Saranya Chapter #2
The story was true. It had only happened once, but Dad had read him the riot act over it.
Jordan swore it would never happen again.
His excuse was that his ADHD meds weren’t working as well, and he forgot stuff.
Then, he turned off the phone because he wasn’t on call and it was the last case of the day.
They utilized an after-hours service for emergency care.
Otherwise, they’d never get a day off. I used the same one in my practice.
“And when he still didn’t call you back the next day, you waited?” the detective asked in disbelief.
“I wasn’t convinced there was a need for alarm.
I called and spoke with the lead veterinary technician, Vickie.
I asked whether Jordan had returned to the clinic the previous day and if she knew why he hadn’t shown up for the consult or why he wasn’t answering my calls.
Vickie said she had no idea what I was talking about.
According to Vickie, Jordan informed the office that he was heading home for the day, as the last few people had canceled their appointments.
They were to go home early. Jordan told them he would have the on-call services pick up early.
“The office was closed the next day because Jordan was to attend a conference, and with Dad gone, there was no veterinarian to cover it, so they decided to close it. It rarely happens, and regular customers were notified several weeks in advance. It wasn’t until Monday, when Dad was back at work, and Jordan didn’t show, that concerns grew.
It was my dad who called the police to do a welfare check on him when he didn’t answer repeated calls, and even knocking and ringing at his home. ”
I knew my dad and Vickie would corroborate all of this.
As for my staff, since we never informed them where we were going that day, they had no idea it was to assist Jordan.
I was hoping I said enough to keep them from questioning my staff or grilling Owen.
I was scared he wouldn’t stand up under pressure.
As the detective scribbled notes, we patiently waited. Finally, he looked back up at me. There was speculation in his gaze.
“Tell me, Ms. Coleman, how well did you know Dr. Neely?”
I sat forward. “First, may I request that if you refer to my dad and Jordan as doctor, you pay me the same courtesy. It smacks of bias when you don’t. I would hope that’s not the case. My sex doesn’t change my profession or the way to show respect.”
Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut, but his deliberate downgrading of my title pissed me off. I caught Officer Merritt’s lips twitching like he was trying not to laugh. The way Detective Montgomery’s mouth tightened, he wasn’t happy.
“Forgive me, Dr. Coleman, I meant no disrespect. Again, how well did you know Dr. Neely, Dr. Coleman?”
“Thank you. As for how well, I met him two years ago when he began working at Dad’s clinic.
Over those two years, we’ve met at least a dozen times, but it was casually, such as when he was at a party my parents held, or if I went to Dad’s office for some reason.
Not long ago, he did me a favor and covered my clinic for a couple of days.
Then he stopped in one night at my parents’ house when Cowboy and I were there having dinner with them.
We were always cordial, as evidenced by lending a helping hand. ”
“I need to ask you a question, and I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but I need you to answer me truthfully,” the detective paused after saying that.
“Of course. Go ahead.”
“Were you and Dr. Neely ever sexually involved in the past or even now?” His eyes shifted to Cowboy’s. He was waiting for a reaction from him. My man gave him a bland look.
“If you’re trying to insinuate that Saranya or I had anything to do with his disappearance or you wanted to shock me, it’s not happening. My woman is faithful and would’ve told me if she and he had been more than acquaintances. We don’t hide shit from each other. That kills a relationship.”
“I need Dr. Coleman to answer the question,” Montgomery stated.
“No, Jordan and I have never dated, had sex, or even flirted with each other. As I said, I knew him through my dad.”
“How long have the two of you been together?” Montgomery fired off next.
“Two months, though it does feel much longer than that,” I answered.
“And there were no harsh words exchanged between you and Dr. Neely. Could he have misunderstood you and thought there was more there than there was?” The detective asked next.
“This is beginning to sound more like an interrogation rather than asking us a few questions to help find Jordan. Are you thinking he’s dead? Has a body been discovered?” Cowboy asked—his inflection mixed irritation and disbelief. I made sure my expression reflected disbelief and concern.
“God, Cowboy, if something happened to Jordan, Dad will be devastated. He liked him so much,” I murmured.
“If you have nothing to hide, Mr. Brashears, why not answer the questions?” Montgomery countered.
