Read Designed to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery) for Free Online

stopping at Belinda Watson’s section. I turned the magazine face out, flashing the pictures to Ted like we are at a story time hour in the library.
    He squinted and looked at the photos. “What am I missing? I’m not an expert.”
    I sort of was and still didn’t know what Darlene meant.
    “Give me that.” Darlene snatched the magazine from my hand and rested a manicured nail on top of the layout. “This design. It’s mine. Belinda submitted my work under her name.”
    Women inched forward. Eager ears and even more eager mouths waited. I swore a few rubbed their hands together in glee.
    “You’re a liar.” Hazel started toward Darlene. She stopped and screeched, swatting at Wayne who knelt at her feet, one hand on her ankle and the other on her high heel. “Stop fondling me!”
    Wayne pressed his lips together and tugged Hazel’s leg up, tilting the woman to the side. I reached out to steady her before she fell to the ground in an inelegant and unladylike heap.
    Gussie blanched and covered her face with her hands.
    Karen scribbled furiously into her notebook. The photographer disappeared somewhere, probably back to the news station to start going through pictures of the brawl.
    “I have proof.” Darlene crossed her arms and tilted her chin up.
    “Wayne, what are you doing?” Ted’s expression was a mix between revulsion and confusion.
    “He’s assaulting me!” Hazel hit Wayne again.
    Wayne was unfazed. “Now, ma’am. I’m just following orders. Detective said to get anything that was a weapon. Now, I’ve been kicked by shoes like these. They sure do hurt.”
    Wyatt nodded in defense of his older brother. “Me too. Like heck.”
    Ted rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry about the shoes.”
    Wayne shrugged. “Okay, Detective, it’s your investigation but don’t say we didn’t try to help.” 
    “I’ll take my chances.” Ted centered a look on me and kept it there.
    I squirmed under his gaze. What did I do now? I was being helpful. Matter-of-fact, I put myself in the way of harm to stop Darlene from committing a crime. Ted continued staring at me.
    I had enough. “What?”
    “Why are you sparkling?”
    I glanced at my arms. Gold, green and red glitter clung to my skin and clothes. I shook my head and a rainfall of sparkling dust floated around me. “The top wasn’t on when Belinda clobbered me with the glitter.”
    “Why did Belinda go after you?” Ted scribbled something in his notebook.
    Was that suspicion in his eyes? I refused to allow my imagination and conspiracy notions to run away with me. Again. “She meant to nail Darlene with it but her aim sucks.”
    Ted turned to Belinda.
    The woman blanched. “Mom!”
    “Faith! That language.” Hope glared at me.
    Hazel, still wearing heels, ran over to her thirty-five year old daughter and took her in her arms. “How dare you bully my child? She’s the victim here. That horrible woman attacked her.”
    “I retrieved what she stole from me.” Darlene wore the coveted Diva necklace.
    Tears streamed down Belinda’s face. “That’s my necklace. It was sent to me. I’m a Life Artist Diva. Not you.”
    Ted held out his hand, palm up and then curled his fingers up and back down. “Give it up.”
    “No.” Darlene pressed her hand to her throat, protecting the symbol of divahood.
    “I have a jail cell I can house you in,” Ted said. “I might have to keep you there overnight. It will take a long time to interview every single woman in this room.”
    Apparently, Darlene believed the words were a promise and not a threat because she handed the necklace over. “The toggle is still intact so I didn’t rip it from her neck. She wasn’t hurt. I took it off. Nicely. Admirable of me, considering…”
    “Yes.” Ted’s voice was still in neutral. “I’m sure that’s your recollection of the incident.”
    Jasper walked over, exasperation clear on his face. “Detective, I’m not getting anywhere. Every woman has a different story on