Kill Shot by J. D. Faver Page B

abyss.
    Micki didn’t think she could climb out again.
    At the check out, Oz presented his credit card. She had hoped to contribute but when she reached for her purse, he flicked a glance at her that put an end to her intentions. She knew better than to argue. Things were easy between them, for the moment at least.
    Back at his apartment, they put away the food. As they worked alongside each other, she was aware that this felt way too comfortable. Micki prepared a dish her mom called spinach-artichoke linguini while Oz puttered around, picking up the apartment and setting the coffee table for their repast.
    She tossed a salad, glancing up to catch him gazing at her with an expression that caused a little flutter in her chest. Cool. Must remain cool . He struck a match, illuminating his features as he lit a candle. She felt a warm flush creep up from her chest.
    The savory aroma permeated the air. Oz was properly appreciative, raising the lid to sniff the concoction. He carried their plates to the coffee table.
    She sat on the carpet in front of its low surface, leaning back against the sofa. She noticed that he’d lit another candle. Way too romantic .
    Oz opened a bottle of white wine and poured it into a stemmed glass for her. “Try this.” He touched the glass to her lips encouragingly.
    She sipped the crisp wine and smiled her approval. “This is nice. I didn’t know you were into wines.”
    He chuckled. “I don’t know a lot about wine. I got a recommendation from a clerk at the liquor store.”
    They ate in companionable silence with occasional snippets of meaningless conversation. It was as though each was aware of the fragility of their relationship and neither wanted to complicate it. Maybe they were both treading water.
    She heaved a deep sigh. “What’s the connection between everything that’s happened the past two days? The trigger seems to have been my photo shoot in the park.”
    “Obviously someone really wanted the pictures.” Oz sipped wine thoughtfully. “And he thinks he succeeded. He’s got the memory card and both sets of proofs.”
    “Why would anyone want Zondra’s formal pictures? They’re only valuable to the bride and groom...and me, of course.”
    Oz looked somber. “Your camera must have captured something you didn’t notice at the time. We have to let the lab examine your flash drive to look for what might have been going on in the background. I’m thinking a crime was taking place and you recorded it.”
    “That sounds a little far-fetched. Wouldn’t someone have reported a crime?” Micki turned to face Oz.
    He shrugged. “Not necessarily. The victim may not be in any shape to report.”
    “Oh.” A chill swept over Micki as his meaning sank in.
    “The lab can check the flash drive out first thing tomorrow morning.”
    “I don’t think so,” she said quietly.
    Oz gave her a quizzical look.
    She felt her neck stiffen. “This is my livelihood we’re talking about. I’m not turning this flash drive over to your powder scattering goons.”
    “Babe, you have to.”
    “No, I don’t. Your lab may have wrecked my cameras. I’m really pissed about that. It’s costing me a lot to have them professionally cleaned. Even then, I’ll have to shoot some pictures to see if Gus got all the dust out of the camera bodies.”
    “Micki, I understand how you feel, but we have to have immediate access to whatever’s on that flash drive.”
    She scrambled to her feet, feeling at a disadvantage sitting so close to Oz. She paced a few steps and whirled around. “Oz, you and I are the only ones who know that the thief didn’t get all the copies of the shoot. I’m asking you to let me conduct my business in my own way. I have to pay my rent and worry about getting a new ride. The photo files are in my computer and that’s in your so-called lab if some enthusiastic geeks haven’t filled it full of fingerprint dust.” She was aware that her voice had become a little shrill by the