. Why did she have to wear short shorts and an oversized, lightweight sweater that fell off one shoulder? One tan, smooth, silky shoulder. She knew exactly how soft that skin was. And exactly how it tasted.Fuck. Focus, Baros!
Somehow, Jaime managed to follow Anya and Max into the kitchen without tripping over her own feet. Or over Derek. Where was he, anyway?
Max laid the bag down on Anya’s counter. “Ma’am, are you willing to answer a few questions?”
“As long as you don’t call me ma’am again, yes. I have nothing to hide, Detective.” Anya’s eyes darted to Jaime. “Well, maybe one or two things to hide, but not about Maisie’s case.”
“This isn’t just about Maisie, Ms. Grant.” Max pulled photos from his pocket, spreading them on the counter beside the evidence bag.
Jaime quietly observed Anya’s reaction to the photos. She saw the recognitionandthe confusion. What Jaime didn’t see was a ruthless killer.She played you before, Baros.
“Do you know these women, Ms. Grant?” Max asked.
“Yes. Though I’m sure you already know that since you’re here. Why?”
“What is your relationship with them?”
Anya felt sick. They weren’t photos from a forensic photographer. They were smiling, happy images. But Anya felt in her heart that these women were no longer smiling.
“T-they were my clients.”
“Were?” Max repeated. “Not anymore?”
Anya cocked her head. “I haven’t seen them for some time, no. What is going on, Detective?”
“Each of these women met the same fate as Maisie, Ms. Grant. And the only tie they have to each other is you.”
Having it confirmed only made Anya’s stomach hurt more. They were dead. Those beautiful, vibrant women were all gone now. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Anya had them all in her chambers, could it?
