Free Kill Shot by J. D. Faver Page A

doesn’t bear a particular resemblance to any of the kids.
    Why is he there?”
    The balding man was somewhat pudgy and wore his shirttail out. His dark hair formed a cozy for the back of his head, leaving his bare pate shining on top.
    Aida said she would have the photo run through the system for facial recognition.
    Oz drove Micki back to his apartment while the system was searching.
    “That was interesting.” She stepped through the door and dropped her bag on the sofa. “I didn’t realize they could enhance photographs to that extent.”
    Oz grinned and ruffled her hair. “It’s an art form, like taking people’s pictures.”
    “Like taking off one’s clothes for money?” she asked. “Or giving lap dances...for money?” She raised her eyebrows and gave him a smirk.
    Oz narrowed his gaze. “You’re jealous.”
    “Not even.” She hadn’t meant to open that Pandora’s Box.
    “C’mon, admit it. You’re eaten up with the green-eyed monster.” He looked at her encouragingly.
    “Sorry,” she said. “If you found companionship with someone else after we broke up...”
    “After you broke up with me,” he corrected.
    “Whatever. I have no complaints about your friend Fawn except...I find it curious that you chose someone who was my complete polar opposite to replace me with.”
    “Micki, I didn’t replace you. I was just dating Fawn because. . . Because.”
    “Alrighty then. Don’t you need to go back to work?”
    “You anxious to get rid of me, or something?” Oz fixed her with a steady gaze.
    “No, why?” A flutter of nerves started up in her stomach.
    Oz widened his stance and planted his fists on his hips. “You’ve looked at your watch three times since we walked in the door. Are you expecting someone?”
    “Of course not.” Micki looked away, unable to meet his piercing glare.
    “Are you planning on leaving? That’s it! You’re going out.” Oz narrowed his eyes and pointed an accusatory finger. “I know you, Micki Vermillion.”
    “Yes, I’m going out, Oz,” she said in a firm voice.
    “And where do you think you’re going?”
    She raised her chin, defying him. “To my apartment. I’m meeting Arnold Meyers, my insurance agent. You remember him?”
    “I remember. Meyers is not going to protect you, Micki.”
    “I don’t need protection,” she said. “You told me that whoever hit me and took my stuff thinks he got all the pictures. There’s no reason for him to be messing with me anymore.”
    Oz stood with hands on hips, glaring down at her, making him appear bigger and badder. “I’m not convinced. You will not be going anywhere without a police escort.”
    Micki frowned back at him. “This is not worth your time.”
    “I’ll be the judge of that,” he growled.
    An explosion of anger fueled Micki’s words. “You think you’re the judge of everything, Oz. That’s the whole problem.” She bit her lip when she saw her words register on his face, sharp as a slap.
    He swallowed hard, gave her a long look and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
    Micki stared at the door for a moment. She looked at her watch again and tapped her foot. “Oh, damn it all.” She called Arnold and pushed the appointment back to six that evening. She gave herself a stern talking to about picking her battles.
    #
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Oz congratulated himself on getting into the elevator without putting his fist through any walls. He stabbed the parking garage button with his index finger.
    How could she be such an idiot? Judgmental? What’s that about? He’d never judged her. Except when she was being an idiot.
    He got into his car and peeled out of the underground parking. Returning to the lab, he found Aida Bounds examining the enlarged photographs with a magnifying glass.
    “Why so grim, Oz?” she asked. “Did your girlfriend give you a hard time about the stripper?” She looked up at him through her thick lenses.
    “She’s not my girlfriend,” he growled.
    “The