Page 39 of Witness To Murder
The other woman turned around and shock showed on her face for a split second before she dove at Leah, wrapping her in an enthusiastic hug.
“Oh my God.” The one Leah had called Maya drew back and looked her over. “Are you all right? I can’t believe what I’ve been seeing on the news. I started to call, but I wasn’t sure if I should.”
Which was code forI didn’t want to get involved. Some friend. Owen recalled Leah mentioning that Maya was one of Isla’s friends who hadn’t really warmed up to her at first.
“It’s okay,” Leah said, talking loud enough for the other women to hear over the music. “But I’m really worried about Isla. No one has seen her since Saturday. She hasn’t shown up for work, and her mother hasn’t heard from her either.”
Maya’s expression turned apprehensive. “Are the police looking for her?”
Leah nodded. “I’m really worried she has…ended up like Raymond.”
Maya’s hand went to her chest. “No, that can’t be. Maybe she’s hiding. I can ask around. See if anyone has heard from her.”
“That would be very helpful,” Leah said. “I need to know she’s okay.”
Maya nodded, then glanced at Owen.
“Sorry.” Leah shook her head. “This is my friend Owen.” She turned to Owen. “This is Maya, Isla’s friend I was telling you about.”
Maya smiled at him, then glanced at Leah. “Where did you find him?” She waggled her eyebrows. “He’s hot.”
Owen opted to act as if he hadn’t heard her comment.
“He’s helping with the investigation,” Leah explained.
Maya’s expression blanked. “Is he a cop?” She stared at Owen with something like fear or uncertainty.
“Not a cop,” he explained, leaning closer to ensure she heard him. “I’m a private investigator.”
Maya nodded, her expression still obviously uncertain.
“We need to find Isla,” he said. “We believe she is in danger and needs our help. If you or any of her other friends sees her, please let her know that we can help.”
Maya shifted her attention from Owen to Leah. “Do you really think she’s in trouble?”
Leah moved closer to the other woman. “Absolutely. You don’t want to know what they did to Raymond. I have to find her and warn her.”
Owen had to hand it to her, Leah was playing it just right. He put his arm around her and moved closer into their huddle. “We will make sure she doesn’t end up like that poor SOB.”
Maya nodded slowly. “I’ll get the word out to everyone who knows her.” She frowned then. “Are you at the apartment?”
Leah nodded. “Where else would I go?”
“Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Maya hugged Leah again. “You be careful too. I thought for sure you and Raymond were both done for.”
“Me too,” Leah admitted. She peered up at Owen. “But I had a secret weapon.”
He smiled at her, but the look in her eyes made any amusement her remark had garnered vanish, and something entirely different settled in. Electricity was crackling between them, jumping wildly like the dance floor lights.
Rather than draw back, he kissed her. Slowly, briefly. The lightest of kisses. But the fire generated from his lips touching hers threatened to burn them both down.
Leah turned fully into him, stretched her arms up around his neck. His went around her waist, and the feel of her body pressing into his had his mouth deepening the kiss.
In the background, he heard Maya say, “See you around,” but slowing this kiss down, much less stopping it for anyone, was out of the question.
Leah pulled back, her eyes wide with surprise and no small amount of desire. “We should mingle.”
Before her words could filter through the haze of want blinding him to every single thing but her, she had grabbed his hand and was tugging him forward. He followed, struggled to relax the need roaring inside him.
