Kill Shot (7 page)

Oz turned his glare on Micki. She got his meaning, recalling the man of the same description who had assaulted her in her apartment.

“What happened after you hit the tree?”

Zondra cleared her throat. “You mean, after I was run off the road and smack dab into a tree?” At his nod, she continued. “While I was sitting there, totally traumatized, he jerked the car door open and grabbed my purse.”

“Your purse?” Oz glanced beyond her to the large, pearlized leather bag sitting beside her on the gurney.

“Yes, this purse. The guy reached across me and grabbed it. Then he tossed it out the window of the Hummer when he sped away. My On-Star called the ambulance and cops. One of the ambulance guys got it for me.” She pulled the bag closer.

“Be sure to cancel your credit cards,” Micki said.

“No, all he took was the pictures. Can you believe that? I was on my way to my mother’s house to pick one for the newspaper announcement.” Zondra clapped her hands to both cheeks. “Oy! My mother’s gonna freak. I called my fiancé and I called you guys...but I’m scared to call my mom.”

Oz filched a pair of latex gloves from a dispenser, pulled them on and placed her purse in a plastic trash bag.

Zondra pointed a long, skinny acrylic nail at him. “What are you doing? That bag cost me five hundred bucks on sale.”

Oz grinned, giving her the full effect of the melt-you-where-you-stand eye twinkle. “Evidence.” He called for a cruiser to pick up the bag and take it to the good old police department crime lab.

Micki refrained from telling Zondra that her bag might not be in the same pristine condition when she got it back.

At that moment, Zondra’s fiancé, Ephraim, burst through the doors. Zondra’s face crumpled and tears rolled down her cheeks as he gathered her in his arms. She got to tell her story all over again.

Micki prepared to leave with Oz, but Zondra grabbed her hand. “I need another set of the pictures, Micki. I’ll pay extra.”

“I’ll make you a set,” she said. “No charge. And I’ll see you at the church Friday afternoon for the rehearsal.”

Oz was quiet when they walked to his car. “Micki, this thing is getting more dangerous by the minute. You can’t afford to take any more chances.” He skewered her with a stern gaze. “You should let someone else take the wedding photos.”

Micki thought the familiarity of doing something ordinary together was responsible for lightening Oz’ mood. Something as normal as pushing a shopping cart through a grocery store. They strolled aisle by aisle as though they’d been shopping together forever. He pushed the cart, but pulled her close with one arm around her shoulders.

His expression poked at her guilty conscience. He was happy and he thought they were really together, or was he trying to fool himself? Micki couldn’t tell, but she was helpless to stop the train roaring down the tracks.

“Artichoke hearts?” he asked. “What are you going to do with artichoke hearts?”

“You’ll see.” She put the can in the basket, aware that they were on dangerous ground. On the surface, they were pushing a cart through the market and bantering about meaningless things, but, in truth, they were dancing near the edge of a bottomless abyss.

Micki didn’t think she could climb out again.

At the check out, Oz presented his credit card. She had hoped to contribute but when she reached for her purse, he flicked a glance at her that put an end to her intentions. She knew better than to argue. Things were easy between them, for the moment at least.

Back at his apartment, they put away the food. As they worked alongside each other, she was aware that this felt way too comfortable. Micki prepared a dish her mom called spinach-artichoke linguini while Oz puttered around, picking up the apartment and setting the coffee table for their repast.

She tossed a salad, glancing up to catch him gazing at her with an expression that caused a little flutter in her chest.
Cool. Must remain cool
. He struck a match, illuminating his features as he lit a candle. She felt a warm flush creep up from her chest.

The savory aroma permeated the air. Oz was properly appreciative, raising the lid to sniff the concoction. He carried their plates to the coffee table.

She sat on the carpet in front of its low surface, leaning back against the sofa. She noticed that he’d lit another candle.
Way too romantic
.

Oz opened a bottle of white wine and poured it into a stemmed glass for her. “Try this.” He touched the glass to her lips encouragingly.

She sipped the crisp wine and smiled her approval. “This is nice. I didn’t know you were into wines.”

He chuckled. “I don’t know a lot about wine. I got a recommendation from a clerk at the liquor store.”

They ate in companionable silence with occasional snippets of meaningless conversation. It was as though each was aware of the fragility of their relationship and neither wanted to complicate it. Maybe they were both treading water.

She heaved a deep sigh. “What’s the connection between everything that’s happened the past two days? The trigger seems to have been my photo shoot in the park.”

“Obviously someone really wanted the pictures.” Oz sipped wine thoughtfully. “And he thinks he succeeded. He’s got the memory card and both sets of proofs.”

“Why would anyone want Zondra’s formal pictures? They’re only valuable to the bride and groom...and me, of course.”

Oz looked somber. “Your camera must have captured something you didn’t notice at the time. We have to let the lab examine your flash drive to look for what might have been going on in the background. I’m thinking a crime was taking place and you recorded it.”

