Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
Amanda heard Carter’s phone vibrate on the nightstand and felt him kiss her cheek before he slipped out of bed around one in the morning.
She would have called out goodbye, but she was down for the count.
Even now, in the passenger seat of a department car on the way to DC at nine-thirty, it was a good thing she wasn’t the one driving.
At least Trent looked far more rested than she felt.
“How are you doing over there?” he asked.
It was unsettling he read her so well. It’s like anytime her mind drifted, he knew it had left the present moment. She had a firm grip on a take-out cup from Hannah’s Diner. The coffee was long gone but somehow just holding it helped keep her eyes open. “I’m just tired.”
“Nah, there’s more to it. We were home early last night.” He glanced over at her, and their eyes met. “Oh.”
He seemed to have read her mind again, but she spelled it out anyhow. “Carter came over.” And before that there was a weird incident with my dad… She’d leave that out of her summary.
“I guess that explains it.”
“Trust me. It does.” No offense to her late husband, but she had mind-blowing sex with Carter. She’d feel accurate in saying he was the best she’d ever had. Memories from last night crept in and had her cranking the A/C. “The coffee’s making me hot,” she offered as an explanation.
Trent said nothing, but his facial expression tightened. Soon he was pulling off the highway and making his way down city streets to Gabay, Finch & Earnest.
After he parked, she set her cup in the console and got out of the vehicle. This firm was more impressive than Sharp & Associates, housed inside a large building and spread over four floors.
The reception desk was long with sleek lines and chrome. Two women sat there wearing headsets. One was speaking on the phone, but the second one greeted them.
“Welcome to Gabay, Finch & Earnest. Can I help you?”
“Detectives Steele and Stenson. We have an appointment with Howard Gabay.”
The young woman looked at her computer, and a few seconds later, said, “Yes, I see that. I’ll let him know you’re here. If you wanted to take a seat while you wait, please do so.”
“Thank you.” Amanda backed up and walked over to the seating area. Her phone pinged with a text, and she checked it. The message was from Carter.
Sorry I had to leave in the night. Hope you slept well. You earned it. xo
Just his words had her catapulting back to their bodies entwined and tangled in her sheets. His warmth against hers and—
“Detectives?” A rotund man with gray thinning hair was walking toward them.
“Yes. Detectives Steele and Stenson,” she said. “And you are—”
“Howard Gabay.” He held out his hand, and she shook it. Then Trent did the same. “This way.” Howard waved for them to follow.
After what felt like a mile of hallway, they arrived at a large office. It was outfitted with a couch, two chairs, a desk, and lovely views of the Potomac and the Key Bridge.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable.” Howard sat on one end of the couch and crossed his leg, resting his ankle on his other knee. “I heard about the situation going on with Dominique. It’s crazy.”
That’s one way of putting it… But how much did he know? “I’m not sure how much you’ve heard…” She left it dangling for him to fill in while she sat on a chair, and Trent sat in one opposite her.
“Her real estate agent was murdered in her home.” Howard tilted his head, as if silently inquiring if there was something he’d missed.
“Yes, last Friday night. But I’m sorry to say there’s even more to this.”
“Well, I figured there must be for you to want to talk to me.”
“Good instinct.” The man blushed at her compliment, and she continued. “We believe Dominique was the intended target.”
All the flush left his cheeks, but he remained silent.
“We also believe the same person who killed the agent returned yesterday for Dominique.”
“Dear heavens, this is preposterous. But she’s okay…?”
“She’s fine, but her friend was caught in the crossfire. He’s in the hospital, fighting for his life.”
“Tragic. I had no idea about any of this.” He was doe-eyed, and his mouth kept opening and shutting, like a fish gulping water.
“Though, why would you?” she countered. “Now we understand that Ms. Sharp was here, in DC, to discuss business on Friday. Was that so?”
“Yes. I sure hope she’ll still want to go ahead.”
“I don’t think anything could stop her.” Considering that a threat on her life wasn’t slowing her down, Amanda imagined nothing could change her mind once it was made up. No matter what the cost.
“That’s reassuring to hear. I’m looking forward to all this being over and done with.”
Amanda would have expected more gumption from the head of a generational firm. Also the way he made it sound, he was washing his hands of the entire business. “I’m surprised to hear you say that.”
“Because my great-great-granddaddy founded the place? Well, I’ve done my part for his legacy. Now, I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet. And lots of golf.”
Howard seemed to say all the right things, but there was a false note in his voice. But if she was going to validate that suspicion, she’d need to finesse it from him. “Golf seems to be a favorite pastime among lawyers.” Of course, she based this on one partner from Dominique’s firm.
“It helps focus the mind.”
That wasn’t Amanda’s experience the one time she tried it. Slow, tedious, and mind-numbing were all apt adjectives. She preferred something with a little more speed or levity. Though mini golf was fun. Speaking of, she needed to get Zoe out for that this summer.
“I enjoy it sometimes,” Trent put in. “But it’s not my sport. I prefer baseball.”
Amanda glanced at him, learning something new. He nodded at her, so she took it to mean he wasn’t just trying to relate to Howard. But she didn’t want them to get too off topic here and steered the conversation back to the sale. “Mr. Gabay—”
“Just call me Howard, please.”
“Howard, considering your great-great-grandfather’s legacy, don’t you have any children who might want to take over, step up in your place?”
“My son works here. He’s an exceptional lawyer and a junior partner at the firm.”
“What is your son’s name?” Trent asked, now with his notepad and pen out.
“Sullivan Gabay. But you don’t need to be writing that down.” He wriggled a pointed finger toward Trent’s hand as it was busy making the note.
“What will happen to Sullivan once the sale goes through? Will he stay on to represent the family name?” Amanda was reaching because she could see Dominique stripping the Gabay name off the letterhead in a blink.
“Sully’s fine with whatever happens.” Howard waved a dismissive hand. “Dominique has spoken of keeping him on, but if she doesn’t, he’ll be fine.”
Amanda was unsettled by how easily Howard dismissed his son’s feelings.
In Sullivan’s place, she couldn’t imagine being too thrilled at the prospect of being kicked out the door.
“I don’t know a lot about these types of contracts, but I’m sure you could have worked it into a clause that your son would keep his job. ”
“I could have, but I assure you I’m no monster.
Honestly, I’m doing him a favor. He pushed through law school for me.
He’s always had more of a shine toward the arts.
” Howard rubbed the arm of the couch. “I’ve been friendly and cooperative.
Now, it’s your turn, Detective. What really brings you here?
” Howard’s eyes narrowed, showcasing the analytical lawyer behind them.
“All right, I’ll be frank.” She settled farther into her chair. “Acquiring your firm is a recent event in Dominique’s life, and it’s a big deal. It involves a lot of people. Some of whom might not be too happy with the sale.”
“So you suspect someone within my firm wants to kill Dominique to stop the sale?”
Amanda offered a slight shrug. “It’s just one possibility.”
“We’ll I’m afraid you’re bound to be disappointed.”
“Then everyone here was pleased about the acquisition, including yourself? I know you mentioned golfing and a life of leisure, but are you happy with the terms of the sale?” She smiled at him, trying to set him at ease, trying to finesse an honest response.
Howard’s eyes shot to Amanda’s, and the look in them shoved a spike into her gut. A slight flicker answered on his behalf. If she was right, Howard wasn’t pleased. But just what did that mean for the investigation?