Free Hide 'N Seek by Yvonne Harriott Page A

somehow.”
    “Somehow?” Jamie grunted his eyes hard as steel. “We have pictures that link your company to fraud or theft and that’s just for starters. What would the police think if they received an eight by ten glossy of
your
company van parked in your client’s driveway moments before they were robbed?”
    “That van was stolen. We had—”
    “How convenient. I’m sure they would take that into consideration when they throw your butt in jail after what happened to your client’s house in Jamaica Plains last night. Didn’t think we knew about that, did you?”
    “I found out about that early this morning and planned to mention it in our meeting.”
    Jamie leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his neck, his eyes still on Beck. He looked as if he’d already made up his mind that he was guilty of something and Beck had to wonder how productive their meeting would be.
    “What I can’t figure out is, why? It doesn’t make sense.”
    “If I were you, I’d be thinking the same thing. But you’re wrong,” Beck said. He was in defensive mode now and didn’t like it one bit.
    “I don’t believe you.”
    “Why would I try to kill Marklynn last night and then show up here today?”
    “What do you mean
try to kill
Markie?” Jamie sat up like a cobra about to strike.
    “She didn’t tell you?” Beck’s eyes widened in surprised.
    “Tell me what?” Jamie placed his palms on the desk and pushed himself up to his full height leaning forward.
    “Someone tried to run her over last night,” Beck said, knowing exactly what was on Jamie’s mind. “Before you start swinging,” he held up both hands, “I had nothing to do with it.”
    The woman whose very name had changed the conversation from unfriendly to hostile walked into the room, sporting a gray power suit. The skirt flirted above her knees. With legs like hers, clad in sheer silk stockings wearing high-heeled black leather pumps, she was definitely a candidate for some type of leg commercial.
    Her hand went to her hip to secure the gun into the hip holster as she moved effortlessly towards the front of the room. After the attempt on her life it was a wonder she wasn’t walking around with the gun in her hand.
    “Good morning,” Markie said and dropped the file folder on the table. “Sorry I’m late.”
    She pushed the wraparound sunglasses from her face to the top of her head and Jamie exploded, “Sweet mother of God!”

Chapter Five
     
    S ydney sat up on the cot when she heard keys jingling on the other side of the door. She scrambled to her feet just as the door opened and a woman, tall, with skin the color of honey strolled in. The black bodysuit she wore looked like it was painted on showing off her well-defined muscles. A body suit in the middle of summer makes perfect sense for a lunatic.
    Sydney had named her Blondie. She’d gotten a glimpse of her before she’d passed out earlier. The woman’s left hand was behind her back. In her right hand she had water, a small bottle. Sydney took her eyes off the water when Blondie moved slowly into the room staring at her like an animal stalking its prey.
    “Aren’t you a clever girl?” The woman’s eyes fell on the tape Sydney had ripped from her mouth.
    Sydney worked at the ropes to free her hands as the woman neared her. She wasn’t going to—
    “Sit down.” A taser appeared from behind Blondie’s back. “Do I need to remind you what I’m capable of?” She smiled a cold smile that made Sydney shiver.
    Blondie set the bottle of water down on the floor by her feet. She looked down at the water then at Sydney with that cold smile again.
    “Thirsty? You can have a mouth full if you tell me what I want to know. Sit down and let’s have a chat. Shall we?”
    “What do you want?” Sydney sat down on the cot eyeing the taser gun, not wanting to push her luck with Blondie. Her side was still sore from the introduction and she didn’t want a repeat performance. What she