Page 75 of In the Line of Ire

Ireached for his arms and turned him around while subtly examininghis biceps and pointing him in the direction of the exit. "See youlater," I said as I waved. I watched Solomon walk away, realizingthat Curtis was standing next to me when Solomon vanished out ofsight.

"You'remarried to him?" asked Curtis.

Isighed. "Not you too."

"Not me,what?"

"Yes,he's my husband," I said, the word feeling strange in my mouth.Would I ever get used to saying it?

"He'sone helluva man hunk."

"Iagree."

"And hevisits you at work. So sweet!" Curtis crossed his hands over hisheart and fluttered his eyelashes.

"You'restraight," I told him. “You said so yesterday.”

"I knowbut I'm metrosexual enough to appreciate a beautiful man. Andbeautiful purses."

"Don'tyou think they're crazy expensive for what little they are?" Iasked.

"Yourhusband or the purses?"

"Thepurses."

"No.They're worth every penny."

"Youdon't ever look at them and think a knockoff purse would be just asnice and cost a lot less?"

"I can'tbelieve you would say such awful things to me," said Curtis. Then,before I could suggest anything else or pump him for moreinformation, he flounced away.

Chapter Seventeen

Five ofus were holed up in the back of Solomon's van. Besides Solomon andme, Delgado was there in his security guard uniform as well asMaddox and Sadiq. "Your questions aren't exactly subtle," saidSolomon.

Ishrugged. I didn't see how being subtle would get me anywhere. "Iknow and still no one's saying anything," I replied.

"If it'sone of them, they're probably thinking over what you said," saidSadiq. "No one is going to pull you into the op based on a fewblasé comments about overpriced bags."

Maddoxnodded. "I agree. You've articulated your thoughts on themerchandise and stated that you don't care for them. Next, you needto play up your money worries. Make someone think you're desperateto get some easy money."

"He'sright. You need to look like a good mark," said Solomon. "Where areyou in the investigation, Maddox? Anything new?"

"There'snothing that we don't already know. Since we spoke this morning,Sadiq combed through Page's books and there's nothing that raisesany queries. I've also done background checks on everyone in thestore and Lexi has those already. No red flagsfluttering."

"Wecan't run surveillance on everyone," added Sadiq. "Our team is toosmall to cover all the employees. We need to get something concretebefore we request additional resources."

"So ourbest lead remains Lexi's stakeout tonight," saidSolomon.

"High-five to that," I said, raising my hand. The four menlooked at it, then Solomon leaned in and high-fived me. Maddoxwinked.

"I'vebeen working on a plan. I started to devise it between listening toyou and making my failed attempt at rescuing you," Solomon saidwhile holding back a smile.

"Youneeded rescuing?" asked Maddox, turning to me. "Whathappened?"

"No, Ididn't and don't ask. What's your plan?" I asked myhusband-slash-boss.

"Shesaid the safe word," explained Solomon. "I rushed in. Turns out,she was just getting hungry."

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