Free No Test for the Wicked: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery, Book Five by Julie Moffett

this problem. Simple. Logical. Except...”
    “Except?”
    “I’m freaking scared out of my mind. What if I don’t recognize myself when it’s said and done?”
    “You will. Want me to come along for moral support?”
    “Would you? Oh, jeez, Elvis, that would be prime. I’d really appreciate it. I have an appointment at two-thirty. Are you sure?”
    “Absolutely. Give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
    * * *
    “Open your eyes.”
    I shook my head. “I can’t.”
    “Come on, Lexi. Open your eyes. You look great.”
    I peeked open one eye and saw Elvis leaning over me, his nose almost touching mine. I sat cringing in the stylist’s chair, afraid to look in the mirror after an hour of really smelly chemicals, a hair wash, a blow-dry and style.
    I felt thoroughly traumatized.
    Elvis smiled. I felt better having him here. “It’s okay, Lexi. Trust me. You can look now.”
    I opened the other eye. “How bad is it?”
    “It isn’t bad at all. It’s very pretty.”
    “But it’s blonde.”
    “Yes, that was the idea, right? Think accessory. You can do this. Just look.”
    I gulped a breath. “Okay. You’re right. I can do this. Besides, it’s too late to turn back now.”
    “Ready?”
    I nodded so Elvis swirled the chair around until it faced the mirror. I blinked. I absolutely didn’t recognize myself.
    I was blonde. Totally blonde.
    It wasn’t a platinum blonde, but a darker, warmer blonde with a golden hue. It didn’t look as bad as I expected, but it was utterly, totally different from the usual me. It looked like a completely different person looking back at me. There were a couple of people staring at me in the salon and I blushed self-consciously.
    I turned my head and my hair swished softly around my shoulders. I was convinced that there was no way on God’s green earth that anyone would recognize me, and that made me feel a lot better even if it still freaked me out.
    Elvis held out a hand and I took it. He pulled me out of the chair. “You did great, Lexi. A walk in the park, right?”
    “Not hardly. But I did it...thanks to you.” I gave him a big hug. “You are the best, Elvis. Really. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re my rock. Thank you.”
    His cheeks reddened. “Glad I could help.”
    “You always do. I guess that’s what friends are for.”
    “I guess so.”

Chapter Eight
    After the hair appointment, I went straight home. I checked my email and saw that Finn had sent me confirmation that all the necessary paperwork had been signed with Bonnie and she had created a dossier for me as a new student named Lara Carson. She had also sent a courier to my apartment with a school uniform and shoes in my size. I tried them on and as much as I felt like an idiot, they did make me look significantly younger. Add in the blonde hair and I was statistically confident no one would recognize me.
    Lara Carson had been born. We were a go for the undercover operation.
    I appreciated Bonnie’s foresight in giving me the same initials. The name was also short and sweet, which would make it easier for me to remember. I spent the next hour or so creating Lara Carson and uploading my information to the school’s system. When I was done, I sat back and examined my work. It wasn’t perfection, but it was good enough to fool any curious kids who might try to check me out.
    I’d texted Slash that I was going to bed early as I had school in the morning. He texted me back that he’d come over tomorrow. He was involved in the questioning of Ansari Zogby anyway and would update me when he had the chance.
    Despite my nervousness about returning to high school, I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
    The next morning, I took a shower and got dressed in the school uniform—a green, white and black plaid skirt, a white polo with the school emblem, a green school sweater and black shoes. I looked really...young. My stomach felt shaky just imagining myself in high school again, so I