Page 147 of Triggered By Love
“I’m Blade Camden,” the man in the middle said. He grabbed her hand and shook it hard. “Jason asked me to be an extra pair of eyes and ears. Brought my buddy, Trent, who I’m sure you already know.”
“Yes, we’re acquainted.” She extricated her hand from Blade’s and gave Trent a smile. “We had a mix up with the fashion press. They billed this show as all new models, fresh faces not seen before. One of the press thought you were a model last year.”
“It’s okay,” Trent said. “Tatiana was more disappointed than I was, but I’m here anyway to honor Brando. Everyone at the station wants me to get an autograph from Matt Swanson.”
“Are you here to help us with security?” Kerry asked.
“Jason said I could bring backup,” Blade replied. “I figure Trent is perfect. Besides, if there’s a fire, he’ll come in handy.”
Pinpoints of sweat spiked over Avery’s skin, and she wondered if she should say anything. But at the same time, Jason was suspicious of everyone.
“Well, guys, we should let Avery and Kerry finish checking the outfits,” Finn said. “Blade, you’re going to be out on the deck with me, and Trent will stay backstage with Jason.”
“I thought I was supposed to stay backstage,” Blade said.
“You’re a cop. You’re better at reading people,” Finn explained. “Let me show you where the guests are sitting.”
Finn and Blade walked out of the restaurant to visit the protruding deck.
Avery and Kerry turned toward the clothes racks, and Trent followed them. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
* * *
After passingthrough the metal detectors and being wanded by Secret Service, Jason and the other models entered the elevator that would take them a hundred floors up the Hudson Yards skyscraper.
Avery’s text bothered him.Trent is here. Your partner Blade brought him for backup.
What the hell?
His first instinct was to call Blade and yell at him, but he wasn’t going to be alone at any time during the show. Bathroom breaks had been taken at the art school, and because of security, no one would be allowed into a bathroom until they exited the building at the end of the show.
Fortunately, fashion shows didn’t last long. Most of the work had already taken place. Days, weeks, and months of preparation, followed by an hour of makeup, dressing, and styling, then a sixty-second walk for each model—all over in twenty minutes max.
He texted Avery.I’m in the elevator. Will be there shortly.
She texted back.Do you know what happened to your quill Mohawk?
He knew, but he wasn’t going to admit it to her. Not before the show. He needed her cooperation to keep her safe.
Instead of answering, he turned off his phone. He’d later on claim that Secret Service had collected his phone, which they were about to do as soon as they got off the elevator.
The more pressing problem was the unexpected appearance of Trent and figuring out why Blade would have volunteered him.
When Tatiana reported that Trent and Blade had met for drinks, he’d been shocked. Blade had never mentioned meeting up with one of Brando’s friends. But would Blade have known Trent was Brando’s friend? What if Trent were the one who’d initiated the relationship for the sole purpose of pumping information?
Oftentimes, the perpetrator couldn’t stay away from his crime scene and was addicted to engaging law enforcement to find out everything about the investigation.
Jason didn’t have time to analyze Trent’s motives, because as soon as they got off the elevator, they passed through security and checked in their phones. They lined up in the order they’d appear. Kerry handed each model a number, directing them to the clothes rack and partition where they would change, get made up, and prepare for the walk.
Avery was at his booth.
“You didn’t answer me,” she said. “Your quill headdress is missing.”
“I’m relieved.” He chuckled. “I guess I got lucky.”
“No, I got unlucky.” She wrung her hands and rocked nervously on her toes. “All the animal effects are missing. They must have gotten left behind at the art school, and there’s no time to fetch them.”
“You’ll save some time with makeup then,” Jason pointed out. “Hey, it’s going to go well. I know it.”
