Free Kissing in Action by Camilla Chafer

profit share from future deals going forward. Katya's percentage for any deals up until her death will go to her next of kin."
    "So none of us can benefit financially from Katya's death," Amelia concluded.
    "Who is her next of kin?" I asked.
    "I'd have to check the file, but I think it's her sister."
    The bedroom door opened and Lauren appeared. "Is the bitch still dead?" she asked.
    "Yep!" screeched Shelley. She reached for the bottle and poured another glass, drinking half of it in one gulp. I raised my eyebrows to Solomon in silent question at her alcohol intake. It was barely mid-afternoon and she already seemed to have consumed half a bottle.
    "Joe, I need to ask you again where you were when Katya was killed," Solomon said, pretending to check his notes.
    "I'll tell you where he will be," laughed Lauren, approaching the coffee table and poking at the sandwiches. She piled a few on a small plate, added chips, and plonked herself down next to Amelia. "He'll be partying with the rest of us later."
    "There will be no partying. We'll stay at the hotel tonight. We need to show respect for Katya. Her body's barely cold," said Joe.
    "Barely? She was always ice cold," scoffed Shelley.
    "Can you hold down the fort?" Solomon asked quietly, leaning into me so he couldn't be overheard. "I think we need to separate them in order to get some straight answers."
    I took a look at the band, who were giggling amongst themselves while they gorged down snacks and alcohol. "I guess," I said, feeling crestfallen at the very idea of trying to mediate between them. Perhaps without Katya throwing vases, it would be a lot easier; and if I were really lucky, maybe they would gossip. I could certainly glean some new information that way. "Can you find out who Joe was with, too? Maybe he'll tell you when he’s alone."
    Solomon nodded. "We've got locations for all of you when Katya died," he started. "Lauren, you were asleep in this room. Shelley, you were downstairs in the hotel as were you, Amelia. Joe, you already mentioned you were in the library, also downstairs, but we have a witness that places you on this floor just prior to the murder."
    "That's impossible. I told you I was in the library. Whoever it was must have been mistaken."
    "My witness was very certain, and also said you were with a woman."
    Joe laughed. "Really? I don't have time for women. I've got a band in the middle of a tour. Do you know how much work that is?"
    "I don't want to embarrass you..."
    "I'm not embarrassed, merely bemused. Like I said, your witness must have seen someone who looked like me."
    "On this floor? In the housekeeping closet?"
    "There's a housekeeping closet on this floor? News to me." Joe shrugged as he looked around at the band as if to say Solomon was talking crazy. "I don't think I've ever even seen the housekeeping staff."
    "Me neither," said Amelia. "They're like elves. They come in and clean, but you never see them."
    "Maybe because they're too busy making out in the closet," laughed Joe. "Listen, all I can tell you is I was nowhere near this floor when Katya got killed. Maybe your witness got the time wrong. I wish I could be of more help."
    "Let me show you the hotel closet," Solomon said, "Maybe it'll jog your memory."
    "Sure, if we must, but I don't how it'll help since I was never there. Girls, I can trust you all to cooperate with Lexi and answer her questions?" Joe said, rising and smoothing his jeans. "Which way?"
    "Follow me."
    "Your boss is a hottie," Lauren said when Solomon and Joe exited the room. "Is he single?"
    "No, sorry," I told her. I was starting to find any girl in B4U fancying my boyfriend a little wearing. Of course, I could take it as a compliment that these beautiful, accomplished women found him attractive, and I must confess that part of me did, but I didn't like having to perpetually defend his honor.
    "Damn shame. The things I could show him."
    "Everyone's seen your things," said Amelia. "You should put them away before