Page 116 of Triggered By Love
“The Secret Service cancelled it.” Avery hit herself on the forehead. “How did I forget? Is it possible for you to take her place?”
“Who me? You bet!” Kerry put her palms together. “But who’s going to make sure the models are in line?”
“You’ll go right near the end, before I do my ramp walk, so everything should be fine.”
“Bet Matt Swanson’s disappointed he won’t meet the president’s daughter.”
“I’m guessing he’s the reason they canceled. He’s still claiming he was the target of the hit and run attempt.”
“He probably was the target,” Kerry said. She watched network news and believed most of their fables.
Avery saw no reason to correct her, especially since she, too, would rather not believe it had anything to do with Ivanna’s attack.
“I’ll be so glad when this show’s over,” Avery said. “I need a vacation.”
“Come to Hawaii and catch some waves. I’m working on a new line of wetsuits and beachwear.”
“I look forward to it. Let’s plan on it.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“What do you have there?”Jason’s partner, Blade, flipped through the printouts of the model pictures.
“They’re all connected,” Jason said. “Larry Leach, Harvey Leach, Ivanna Chu, this fireman named Trent, and Tatiana Renzi, the anger management therapist. I went to the Brooklyn place where the models are shacked up and spoke to a couple of their neighbors.”
“Even if they know each other, which isn’t a stretch since they’re all in the same business, what does this have to do with the shooting last year?”
Jason grinned widely as he flicked out his coup de grace. “The witness says Ernesto Gomez, the shooter, was paid half but didn’t get the other half because he died. He also ties Saul with the rich dude who paid Ernesto, and get this, he identified Ivanna as the chick with Saul Saturday night smoking weed, and Tatiana as Joselito’s girlfriend.”
“All this from one nosy guy?”
“Ziko’s his name, and here’s his address. Let’s run a check on him. I also got the four-one-one on a model named Jaheem who gave me two numbers for model bookers—off agency.” He unfolded the piece of paper with the phone numbers.
“Burnett, what the hell are you doing here?” It was the chief’s grouchy voice. “You’re on sick leave.”
“I didn’t call in sick,” Jason retorted.
Chief Grimes glared at him and slapped a form on the table. “Stress disability. Signed off by your therapist, Dr. Renzi. Now, get out of here.”
Jason caught Blade gulp and stiffen. His eyes darted away, and he pretended to be adjusting his phone settings.
“You had something to do with this?” Jason drilled Blade in front of the chief.
“You punched me out of anger, and you’re dogging that model lady. You need to simmer down,” Blade said.
“Don’t tell me what I need.” Jason gathered up his photos and evidence. “A young lady was hurt. She’s in a coma, and I’ve got a lead on the perp.”
“Young ladies get mugged every day,” the chief said. “It’s not your case, and I haven’t heard she’s in a coma. Who told you?”
“Her sister.” Jason wasn’t going to let on that he’d heard thirdhand from Avery. “Look, I have a lead on the guy who beaned her.”
“It’s DeBrassos’s case, and I want you out of here,” the chief said.
Vinnie DeBrassos was the mayor’s son who had the ear of the top brass. Why was he put on a supposed minor and unimportant case?
“Vinnie will want to hear my lead,” Jason said. “The same guy attacked me, and I have a description of his shoe.”
“Give me your badge and gun,” Chief Grimes demanded. “You’re on leave until you’re cleared by the psychologist. Be glad I’m not putting you on desk duty or parking.”
