In the Middle of Love's Crime *BWWM Mystery Romance Thriller by ReNita A. Burgess

striped jacket. Her hair was tied with a scarf and she was ready for the run. This time she would be better than before, better than when she ran with Simona.
    “Stop rushing me, Jamika. I’m tying my shoe laces, safety first.” Kristen looked up at her as she tightened her laces.
    Jamika chuckled. “Wow, I guess blondes actually are smart.”
    “Whatever. You’re just trying to intimidate me incase I’m faster than you.” Kristen said as she dusted her sweats.
    She did a few stretches and tossed her two braided pigtails over her shoulders.
    “We’ll see who’s faster.” Jamika jogged in place, warming up her body and inhaling the autumn air. “Are you ready?”
    Kristen looked ahead of the trail and took off before Jamika had chance to give a signal.
    “No fair, you hooker!” Jamika gasped.
    They both ran past the beautiful evergreen trees and by the empty playground. Kristen noticed that Jamika was stepping up her game and trying to get ahead. She laughed as she forced more speed to her legs.
    Being a lover of nature, Kristen had to stop to take her phone out her back pocket. She didn’t care anymore if Jamika was about to run by her.
    Kristen held the phone’s camera into a focused position and snapped a few photos of the scenery. What was even beautiful was seeing the mother duck walk with her of baby ducks in a row. She smiled as if she were greeting them. Kristen loved animals, she was a member of the Animal Society.
    “Girl, what are you doing? Oh, so you’re a photographer all of a sudden?” Jamika asked, winded with short breath. She rested both her hands on her knees and breathed like she had the last bit of air in her body.
    Kristen snapped the photos and took a selfie, the wind blew her blond bangs. She reviewed the photos excitedly and shared them on social media.
    “You know I’m a sightseeing individual.” Kristen said.
    Jamika nodded her head and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, girl, I know. Which explains why you and Simona get along the most. She loves all that nature-hippie crap.”
    Kristen stretched her eyes at the sound of Simona’s name. “Speaking of Simona, have you had a chance to speak with her?”
    “Umm no. I tried calling her and I went by her apartment, but I think she’s avoiding me. I don’t give a damn anymore. Pregnant people will change up on you in a heartbeat.” Jamika looked at her stopwatch. “We aced that mile in ten minutes and thirty seconds pronto. You cheated ahead of me so you ‘gets no’ recognition from me.”
    Kristen laughed and placed an arm around Jamika’s shoulder as they walked back towards their cars. It was starting to get dark and the chilly temperature was dropping even more.
    “Just give Simona a little time. You really crushed her at the wrong time, Mika. She’s going through a lot right now.” Kristen explained. “And she would have wiped us out in this run in less than five minutes, I am sure of that.”
    “Yeah, I can understand. I don’t know what I was thinking. You know how I am always kidding around.” Jamika sighed, looking up at the clouds disappearing with the darkness.
    “It’s okay. We all say silly things without thinking. Sometimes we don’t mean them.” Kristen told her.
    There was some rustling in the trees, it sounded like footsteps. They had no idea that they were being watched. Usually the park lights would automatically come on at night, but the area was dark.
    Jamika tugged on to her jacket. “Oooh, girl. I need to go use the restroom. All that running and drinking plenty of water afterwards is starting to pay off.”
    Kristen looked concerned. “Do you need me to wait here or walk with you? The restroom area is further back towards the playground area.”
    “Girl, stop being stubborn and just go sit in your car. It’s chilly out here. I’m going to jog to the restroom. Hell, I may even burn a few more calories.” Jamika reassured her.
    Shrugging her shoulders and walking ahead, Kristen went towards the