Page 25 of Breathe Me In

“No, the staff are all good people. Minus Jeremy Law.”

“Who’s that?” Bree asked before I could.

“He’s the beer delivery guy—strange, but whatever. I just use him to get what I want.”

Bree shot me a quick look as she jotted down his name. Everyone was worth looking into, especially since Maria called him strange.

“Anyway,” Sophia went on, “they’re always looking out for us. It helps that we share our tips with them, but it’s worth it. They’ve pulled us out of flash mobs or fights before.”

“That’s good to hear.” Bree spoke gently, and I could tell she was digging like she did with the kids she used to search for. I’d done a little homework on Bree, and the number of kids she’d rescued from the streets was impressive. “Any of those times happen within the last three weeks?”

“Um.” I watched in the reflection as Maria tilted her head back as she thought. “Well, yeah, actually.” She sat straight when she looked at Sophia. “Remember that guy with the ninja fingers?” That made me turn around.

“Oh yeah, ninja-turtle guy.” Sophia made a disgusted face. “I hate that guy. I tried to get him banned.”

“Name?” I asked.

“That’s the problem,” they both said at the same time. Sophia held up a hand to speak.

“He’s a blender.”

“Meaning?” I hated expressions.

Bree filled me in. “It means he’s hard to spot because he blends in so well.”

“Yeah.” Sophia nodded. “I think he uses a different ID sometimes. He always seems to get past the bouncers. He wears dull colors, so he doesn’t stand out. Simple haircut, probably drinks Coors Light, or something light, anyway, so he appears to be having a good time, but he’s never drunk or anything.”

“Well, what’s the issue with him then? What’d he do?” I tried to understand better. “Try to get too close and personal or something?”

“Exactly.” Sophia sat down next to her friend. “And he’s all touchy.”

“Yeah, it’s so strange.” Maria rubbed her head. “He’s got these creepy hands.”

I pushed the stack of never-ending mail to the side. “You said ninja turtle. Why?”

“It’s a nickname we gave him because he has green stains on his thumb and fingers, like food coloring or something.” Maria looked at Bree when she pulled out her phone and turned it around so they could see the photo of the green fingers on the hem of Sophia’s sleeve.

“Gross.” Sophia made a face at Maria. “Yup, that’s ninja turtle’s gross fingers all right.”

“Any chance you guys have a still shot of his face? Or at least more of him than his hand,” I asked.

“Maybe, I mean, we could dig,” Maria offered.

I scratched my chin as I thought. “How long have you noticed this guy hanging around?”

“Um?” Sophia looked at her friend. “I’d say a week or so before the first girl was murdered.”

“Yeah, I agree with that.” Maria nodded at her. I threw a quick glance at Bree. She obviously was as happy as I was at that answer. Maybe we’d just caught a new lead.

“Anything you find, big or small, call me.” I held out my card to Maria.

Sophia slipped the card from her fingers. “Do I get one of these?”

“Share.” I stretched my lips in an attempt at a smile, and Bree arched a brow at my coldness toward Sophia.

Bree stood and pulled out her own card. “Send me what you find, and if you think of anything else, just let me know.” She gave her card to Sophia. “Also, the PD has officers at the nightclub every night, so there’s added protection. But you ladies might want to think about switching careers—men like these can get infatuated, and shaking a stalker these days isn’t as easy as it once was, what with the internet and all.” Bree glanced at me quickly, then headed for the door.

Sophia tried to justify herself. “It’s just such good money, and school is so expensive. Why do weirdos have to ruin it for people like us?”