Free Pumped for Murder by Elaine Viets Page A

sweating like a stevedore in your Jeep.”
    She showered, changed into a cool blouse and combed the wind tangles out of her hair. On the short ride to the gym, Helen said, “Any way we could afford a car with air-conditioning? Showing up for interviews sweaty and windblown isn’t professional.”
    “The heat doesn’t bother me. I’m naturally cool.” He grinned.
    Helen kissed him. “I know,” she said. “I love you anyway.”
    “I hate to give up my Jeep,” Phil said. “It blends in so many places. I think we could find you a good used car. Want me to start looking?”
    “Yes,” Helen said. “You can save me from the clutches of the car dealers. I don’t care what I drive as long as it has air-conditioning. I’m guessing we don’t want a flashy ride for our business.We’re at the gym already. Thanks for the ride.”
    The doors to Fantastic Fitness opened with that weird air-lock whoosh, and Helen was gratefully enveloped in its chilled atmosphere. Carla was at the reception desk. Bryan was leaning across it, talking to her.
    As she approached, Helen heard him say, “I have a session this afternoon with my trainer, Jan. Is she in yet?”
    Carla checked the schedule. “Jan’s due here in about ten minutes.”
    “Okay.” Bryan shrugged and his shoulders rippled. “I’ll warm up on the stationary bike until she comes in.”
    Bryan mounted the first bike in the front row when a scream split the gym air: “What the hell are you doing on my bike?”
    Helen recognized the roar: Debbi the bodybuilder was in another rage. Her chest heaved. Her yellow hair stood up in outraged spikes. Helen feared she would black out from fury. Helen had never seen a young bodybuilder who looked so lean. There wasn’t enough fat on her to fry an egg. The corded muscles twisting on her arms, legs and shoulders made her look like a science-fiction creature.
    Carla pushed Helen toward the stationary bike. “Go break up that fight!” she said. “I got her last two tantrums. I can’t deal with Debbi today.”
    Bryan didn’t want a confrontation with Debbi. He dismounted from the bike and tried to soothe her. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know you were using this.”
    “Everyone knows I always use the first bike. Even you should know.”
    Debbi’s anger sizzled and crackled around her like an electric field. Helen approached the bodybuilder warily, like a zookeeper approaching a wild animal.
    Bryan stayed sweetly apologetic. “I didn’t see anyone on the bike. I didn’t think anyone was using it.”
    “It’s bad enough I have to watch that crap CNN instead of seeing the truth on Fox News,” Debbi said. “Then I go hydrate and you steal my bike.”
    “Here,” Bryan said. “Take it.”
    Helen saw that Debbi’s face was stroke red and her eyes were jaundice yellow. Even her skin had a yellow tinge. She looked trapped and hurt.
    I should have a tranquilizer gun for this assignment, Helen thought. She tried to tell herself that Debbi was young and damaged by her father’s misdeeds, but it didn’t help.
    “Debbi,” Helen said softly, working to keep the fear out of her voice. “Bryan didn’t mean to take your bike. He’s rooting for you just like everyone else here. We all want you to succeed. Remember your talk with Carla? Anger is bad for your career.”
    Debbi whirled on Helen as if she was going to attack her. Then her face grew softer. Her eyes looked wounded. “You’re right,” she said. “It’s not worth it. He’s not worth it.”
    Bryan had climbed on another bike farther down the row and was pedaling hard. He didn’t look their way.
    Debbi took a seat on the bike she’d claimed as her own. “I’ll try to do better,” she said.
    “Good work,” Carla whispered when Helen was back at the reception desk. “She still scares me.”
    “She’s better after you talked to her,” Helen said. “This time Debbi made an effort to calm down. Look at her. She’s fine now.”
    Debbi was pedaling