Page 18 of Every Which Way

Kenna stepped out into the hallway rather than heading back into the auditorium. Ramon was already out there, talking to Maizie. Kenna held the door for Adrielle and Laney, who both stuck near her to say goodbye.

Adrielle gave her a gentle hug.

“Didn’t go the way I thought it would.” Laney gave her a hug as well. “But you got a dress.”

“We cried. We laughed. We shopped.”

“Dinner tonight? I can find a place,” Adrielle said.

Kenna nodded. “That would be nice.”

The two of them wandered off, and at the end of the hall, Kenna spotted the woman who’d come into the room earlier. She watched Jax’s mom and sister but didn’t follow them. Instead, she turned to stare at Kenna.

Who waved her over.

While the woman walked to them, Kenna crossed to Ramon and Maizie and caught their conversation.

“She did?” Ramon looked like a proud uncle.

“It’s gorgeous.” Maizie grinned.

Both of them looked like they’d won something.

“We might have a case.”

They snapped around to face her.

“If you two aren’t busy.”

Maizie didn’t quit smiling. Ramon’s facial expression was more like a smirk. Their body language told her everything—both of them were enjoying themselves immensely.

As the woman drew near, Ramon shifted slightly in front of Maizie, who leaned against the wall behind him. The woman had seen her. But they already knew their enemy was aware of the teen’s existence, where she’d come from, and where she lived now. It was up to them to protect her because they certainly couldn’t change the fact she’d been exposed by them.

Their enemy had been watching all of them.

The question was, what did they want?

And what did this woman have to do with it.

“I’m Kenna.” She motioned to him. “This is my associate, Ramon.”

He said, “The empty Starbucks cup was a nice touch.”

Neither of them introduced Maizie, and it looked like the woman might’ve been expecting it. “Roxanne. Nice to meet you all.”

Sure it was. “You wanted to talk to me?”

The first inkling of a frown appeared on her face. “I have a problem, and it requires your help.”

“Does it have anything to do with a police crime scene?”

Roxanne seemed surprised Kenna knew. “Actually, yes.”

“Okay, then.” Kenna tipped her head. “Let’s go check it out.” She glanced at Ramon.

He said, “Later.”

Maizie had said that only a forensic accountant could help make sense of the information they’d gained yesterday, so she may as well get started with that. “Call Jax and ask for a recommendation for what you need.”

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