After pushing her hair out of her face, the woman straightened up and forced a smile. “Hi,” she greeted with too much enthusiasm. “I-I’m just waiting for Dr. Reed.”
Xander stepped further inside. “And, where is Dr. Reed?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m waiting. She’s my sister. I’m Naomi.”
Xander’s brows rose with revelation. “Oh, wow. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Xander Creed.”
Naomi smiled. Xander noted how pretty she was. But, other than their complexion, she and Niyah didn’t resemble much.
“All of the Creed men really do look alike,” she marveled.
Xander nodded with a grin. “So, I’ve heard.”
“Hey!” Niyah greeted from the doorway.
She entered wearing jeans and a pink blouse. Her long African locs were wrapped in a bun, showing off big silver hoops. Her casual look was alluring.
“So, you’ve met. Good.” Niyah walked over to her desk and dropped a batch of files on top. She turned to her sister with a smile. “This is a pleasant surprise. Whatcha doing here?”
Naomi smiled in return, but Xander could see the lie building in her eyes. “I was just in the neighborhood. I wanted to stop by and say hi.”
“And go through your shit,” Xander tattled with a chuckle.
Naomi turned to him with a grimace. Xander offered a shrug. So much for winning over the sister.
“I was just being nosy. Some of your cases garner a creepy fascination,” she explained.
Niyah raised a brow at her sister. “My cases are not for your amusement. Stay out of my shit.”
Naomi threw her hands up in feigned surrender. “Okay, okay, sis. No more snooping.”
She had made her deeds sound so innocent, but Xander knew that she was a recovering addict. He hoped to be wrong, but he definitely sensed more nefarious motives.
“Okay, you two, how about dinner at Maple & Ash?” he offered.
Noami grinned. “Well, it’s the least you could do for ratting me out.”
Xander turned to Niyah. “Dinner?”
“I could eat,” she admitted with a smile.
CHAPTER 27
NIYAH
Niyah stepped into the dark, dilapidated southside apartment building and looked to the sergeant. He moved to the side hand pointed toward the back of the house. “Last bedroom on the left. Detective Deveraux is back there.”
“Detective Deveraux?” Niyah questioned.
She had talked to Bella earlier that day, and every day of the two weeks since Niyah had returned to work. From her understanding, Bella was doing well but still recovering.
“Yeah. She’s been back there for a while now.”
“Um, okay. Thanks.” Niyah walked down a hall that was dimly lit by a light coming from the room on the left. She stepped inside and, sure enough, Bella was kneeling over her naked homicide victim. It was only when Bella looked up to say hello did Niyah realize that Bella wasn’t Bella. The detective she was looking at was Donatella.
Niyah looked back to make sure no one was standing near them. When she realized the coast was clear, she whipped around to Donna. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m impersonating Bella…duh,” Donna muttered.