Before Cowboy or I could respond, Diablo came striding toward the house. He wasn’t alone. There was a woman with him. She was dressed in a power suit. It was one of those that screamed authority without disguising that she was female. As they drew closer, I found her beauty hard to ignore.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you should be, based on your present company, Cowboy. I have someone here who you should have present,” Diablo said, pleasantly.
Taking the woman’s hand, he led her up the stairs.
It was gentlemanly to do so when a woman wore high heels.
She smiled at him when they reached the top.
“Thank you so much, Diablo. Hello everyone, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jewel Devlin.
I’m the Horsemen of Wrath’s new attorney.
I apologize that this is our first chance to meet, Cowboy, Dr. Coleman.
I only recently took over the club as a client.
Your former attorney, Mr. David Locke, is in the process of retiring.
Officers, did you advise them that they should have legal counsel present while being questioned?
” Her pleasantness when introducing herself gave way to a light reprimand when she addressed the officers.
Cowboy rose and shook her hand when she introduced herself. I smiled and nodded since I was further away.
“Please, have a seat. May I get you anything to drink, Ms. Devlin? Diablo?” Cowboy asked, showing off the manners his parents taught him.
“No, thank you to the drink, but maybe later if this drags on. And please, call me Jewel,” she said.
“No, thanks, Cowboy. I’m not staying. Just wanted to bring Jewel to you. We’ll talk later. Let me know if you need anything else,” Diablo stated, then, after a nod, he strolled off.
“Now, bring me up to date on what has been asked and what you have shared,” Jewel jumped straight in.
Cowboy and I gave a recap while the officers listened.
Montgomery tried to interject, but Jewel firmly asked him to wait until we were finished before adding his input.
His face flushed red. Officer Merritt sat back, relaxed and still with twitching lips.
When we were through, Jewel pointed to Montgomery.
“Did they forget anything?”
“No,” he said almost peevishly.
“Okay, then this is what we’ll do. You can answer a few of my questions.
Then, I’ll meet with my clients. If you have more questions, we’ll do those at the precinct at a later date.
And before you say, if they’re innocent, why use me, let me answer why.
You and I both know how things can be twisted, and innocent people are sometimes accused and convicted of crimes they never committed.
I’m not saying you’d do that, but it’s better to be cautious,” she informed them nicely, but with steel in her tone. I was already liking her.
Neither man said anything for almost a full minute. Merritt was watching Montgomery since he was leading the visit. Finally, the detective spoke.
“What do you want to ask me?”
“Has there been something that has been discovered that makes this more than a missing person case? Is there any indication that Dr. Neely has been harmed or murdered? And if so, why the line of questioning you’ve made here?”
“I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation,” he pompously announced.
“Then we’re done here. This is my card. May I have yours? I’ll be in touch to arrange a day and time for these two to speak with you again. Naturally, I’ll be with them. That’s non-negotiable.”
The tension was high as the men handed out their cards, murmured a few words to us, and then excused themselves. The entire time they were here, Boden had remained in the SUV, waiting. He got out as Cowboy walked them to the vehicle. He spoke to Boden. I turned to Jewel.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. When we agreed to see them, I had no idea they’d go in such a direction. Thank God, you came. How did you know?”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, too. Diablo called David, and he dispatched me.
I’ve been meaning to meet with the club so they can get to know me since I’m taking over as their attorney.
Not the way I wanted to drop in, but I’m happy I got here.
No matter what the cops do, you should always request a lawyer be present before speaking with them.
I’m not saying this to scare you. It’s so that you’ll be aware. ”
“I feel stupid. All those crime shows I love say that, too. I won’t forget.”
By then, Cowboy rejoined us. Boden was driving away with the two cops.
“Jewel, if you would, let’s go inside where we can be more comfortable, and you can talk with us. I assume you have time now?”
“I do have time, and I’d love that. I think I’ll take you up on your offer of something to drink, too, if you don’t mind.”
“We don’t mind at all. Please, come inside,” I informed her as I stood.
Together, the three of us entered the house. I wondered what she’d ask us. My fear that what happened to Jordan would be discovered made the knot in my stomach tighten, but I kept battling myself to present a calm exterior. Cowboy’s hand on my back was comforting. He squeezed my side.