Page 28 of In the Line of Ire

"Metoo," I said. "I see you’ve included all the big American designersand several European ones. And all for this season, which isgreat."

"Youhave a good eye," said Magda, only then remembering I wasthere.

"I lovefashion."

"Wonderful. You'll have chance to look over everything.Follow me." Magda spun on her stiletto heels and swayed over to thecash register. She leaned behind it and extracted a feather duster,which she handed to me. "The shelves need a light dusting. Sinceit’s quiet, this is the perfect time. Start over there and workyour way around."

I lookedat the duster and then at Maddox. Was Madga serious? Dusting? Whatcould I find out while dusting?

"Off yougo," said Maddox, biting back a smile. "Make sure you get into allthe tight corners."

I shothim a dirty look as I stalked off to the area Magda indicated."You're not going to believe this," I muttered into my wire."They're making me clean the shelves with a feather duster!" In mypocket, my cellphone remained silent. Obviously, Solomon wasspeechless at hearing that.

Istarted in the corner, sulking slightly, and I batted the dusteracross the shelves, picking up purses and replacing them asnecessary. As I slowly made my way around, I inspected the pursesmore closely. Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tory Burch,and Philip Lim. Black, blue, tan, pink, green and red. Buckets,totes, shoppers, backpacks, and crossbodies. Coin purses, wallets,and key fobs. Leather, satin and more. I took everything in,checking the bags closely as I lifted them to dust. I couldn't be ahundred percent but I was almost certain every single bag Iexamined was authentic. Wherever the counterfeit bags came from,they weren't being displayed on the shop floor.

Every so often, I glanced towards Maddox—leaning against the cash registerwith his arms folded and his eyes fixed on Magda—while Magdacoquettishly posed on one heel with her other leg actually kickingthe back of her knee. It looked like any minute they might lean into kiss.

"She'shad her eye on Adam ever since they were introduced a few daysago," said an unfamiliar voice at my ear.

I jumpedand whirled around.

"Sorry,"said the redhead in the store uniform. "I'm Joan. That's Curtisover there," she added while pointing at a slim, black man wearinga black shirt and pants. He gave us a wave and pulled a face atMagda. I giggled and waved back. "Magda used to make me dust too.It's a rite of passage. Sorry you got stuck with it."

"No needto apologize," I said.

"Sorry,"said Joan. "I mean, sorry for saying... My sister says I have tostop apologizing all the time but I can’t help it." She trailed offand winced, then glanced at Maddox and Magda again. "Do you thinkhe likes her?"

"I haveno idea."

"Shedefinitely likes him! She always gives us the crap jobs when he'saround so she's free to talk to him. It's so friggin’obvious."

"That's..." I struggled for something to say.Smart? Crappy?I wasn'tsure.

"I hopehe asks her out. Maybe it’ll make her nicer."

"Sheisn't very nice?" I asked. First impressions suggested she ratherenjoyed her supervisory powers.

Joanshrugged. "She's okay. Just a bit strict. Whatever you do, don't belate. She does not allow that. She complains directly to Oliver andonce she even threatened to dock my pay."

"Seriously? Oliver said we only had to call and tell them ifthere was a problem being late."

Joannodded. "On the plus side, Oliver hates chewing us out so he justmumbles something about doing better and lets us go."

"Haveyou worked here a long time?"

"Threemonths. I have a degree in fashion design specializing inaccessories. Hats, scarves and gloves mostly, but bags and walletstoo. I can't get a job that doesn't require a six-month internshipwithout any pay first. So I'm stuck here until I can find somethingbetter. What about you?"

"Oh, um,I just needed a temp job and this came up."

"Cool." Joan nodded, apparently thinking anything but. "Oh,shoot,Hagdaislooking at us. Nod or something while I point and she'll think I'mimparting some crucial information." She shook her finger at one ofthe purses and I nodded quickly. A moment later, Magda looked awaybut Maddox didn't. I didn’t fail to notice the small smile on hislips as he caught my eye. I couldn't risk sticking my tongue out athim so I rolled my eyes instead.

"I'lllet you get back to it then," said Joan when two women strolled inand made a beeline for the Tory Burch collection. "I better go now.It was nice meeting you, Lexi."

I smiledat the redhead, pleased that she was so friendly. At least she'd bepleasant to work with, unlike Magda who definitely wasn't quite aswarm as Maddox claimed, but then again, she was definitely hottowards him! After endowing them with another curious look, Iturned away and dusted the shelves until Magda marched over andhissed at me, "Stop that when customers are in the store!" Then sheinstructed me to follow her to the cash register so she could showme how to use it. By the time we got there, Maddox was alreadygone.

Chapter Seven

Sixhours later, I hopped into the surveillance van. "Well, that was aday full of fun, excitement, and adventure," I said sarcasticallywhile easing off my heels.

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