I looked at Ray. His face was stoic, but his eyes showed fear. His gaze locked onto mine.
“I have pictures here that prove my point.” Jinx repositioned herself behind the laptop. She inserted a flash drive into it, clicked the mouse a few times and projected an image onto the wall behind the dais. For a moment, you could’ve heard a pin drop.
Then, the room exploded in laughter.
Jinx turned and looked at the wall. “No!”
It was a huge photo of her on the toilet.
Jinx shut off the computer, scooped everything up and stalked out without a word.
Jamila and I doubled over. Ray laughed harder than anyone else at the head table. He wiped his eyes, looked at me and smiled. I turned away.
“Well,” I said. “That was … interesting.”
Jamila shook her head. “I’m … lost for words. Anyhow, where were we?”
“Would you excuse me a moment?”
I got up and stumbled through the tables toward the rest rooms. Jinx’s stunt had ground proceedings to a halt. The room resonated with talk and laughter, making me even more disoriented. The wine wasn’t helping matters. I pulled out my cell phone and punched in a number.
/> “Yes,” he answered.
“Nice work,” I said.
“Thanks. It was no big trick. I just followed her from that dive where you met to her motel. While she was out, I planted a hidden camera and got the photo. I had plenty of time to figure out where she stored the photos of you, too. She left her room for several hours so the maid could clean it today. I was able to make the switch before the banquet with no problem. Now, will you honor your word and keep my name out of it?”
“Yes, Ellis. I can call you that, can’t I? We are friends now, aren’t we?”
“Sure,” Conroy said.
“You make it sound so depressing. I’m really nice, once you get to know me.” I hung up.
I took a few moments to use the facilities, then managed to find my table again. Jamila looked at me with concern.
“I was beginning to wonder if you’d fallen in.” She placed her hand on my arm again. “Okay, before we were so rudely interrupted, I asked if there’s anything wrong?”
I looked at my friend. “It’s nothing. Really.”
* * * * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debbi Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae mystery series and other novels. She’s also had several short stories published in various anthologies and been nominated for a Derringer Award.
Debbi is also a screenwriter and podcaster who hosts the Crime Cafe podcast, where she interviews crime, suspense, and thriller authors twice a month.
A former attorney, Debbi has also worked as a journalist, reference librarian, and freelance writer/researcher. Along with writing mysteries, Debbi is currently working on a new trilogy of crime novellas and other projects.
www.debbimack.com
Thank you for choosing to buy this book. If you enjoyed it, I hope you’ll do me the favor of leaving a short review on your favorite book retailer’s site. Nothing makes an author’s day like knowing they’ve made a reader happy.
I also hope you’ll consider trying another one of my books. I’ve listed them below.
The Sam McRae Mystery Series
Identity Crisis