Page 71 of Sleigh My Heart

With her morning coffee in hand, Michelle strolled into the plus-size clothing store where Margarita worked. The bell jingled as she entered.

“Good morning.” The woman’s sing-songy voice floated through the store.

“Miss Smith?” Michelle watched her stiffen like most people did when she was in uniform.

“Is he dead?” The beautiful woman stood stock still. The only movement was the deep heave of her chest as she inhaled.

“I checked with the hospital this morning. Mr. Garmen was in stable condition.”

The woman’s breath rushed out. The strength holding her shoulders fled, and she slumped to the counter. “They wouldn’t let me see him after surgery.”

Cliff was under police protection. No visitors. “It’s procedure. I have a couple questions for you. When did you hear about Mr. Garmen’s condition?”

“I was at work and an officer came in to ask questions. A big guy. Getting him to say who was shot was like peeling leather pants off after a set. Slow and painful.”

Michelle raised a brow. “He told you?”

“Hell, no. I even tried my best sexy voice. Nada.”

Michelle bit back a smile. That would never work on Brannon. She gestured for her to continue.

“When I called Cliff to pick me up, he didn’t answer. I’m as nosy as the next girl and was hanging out by the police tape to gather some deets, when I realized the phone ringing in the alley was Cliff’s.”

“You had no idea that Cliff was in the alley that night until after the shooting?”

“No.”

“When did you last hear from him?”

“Earlier that evening. Before my first set. He called and said he was sorry for ghosting me this week. Said he had something big go sideways and needed to chill for a while.”

“Did he say what?”

“No, just that he would swing by when I was off.”

“That was it? Did he say where he was going to be that evening?”

“Only that he was going to meet up with a buddy and he’d see me after.”

By the grief in the woman’s eyes, Michelle was inclined to believe her. But she’d been fooled before, so she asked a couple more questions, then rounded back to the drink with a buddy comment. “He didn’t tell you what he was meeting with Junior about?”

“Junior? That’s who he was meeting with?” Her hands fisted on the curve of her hip. “That idiot. Was he trying to bust his parole?”

“Junior or Garmen?”

“Cliff. I don’t give two hoots about Silver. He gets Cliff in more trouble. And now he’s been shot.” The anger in her eyes turned to big, fat tears. “Well, crap. Now I need to fix my face.”

“Junior got Cliff if to trouble before?”

“Not bad shit, but you know. Things that his parole officer would frown on.”

Michelle could think of a few, but would have to talk to Junior or Cliff about that. She pulled out a card and handed it to Smith. “If you hear or remember anything, please give me a call.”

Margarita pulled a tissue from her bra and blew her nose. Time for Michelle to go.

“What do you think?” A deep voice asked.

Michelle turned to find Nick leaning against the brick wall. “Not sure. She could be involved… or not. If she is, she’s one hell of an actor.”