“Hi, this is Detective Belladonna Devereaux calling Sheila Watts.”
“One second. I’ll connect you.”
It rang three times before Shiela answered. “Crime Lab. This is Sheila. How can I help you?”
“Hey, lady. Its Bella Deveraux.”
“Oh, heyyy, Bella” she squealed as if happy to hear from her.
“I need a favor.”
Though Sheila was a civilian, she and Bella had once worked together on a violent crime task force. They’d remainedfriendly, even having dinner and cocktails from time to time. So, Bella was fairly confident that if asked for help, Sheila would oblige.
“What you need, boo?”
“The ME just submitted DNA from a southside homicide that might be in line with my serial murders. I need a rush on those results.”
“Really?” Sheila scoffed. “So does everyone else in Chicago.”
“Well, is everyone else in Chicago gonna invite you to a wedding where a gang of fine-ass single millionaires will be in attendance?”
Sheila raised a brow. After only seconds of pensive silence, she asked, “What is it that you need me to do? Give me the report number.”
CHAPTER 40
NIYAH
Niyah entered the restaurant and stopped at the hostess’s station. She looked past the young woman at a podium to see if she could spot Leo. “I’m meeting someone.”
“Tall, dark, and very handsome?” the hostess inquired.
Niyah chuckled. “Oh, yeah. How did you know?”
The hostess smiled. “He gave me a little description of you. Are you Dr. Reed?”
“I am,” Niyah confirmed.
The hostess stepped from behind the podium. “Right this way.”
Niyah followed her through the restaurant to a table near a window with a perfect view of downtown Chicago. Leo stood and ceased several conversations around them. If nothing else, the man attracted attention. He was six feet and four inches of beauty and bulk. What else was there to talk about but the impeccably dressed copper-colored man with the perfect white teeth?
Leo smiled and opened his arms for a hug.
Niyah thanked the hostess and walked into his arms. “Hey, Leo,” she whispered.
“It’s good to see you, Yah Yah.” He stepped back and pulled a chair out for her to sit. Niyah chuckled at the use of the adolescent nickname. “You too," she responded as she sat.
Leo took the seat across the table and gestured toward the glass of red wine in front of her. “I took the liberty.”
Niyah smiled. “Good memory...”
Grateful for the drink, she grabbed the glass and sighed. The past year had been hell. Niyah’s world had been turnedupside down. She wasn’t at all used to dodging bullets, hiding out, or destroying evidence.
Leo leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “Niyah?” Concern saturated his voice when he spoke. “What’s going on?”
Niyah looked up and pushed a wayward loc from her face. “I’m in trouble,” she sighed.
Leo frowned. “Legal trouble?”
