The salon door chiming snatched Kennedy out of her head and sent her attention to the entrance. She sprang up, almost dropping her fish platter as the detectives who had interrogated her about Lomar sauntered into the building with curious eyes and unreadable expressions that put her on edge in an instant. After placing her food on her booth countertop, she waved a hand, so they’d see her.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Can I help you two with something?”
The tub of lard detective, who she had learned during their last encounter was named Edwards, stepped forward first—slipping a hand inside his slacks pocket with a snarl Kennedy was dying to match. It was clear that he wasn’t a fan of hers, and the feeling was fucking mutual.
“Is there someplace where we can chat privately, Ms. Sutton? My partner and I have a few things we would like to update you on. It won’t take long.”
Kennedy could tell that his approach was a crock of bullshit, but replied, “We can speak in my office. Follow me.”
Without waiting to see if they were on her heels, she grabbed her purse and strutted toward her office, taking a sharp inhale to settle her stomach that somersaulted with each step. She figured there was a possibility they’d reach out to her again at some point, but she’d hoped like hell it wouldn’t happen. Kennedy debated whether or not to call Morrone as she dug in her purse for her keys to unlock her office door. She pushed it open and stepped aside to allow the men access, deciding to hold off on reaching out to her lawyer since it’d seem like she was guilty of something.
“This is a real nice salon,” Edwards complimented as he strolled inside, gazing around with an approving nod. “It just opened a few months ago, right?”
“It did.”
Kennedy left the detectives where they stood to head to her desk, rounding it to sit down before she crossed her legs and propped both hands on her knees. They shot one another fleeting glances and then migrated to the center of the room while continuing to check it out.
“What did we need to discuss?” she pressed, ready to get the shit over with.
“There was a big break in your case, and we figured you’d love to hear about it.”
“So, you caught the other robber?”
“Something like that.” The second detective stepped in, giving his signature good guy smile that Kennedy saw right though. “I’m sure you’ve heard of a local female rap artist by the name of Aura. She was abducted and robbed recently. The story is everywhere.”
Kennedy batted her lashes. “I’m familiar with it.”
“I would assume so, especially since we realized your nephew, Tekken, is signed to the same label as her. It’s run and owned by a Relic Blaise, correct? So is this salon.”
“I’m confused. I thought this conversation was about the guy who robbed me.”
“Woman.”
“Excuse me?” Kennedy cocked her head with her face pinched like she’d heard him wrong. “Are you telling me, a woman was with Lomar that night?”
Edwards chuckled. “You’re good at that, you know? Playing dumb.”
“Well, I’m glad you know that I’m far from stupid, so cut the games. Why are you here? Because it sounds to me like it has nothing to do with my situation.”
“I’m getting there. James and I were coming up short with finding the other robber before the Aura incident, but once prints from that crime scene went into our databases, guess what we found? A match. I’m sure you know of one Ronniesha Jenkins.”
“Ronnie? I do, and we used to work together. I didn’t like the bitch,” she admitted with a straight face. “I didn’t know her and Aura were cool, though.”
“So, you’re telling me that the woman who helped to rob you, being with Aura the night she was abducted, and you both working for Mr. Blaise, is one big coincidence?”
“Not at all,” Kennedy retorted, standing up. Her arms crossed as she conjectured, “I think they were connected. I believe that Ronnie worked with Lomar, and she probably worked with the men who snatched up Aura, too. Her ass is the common denominator in the equation, not Aura nor myself. Mr. Blaise has thriving businesses, and they saw it. So, Lomar pretended to date me, so he could get close, and then Ronnie befriended Aura to do the same. Both of their plans just happened to backfire, it seems.”
“And you just put that together in the minute or so of me giving you that information?” he quizzed, making her smile.
“I did. See how simple your job is when you focus on facts instead of trying to puzzle together pieces that don’t fit? Be sure to tell your superior who really solved the case for you while you pussyfooted around. Anything else?”
James spit out a boisterous laugh that Kennedy could tell was genuine as his head tipped back a bit, and Adam’s apple jumped. She noted, from the entertained glint in his eyes; he was both impressed and intrigued by her. He was worse than officer Tolliver, but she found it endearing that black men with badges had hard-ons for her in the wrong sense. Kennedy was the last women they should’ve found attractive.
“I have one more question,” he stated, but she raised a hand to stop him.
“That question was rhetorical. I’m not answering shit else, but you have my attorney’s number, right? Run it by him. Let me walk you gentlemen out.”
“We’ll see ourselves out,” Edwards grumbled, giving his partner a reprimanding glower before walking off.