She felt her neck stiffen. “This is my livelihood we’re talking about. I’m not turning this flash drive over to your powder scattering goons.”

“Babe, you have to.”

“No, I don’t. Your lab may have wrecked my cameras. I’m really pissed about that. It’s costing me a lot to have them professionally cleaned. Even then, I’ll have to shoot some pictures to see if Gus got all the dust out of the camera bodies.”

“Micki, I understand how you feel, but we have to have immediate access to whatever’s on that flash drive.”

She scrambled to her feet, feeling at a disadvantage sitting so close to Oz. She paced a few steps and whirled around. “Oz, you and I are the only ones who know that the thief didn’t get all the copies of the shoot. I’m asking you to let me conduct my business in my own way. I have to pay my rent and worry about getting a new ride. The photo files are in my computer and that’s in your so-called lab if some enthusiastic geeks haven’t filled it full of fingerprint dust.” She was aware that her voice had become a little shrill by the end of her tirade.

“Micki, I can’t turn my back on evidence. You can’t expect me to ignore the fact that you were shot at, robbed and assaulted. Don’t you want me to catch the guy who’s responsible?”

Micki expelled a deep breath, willing Oz to understand. “Yes, but I want to sell the pictures of the wedding from last week. And I want to sell Zondra her pictures too. That’s what I’m in business for.”

“Micki...”

“Oz...” She set her lips in a firm line and glared at him. “The couple who married last week are on their honeymoon right now. I cannot reshoot their wedding. It was a one-time event that can’t be recreated. It’s over. I’m not going to take a chance on ruining it for them.”

“Micki...”

“Oz, did you ever ask yourself why I made a computer file and then backed everything up on a flash drive?” She waited for an answer, and when none was forthcoming said, “It’s because these pictures are important. Not just because they’re my business but because these particular shots are important to real people. The pictures are part of their fairy tale. It’s romantic, Oz.”

She folded her arms across her chest and widened her stance. “Nope. Not gonna happen. You don’t care what happens to my flash drive. You’ll have to wait until I can have it downloaded for you. I’d do it myself, but all my computer equipment is wrecked.”

“Micki, you’re wasting time. We can’t wait around on this.” He sighed as she took their plates to the kitchen.

Micki ran water and washed dishes. She clanked the utensils against china until Oz quit trying to talk to her.

“Okay Micki, I give up.” He spread his hands wide. “But if the lab techs can’t recover your files from the hard drive, I’ll have to take the flash drive.”

#

CHAPTER FIVE

Micki lay on the sofa. Although the idea of sleeping in the luxury of Oz’ arms was tempting, she knew that sleep would be the last thing on his mind.

“Are you punishing me for wanting to turn in your flash drive?” he’d asked.

“Not yet,” she’d replied pleasantly.

And now she was on the sofa. She had tried it on her back and had curled up on each side in turn. Now she was stretched out on her stomach with her face resting on her arms.

She turned over again and found herself staring up into Oz’ eyes. He stood over her, eating her up with his dark smoldering gaze.

“Did you want something?” she asked airily.
Big Mistake
.

“I can’t guarantee to leave you alone unless you quit wiggling around and rubbing your cute little butt cheeks against me. That drives me nuts,” he said.

When Micki awoke, she was alone in the bed. Hearing the shower running, she remembered all the showers she’d shared with Oz and how his big hands had tenderly lathered her every mound and crevice, but that was then and this was now.

Micki got up, pulled on her clothes and walked barefoot into the kitchen. She started the coffeepot before reaching for the flash drive masquerading as a sleek pen. She glanced around, searching for a hiding place that Oz wouldn’t immediately locate. She slipped the pen into the middle of the container of coffee filters and placed it back in the pantry. She perched on a barstool to enjoy her coffee and await the impending storm.

Oz came into the kitchen buttoning his shirt.

A flurry of nerves swirled through her gut. She focused on keeping her hand steady as she poured coffee into a cup and offered it to him.

He grinned down at her. “Thanks, Micki.” Turning, he grazed the countertop with his gaze. He sipped the hot coffee and moved a notebook and a canister. Oz frowned, fixing her with a glare. “Micki, where is that flash drive thing of yours with the pictures you shot in the park?”

She forced a smile. “Not going to tell you. You can torture me but my lips are sealed.”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Micki, this isn’t a joke.”

“I’m not joking,” she said. “If your brilliant lab rats can’t restore my hard drive then you’ll have to get a warrant for the flash drive.”

Arnold Meyers was appalled that she’d sustained more losses and that she was filing yet another claim. He informed her that the rental camera was covered since all her equipment was insured. He agreed to meet her at her apartment later that afternoon.

Micki called Oz, but his phone went straight to message.
Just as well
. “Oz, I’m going out. Call me.” She was relieved that she could leave a message and not have another angry confrontation. She hoped it would be enough to keep him from worrying. While she didn’t appreciate his smothering, she knew it was coming from his heart.

An hour later the rental car was delivered. Micki signed for it, holding the keys to a dark blue Avalon.
Nice
.