Chapter 28
I’ve never been questioned for murder before. I’m trying hard to remain focused, but I’m distracted by everything in the interrogation room. The stainless-steel table and matching chairs, the two-way window. Even the lighting choice captivates me. Every last detail serves a purpose in getting the bad guy to confess. And this time the bad guy is me! Wait, no, I’m innocent.
I know I shouldn’t be excited about this, but heaven help me, I am.
It’s wrong though. Who finds this kind of thing exciting? Especially when someone I once loved is dead.
Caleb turns his body, angling himself between me and the window.
“You should stop smiling. It’s making you look suspicious.”
My hands fly to my face. “I can’t. I know it’s morbid. And it was Justin! My former fiancé! What’s wrong with me?”
He squeezes my shoulder. “I think you’re in shock.”
Shock. Yes. That’s what this is. I’m not a psychopath.
Which is good to know because I work with a lot of dangerous equipment and chemicals and could do some serious damage if I wanted to. Okay…maybe my intrusive thoughts are a bit psychotic.
I latch onto Caleb’s wrist, holding him tight. “What are they going to ask me?”
“If you killed him.” Caleb looks over, smirking momentarily before schooling his expression. “So don’t smile.”
“Got it.” I force a frown, but it’s unnatural. I’m a happy person. But how can I be happy when Justin died? I certainly wasn’t happy when I found him or when I threw up on him. But now I’m a kid in a candy store. It doesn’t make any sense. And I’m so tired. Maybe when I wake up tomorrow morning I’ll realize this was all a bad dream.
“Why can’t you take over the investigation?” I ask him.
“This is their jurisdiction. I have to let them take the lead until I have a concrete connection to the case I’m working.” He sets his jaw like he wants to do more but his hands are tied.
My knee bounces under the table as I gather the nerve to ask him what I’ve been wanting to ask for hours: if he believes I’m innocent. I know where the detective stands, and Caleb’s partner Serena made her opinion clear. But against my better judgment-scratch that, I literally have one kind of judgment handy and it’s adequate at best-I’m falling for this man and I need to know if he believes me.
I open my mouth, but my jaw only moves up and down, not making a single sound.
“Where’s my sister being held? I need to speak with her.” The very familiar voice booms through the open door of the room Caleb and I are currently occupying.
I’d specifically called Maddie, not my brother.
Detective Shumway said I didn’t need legal counsel, but I’ve seen enough detective shows to know not to trust that line.
I turn to Caleb. “We don’t have much time and I need to warn you about my brother. He’s really insecure without facial hair so compliment him on his manliness. Also, he prefers to be called Connie.”
Caleb scowls. “I’m not complimenting him on his—”
“Millie? Millie!” Connor’s hysterical voice parrots through the police station until he reaches us in the interrogation room. “Amelia!” He sags with relief when he makes eye contact with me. “Oh, thank heavens, you’re alright. What in the world happened?”
“You must be her brother, Connie?” Caleb interjects, offering a hand over the metal table.
Connor stares at it and him like he’s half alien. Then turns his glare on me. “Really, Millie? This is not the time for childish games.”
Caleb’s body goes rigid.
“Mom always said you can turn any situation around if you find a reason to laugh.”
“Not murder,” Connor hisses. He scrubs a hand over his face like he”s trying to massage away the permanent stress I cause him, and then he finally returns Caleb’s handshake. “I’m Connor. And you are?”
Caleb clears his throat, and I look over at him curiously. How is he going to play this? Introduce himself as my friend? More than a friend?
“I’m Special Agent Harris.”
Or he could always go with his job title. Fair. I did throw him under the bus.
“Special Agent?” Connor’s eyes bounce between the two of us and he lowers his voice. “Millie, what are you involved in?”
“Not nearly as much as I’d like to be.” How much to tell him? I mean technically he’s my legal counsel so I should tell him everything, but he’s also my brother. “Where’s Maddie?”
“Here!” Maddie slides into the room. “Connor made me park the car.” She glares at him before looking over at Caleb and me. Her eyes bug out of her head like a cartoon character. “Caleb!” She rounds our side of the table. Caleb stands and catches her in a hug.
“Hey, Mads.”
“Mads?” Connor growls at their interaction.
Maddie pulls back from his embrace. “Millie, this is the guy I was trying to set you up with earlier tonight. But he bailed.”
Was that seriously tonight? So much has happened in the last few hours that it feels like a week has passed since my dinner at Connor’s house.
“Yeah, about that,” Caleb says, “something came up with work.” He scratches the back of his neck and returns to his seat by me. His shoulder brushes mine and I cling to the tiny bit of comfort in this awkward situation.
