Stolen with Style by Carina Axelsson Read Free Book Online Page A

placed our order and found an empty table near the front window. She asked in what sounded like a breezy, nonchalant way, but I knew her better than that. I knew where this was leading, but I was going to try to divert it—for Cazzie and Chic ’s sake, and for Ellie’s too. The last thing I wanted was for her to become inadvertently entangled in this case.
    â€œUmm…well, like you said, the city sure is fast paced…”
    Ellie rolled her eyes and sighed before fixing her gaze on me, eyes smiling. “You know what I’m talking about.”
    â€œI do?”
    Ellie leaned in close. “Hello? Axelle? It’s me, Ellie. Did you really think I’d believe that you’d fly all the way to New York just to model—like, real modeling? You must be here on a case.”
    I said nothing.
    â€œI mean, your mom could barely get you to go to the fashion shows in Paris before last week—and you only live a two-and-a-half-hour train ride away. So, New York? Honestly?”
    I knew how determined Ellie could be. She’d continue to needle me until I’d told her everything—or something, at any rate. On the other hand, I knew that she could keep a secret…and if anyone could give me good insider information on the suspects I was dealing with, that would be Ellie. But still, I didn’t want to put her—or her career—at any potential risk.
    So I decided on a compromise. I admitted to her that I was working on a case, but I didn’t go into any details about the Black Amelia or what exactly had happened. I only mentioned the group of suspects (at least the ones I knew about so far), where the crime had happened, and that something of value had been taken.
    Ellie let out a long, soft whistle as she leaned back in her chair and looked at me. “Wow. The people you’ve just mentioned all work in the upper echelons of fashion. I mean, the very top. You can’t climb higher up the fashion ladder. Rafaela, Chandra, Misty, Cazzie, and Peter—even Trish and Tom—are all big names who go to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, win awards at the CFDA gala, and have hundreds of thousands, if not millions of followers on Instagram.
    â€œThey’re all big-time. I’m only halfway to being where they are. And, by the way, don’t let Brandon’s status as a digi-tech guy fool you. Both his parents are famous fashionistas. His work for Peter has always been something of a hobby for him—a way to meet models, the rumors say.”
    She stopped for a moment as if remembering something. “The only one on that list who might still remember what it’s like to do something as mundane as grocery shopping is Chandra Rhodes. She’s known for being quite detached from the fashion world—despite being at its epicenter whenever she decides to agree to a shoot. Something, by the way, she supposedly only does so that she can maintain her sailboat and the enormous loft she has here in the city.”
    Ellie took a bite of her salad before continuing. “I know Misty wants to get into film, and Rafaela counts some of the biggest pop stars as friends. We work together during the shows, but otherwise they’re on a whole other level from me. They regularly appear on covers and have major contracts.
    â€œAs for Peter, I have started to work with him. He’s lots of fun and makes you look amazing. And Cazzie I know too. She’s been booking me more and more, which is great. I think she has a soft spot for fellow Londoners.” She paused for a few seconds before asking, “Do you have any leads?”
    â€œNo—far from it, at this point. And if there was any tangible evidence at the scene, it’s since been cleaned away, so all I’ll be able to go by are background research and a reconstruction of the minutes leading up to the crime. I thought this case was going to be so straightforward… Anyway, I can’t wait for the