Magic Rising Read Free Page A

a gun.
    Deirdre changed positions, taking the woman’s left hand and forcing the gun up toward the ceiling. A shot rang out, flying somewhere into the ceiling and causing the crowd to hush before a panic of bodies pushed out from the center of the room. Silence turned to screams that surrounded them while the very masculine black woman fought to bring her gun under control.
    Moving swiftly, Deirdre kept the gun raised while swinging one elbow across the target’s face. A brown wig flew off the woman’s head and hit the floor. Deirdre knew she’d found her man. He easily outweighed her by a hundred pounds. Bringing one leg against the back of his calf and applying pressure, the target went to the floor, landing hard on his back. By the time the man’s dark brown eyes met hers; Deirdre had his gun and was holding it against his head.
    “Police en route.” She heard Tech advise her through her earpiece. “We have full video.”
    The man beneath her started to struggle. “You don’t understand. That woman has to die. My daughter’s life depends on it.”
    Deirdre had heard many lies from madmen. Each suspect was convinced of the truth of some fantastical story. Not once had she ever believed their tales and usually belted them across the face for talking to her. This time, she froze. The man’s eyes were glassy pools of regret and desperation. The emotion pulled at her and she studied his tormented expression as he continued to speak.
    “Please,” he begged. “She’ll cause my daughter to die.”
    “How?”
    Sabrine and Mark were on him, leaving their respective posts while the other employees edged away, keeping their anonymity for future jobs. Deirdre climbed off the man and the two agents rolled him onto his stomach, handcuffing the target for the cops to haul away to jail. It was a standard routine that her people followed to the letter. Still, as they took him to a side hall and the designated holding area, Deirdre knew something in his words was true. She couldn’t say anything though. She trained her people to do their job, ignore the ramblings of criminals, and never feel pity. By the same respect, she led by example. Her questions would wait for another time.
    The target disappeared down the hall and Deirdre went to Tamara Haas who was being fanned by her latest suitor. A few party guests crept back in, staying in clusters at the edge of the door, curiosity kept them from leaving, but fear held them away from the main floor.
    “Are you okay, Ms. Haas?” Deirdre looked the woman over, noticing that her eyes appeared glassy and her bottom lip trembled.
    “Yes. A bit stunned-up but fine. Thank you.”
    “Good.” The timing was bad but Deirdre couldn’t resist. The target had said some things that correlated directly with the actress. “What’s your relationship to the gentleman who attempted the attack?”
    “Nothing.” Tamara Haas touched her mouth, before crossing her arms over her chest as if caught in a terrible draft. Her body language spoke volumes.
    Deirdre hated when people lied to her. Anger swelled in her bosom. Unlike the A-listers, Deirdre didn’t give a rat’s ass who Tamara Haas was or what connections she had. Her only concern was a case that felt off.
    “Don’t lie to me, ma’am. He claims that you have a connection to his daughter. He’s going to tell the cops the same story, and if I know the guys at that police station, the rumor will be in the papers by morning.”
    “I don’t know anything about him or his family. You shouldn’t listen to the stories of the insane.”
    “I probably shouldn’t.” She paused, watching the actress fidget uncomfortably. “I’ll send you my bill.”
    Deirdre turned to the hallway where the target had been taken. It was a desolate space, primarily used for storage and filing. The staff at Cotters had opened up this section for any detainees and given her the biggest room on the hall for any work. It had a few fold-out chairs and one