It takes a moment for Maddie’s words to settle in. The agent I thought she was teasing about was real? It”s absurd to think I could have met Caleb without all the drama and danger from the last three weeks. But it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun.
“That’s who you were setting up with my sister?” Connor hisses.
“How do you all know each other?” Caleb asks.
Maddie grins and holds up her diamond ring. “I’m engaged to Amelia’s brother.” She squeezes Connor’s arm like he has something there besides skin and bone. Wait until she sees Caleb shirtless. Maybe she already has if they are friends. As long as they were never more than friends.
“Hey, Maddie.” I cut off her gushing. “Can I talk to you for a moment, alone?”
Her brows furrow but she stands up anyway, following me into the hall. I can’t actually leave; the detective was really grumpy about it.
“Millie, be honest, did you kill Justin?” She speaks first.
“Of course not.” I roll my eyes, then add a little I’m-completely-innocent-wave to the sweet old lady at the reception desk near us. “You know I would have called you to help me bury the body instead of leaving him in my tub.”
She nods. “Okay, good. Right. But, um, please don’t kill anyone.”
“I was doing good until an hour ago.” I cringe.
She shakes her head and her eyes fill with the worry of a parent, a friend. “Seriously, what’s going on, Millie?”
“I don’t know.” I play with the hem of my shirt, pulling at a loose thread. It comes undone, completely destroying what was once a perfectly made shirt. Funny how one little act can alter something so drastically. Did the person who killed Justin even consider what they were doing? “I was hoping maybe you could tell me how much trouble I might be facing.”
“If you’re innocent, you have nothing to worry about,” she says, almost too quickly, rubbing my arm.
“And if I’m not?” I ask, my lips quivering. “I mean, clearly I am, but you know, what if they don’t think I am?”
She chews on her bottom lip. “Well, if I had to extrapolate—”
“Whoa, watch your mouth, woman!”
She rolls her eyes. “It means to predict.”
“Yes, but with an excessive amount of syllables, all of which were unnecessary.” I tease, my chest instantly feeling lighter.
Maddie rolls her eyes and leans in to give me a hug which I desperately need right now. “You’re going to be fine. We are going to make sure of it.”
Right. Nothing to worry about. “Thanks.” I pull back. “Um, so how do you know Caleb…”
She holds up a hand. “No, we never dated. And need I remind you, I’m engaged to your brother.”
“You poor soul. Good thing you inherit me as well.”
The detective brushes past us into the interrogation room. “Sorry to break up the family reunion, but I need to ask a few more questions.”
Maddie and I return to the room and take a seat around the table. Caleb is on my left, and the detective is at the head of the table closest to me with Connor directly in front of me on the other side. I feel surprisingly safe. I peek a glance at the grumpy detective. Mostly safe.
Connor reaches across the table and takes my hand. “Millie, you don’t have to answer anything.”
The detective glares at him. “You’ve already confirmed her alibi and we have the video footage of her leaving and returning. She’s not a suspect and this isn’t an interrogation, yet.” His eyes whip to mine with a promise that I haven’t fully escaped unscathed.
“Good.” Connor leans back. “Then what do you need from my client?”
The detective all but rolls his eyes and pulls out a laptop. “We got the surveillance videos back from your apartment manager. They are spotty at best, only registering those who pass through the front entrance. There are no cameras in the halls and the back entrance. The back is only supposed to be accessible to those who live in the building.” He looks at me with a raised brow. “Which is why you are not to leave the city.”
“I won’t,” I squeak. I’m worried my smile is going to pop back up again. The detective is discussing a real live case with me. He needs my help. This is too exciting.
Caleb reaches under the table and places a hand on my knee, a gentle reminder not to act like a heartless killer, which I appreciate. I bite my lip to keep my face from going rogue. Time to be serious.
“Anyway,” the detective continues. “According to the time stamp you left at nine this morning. You came back and got the dogs at two. Surveillance shows the deceased arriving around six in the evening. Do you know why he was there?”
For the first time today, I feel as guilty as I look. In all the chaos of the evening, I forgot one little detail. “He showed up to my work today,” I say hesitantly.
“And?”
“He wanted to come over later. He was convinced I still had something of his. But I told him no. Then he left.”
“He just left? There was no altercation between the two of you?” the detective asks, doubt lacing his voice.
I swallow. “We had words. And then he asked me to slap him.”
“Millie!” Connor shouts, but I’m too ashamed to look at him. I know, it doesn’t look good for me.
“He asked you to slap him?” The detective draws out each of his words, his brows furrowing to an intimidating line.
