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lead.”
    ~*~
    “We’d like to speak to Jake Mitchell.” Colin leaned toward the pretty young receptionist behind the counter at the upscale Serenity Health Club.
    “Do you have an appointment?” she asked with a smile. She was toned and tanned with sparkling white teeth and sleek black hair.
    “I’ve got this.” Colin flashed his gold badge. “Paradise Valley Police. Is Mr. Mitchell here?”
    “Yes, but he’s with a client. If you have a seat over there,” she gestured toward a minimalist Scandinavian sofa against the wall, “I’ll let you know when he’s done.”
    Emily stepped up beside Colin and laid an arm on the counter. “I’m sorry, Miss…”
    “Mandy. My name is Mandy.”
    “Yes, I’m sure it is.” Emily quirked an eyebrow as she eyed the young beauty. “You must have missed the part about us being with the police department. We need to speak with Mr. Mitchell. Now.”
    “I heard you, but that’s not possible. Once he begins a private lesson, he’s not to be disturbed for any reason, except an emergency, of course. Sorry, it’s company policy.”
    “Mandy, listen, you seem like a nice girl, but we’re not playing games here,” Emily said. “Shall we arrest you for obstructing our investigation?”
    Surprise flashed in the girl’s dark eyes.
    “Now, which room is he in?” Emily demanded.
    Mandy rolled her eyes and released an exasperated sigh, then looked down at a schedule on the desk. “You’re going to get me in trouble.” She ran her finger down the spreadsheet. “Looks like he’s in the Pilates room with Mrs. Abromeit.”
    “Which way?” Emily asked.
    “It’s down that way.” Mandy pointed to the hallway to the right. “But you can’t just bust in there.”
    Emily and Colin turned and headed toward the hall. “Don’t worry,” Emily said over her shoulder, “we’ll knock first.”
    When they reached the door marked Pilates , Colin knocked lightly before opening it.
    “Hey, guys. This room is already taken,” the trainer said, holding a woman’s legs in an awkward position as she worked to pull her upper body up to them.
    She was dressed in lavender workout leotards with a matching sweat band, on which she was sweating profusely. She darted a glance toward the door as Colin and Emily stepped in.
    “Jake Mitchell?” Emily asked.
    “Yes,” he replied, not taking his eyes off the woman as he counted her reps.
    Jake appeared to be in his early thirties, good-looking in a rugged sort of way, with deep brown hair and soft brown eyes. Not as tall as Colin, maybe six one or two, and his snugly-fitted black T-shirt accentuated his well-built physique.
    “Paradise Valley Police,” Colin announced. “We need to speak with you.”
    “About what?” Jake continued to work with the woman in lavender.
    “Not in front of your client,” Colin said.
    “Sure, just give me a minute.” Jake helped the woman up off the mat and walked her to the door. “Sorry we need to cut this session short, Mrs. Abromeit,” he said to the woman as he walked her out the door. In the next moment, he took off, jetting down the hallway.
    “He’s running!” Emily yelled.
    Colin was first through the door, chasing him down the hallway.
    “I’ll get the car,” Emily hollered, rushing in the opposite direction.
    Colin pursued Jake through a maze of doors and rooms, jumping over chairs and equipment that Jake pulled down into Colin’s path, managing to keep just out of reach. Jake burst through the door of the supply room, racing toward the open roll-up door at the other end. Colin charged after him, finally blasting through the loading door, out into the sunlight. He didn’t let up, staying hot on Jake’s heels.
    ~*~
    Emily raced the car around the corner just as Colin was about the tackle the man. She squealed to a stop in front of Jake, sending him bouncing off the front fender. Colin grabbed him by his shirt and yanked him to his feet, pinning him against the car door with his