I squirm in my seat. So this is how they get people to talk. Impressive.
“Okay,” I say, summoning my best internal A-list actress to sell my innocence since my natural reactions thus far have painted me as one hundred percent guilty. “This is how it went down. He came in and started yelling at me. He was scaring me. And then he said, and I quote, ‘I put up with you for two years, the least you can do is give me something.’ Now I ask you, Detective…”
Connor groans, clearly not impressed by how much I picked up on while watching him prep for court cases.
“What do you think Justin deserved?” I finish my statement, conceding the floor to him.
The detective rubs his chin thoughtfully but doesn’t say a word. I can practically hear the thoughts of everyone else in the room though. Connor wants me to shut my mouth, but I’m only doing what the detective wants and telling the truth. Maddie is silently applauding me for standing up for myself, why thank you, I’m learning. And Caleb, well, his thoughts are harder to read, but with his clenched fists under the table, and the anger rolling off of him in waves, I think he’s wishing he could bring Justin back to life so he can hit him again. He’s so hot when he’s protective.
“Can anyone corroborate this...story?” The detective finally asks.
“The whole salon,” I say at the same time Caleb says, “I can.”
I whirl on him, but he avoids my gaze like an expert…avoider?
“I was outside the salon. I didn’t hear the discussion but saw her tell him to leave.”
“You were following me?” I hiss.
“You were following her?” everyone else in the room repeats.
“Why?” I ask.
Caleb clears his throat. “That information is classified.”
The detective raises his brows high with suspicion. “And you say you saw her tell him to leave?”
“I can read lips.” Caleb shifts in his seat.
The detective grunts and moves on. But my brain is far from “moved on.” Why was Caleb following me? Though I circle quickly back to the fact that he can read lips. Is that true, or is it only my lips that entice him?
“Miss Quinn?” the detective says, and I realize with a start that he’s asked me something and everyone in the room is waiting for the answer.
I swallow. “Repeat the question.”
“What was Justin looking for?” the detective asks slowly, enunciating every word and syllable.
I take a deep breath. “He wanted the engagement ring he gave me.”
“Did he say why he needed it?”
I clear my throat and tell him what Justin told me. “He said he was in trouble at work. He was probably hoping to pawn it for a couple of bucks.”
The detective jots this down and out of the corner of my eye, I see Caleb taking notes on his phone as well.
“We’ve compiled a list of residents and some photos of other guests who don’t live there. If you could take a look and see if you recognize any?” the detective says.
I skim through the list, but nothing jumps out at me. Then he pulls up security footage on his tablet and begins swiping through a bunch of pictures. There’s Gary taking his dead potted plant out to the dumpster, and it looks like the ones my dogs pee in all the time. I owe him some new flowers. But he’s the only person I recognize. Maybe the lady from the second floor with the two kids who take nightly laps through the halls and bang on every door with sticks. I’m assuming that’s what they do; there’s no other explanation for the noise. There’s a woman who looks vaguely familiar, but she’s got her head down and I can’t make out much except her platinum-blonde hair poking out from beneath a ball cap. She’s back out the front entrance five minutes later.
“Sorry,” I say after the last one. “I’ve only lived there for a month. Everyone is still a mystery to me.”
The detective slams the laptop closed. “That would have been too easy.” He sighs and scratches his jaw. “Why do you think Justin was at your apartment?”
I thought I already answered this. “He wanted his ring. I told him not to come, then he threatened me. I was worried. And I didn’t want to hear his pleas to get back together one more time.”
The detective leans forward, eyes lighting up with a question. “You said you used to be engaged, what happened?”
“Don’t answer that,” Connor interrupts. “I need a moment with my client.”
“No, it’s fine,” I say and glance at Caleb. His expression is unreadable and I’m not sure if sharing this information will be fine or not. “He cheated on me.”
“Millie!” Connor slaps the metal table.
The detective shifts uncomfortably. I know the feeling. My lawyer is dramatic.
“Cheated on you? And you were angry?” the detective asks, an accusatory tone to his voice.
“Of course. I wanted to kill him.”
Oops. Heard it.
“Millie!” Connor yells again. At this point, he might as well be yelling at a brick wall. All my honesty is going to get me in trouble, but I can’t seem to stop myself.
“So, you killed him?” the detective asks.
“Just because you put ranch on something doesn”t mean it”s a salad.”
Connor groans. Caleb snorts but covers it up with a cough.
The detective”s eyes harden. “Did you put ranch on him before killing him?”
I roll my eyes. “It’s a metaphor. He lied to me. Of course, I was angry. But just because I wanted to kill him, doesn’t mean I did.”
“Millie, why didn’t you tell me at dinner Justin was bugging you?” Connor asks.
I let out a breath it seems I”ve been holding all night. “Because I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, Agent Don’t-Touch-That has been keeping me safe.”
Caleb coughs and Connor’s eyes narrow in on him. “He’s not doing a very good job since a murder took place in your apartment without him noticing!” Connor’s shout is loud enough to rattle the desk.
“Okay.” Maddie places a hand on Connor’s arm. “I think we should finish with the detective, and then we can very calmly talk about this.”
Connor huffs. “This coming from the woman who tried to strangle me once.”
Caleb and the detective now look very interested in Maddie. It’s nice to have the attention off of me.
Maddie smiles sweetly at them, and not so sweetly at Connor. I’m almost ninety percent sure her smile says she will strangle him for real this time if he doesn’t shut up right now. Oh, to be in love.
“Sorry,” Connor mutters. “Continue, Detective.”
The detective clears his throat and brings his attention back to me. “As I said, you are free to go. But please don’t leave the city. We’ve got your statement but will likely call for more information. Please cooperate.”
I cross my heart. Then mentally slap myself.
“Agent Harris will escort you home to gather your necessities,” he continues, “then take you to a safe location. But please, do not do anything else to the crime scene.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The detective looks at me until the eye contact becomes uncomfortable. Then he abruptly stands and walks out of the room. It’s silent, until the rest of us stand and filter out of the room as well.
Connor steps in front of Caleb, puffing out his chest, exaggerating the three inches he has on him in height. “I’ll take Millie to get her stuff.”
Caleb is undeterred by my idiot brother’s attempt at intimidation. “Sure. Do you have a gun on you in case the killer comes back?”
Connor glares at Caleb then turns to whisper something to Maddie.
“She’ll be fine,” Maddie whispers back. “I trust Caleb.”
Connor makes a sound of disbelief but concedes. “Well, I’ll follow you so I can bring her back to my place.”
Why is he talking about me like I’m a child? I’m standing right here and more than capable of making my own choices. And based on where we are right now, I’m clearly doing a bang-up job.
Caleb opens his mouth, but I cut him off.
“Actually, before you got here the detective said it wouldn’t be safe to stay with family. You should stay over at Maddie’s, and I’ll stay with Caleb.”
Caleb coughs, and it’s one heck of an irritation that must be lodged in his lungs because I’m afraid I’m going to have to jump on him and give him the Heimlich.
I mean hit his back.
I probably should have run this idea by him first. But I can’t stay with Connor right now. I love him more than anything, and I won’t put him or Maddie in danger. They are all I have left. But also, I can’t handle his over-protectiveness. He thought when Mom and Dad died he needed to be my parent and protect me, regardless of the fact that I’m older than him, and an adult. He sacrificed his life savings, covering bills I didn’t know existed for years so that I could stay in my parents” house. It’s time to do something for him in return.
“You’re not staying with him,” Connor says, eyeing Caleb like he’s some sort of killer. If only he knew I’ve been dating one.
Caleb takes a deep breath, regaining control of himself.
“I can make my own decisions,” I retort. “And I will not put you guys in danger. Besides, Caleb already offered.”
There’s Caleb’s cough again. At this point, he really shouldn’t be surprised by what comes out of my mouth.
Connor stiffens, clenching the briefcase which I know he only carries for aesthetics. “Of course, he would offer to let you stay in his bed.”
Caleb’s coughing again. He should really get that checked out.
Maddie grabs Connor’s arm and hauls him down the hall. She doesn’t release him when they stop but lays into him instead. Yelling at him about being overprotective of me and allowing me to make my own decisions.
“They’re engaged?” Caleb asks in disbelief.
The fighting stops, only because they are now kissing at a PG-13 level. A couple more ratings and they might end up behind bars themselves.
“I know, cute, huh?”
Caleb scratches his jaw. “That’s not the first word that comes to my mind.”
The detective scoots by them in the hall, shooting them a glare.
How embarrassing. They are supposed to be professionals.
They break apart and meet back up with us, Connor’s face impressively calm compared to what he was a few moments ago.
“Okay,” he says. “But you need to call me every day so I know you’re okay.”
“Deal.” I leap forward and hug him.
He hugs me tight in return. His embrace is warm and familiar. When was the last time we hugged? We will have to remedy this from now on.
“Keep my sister safe,” Connor says over my shoulder.
“That’s my job,” Caleb responds.
That’s my job? Why does that kill me a little inside?