14 SAM #3
“Based on the probable time of death, he was here between seven and nine,” Connor said, and the man fast-forwarded through the timestamps.
“He had a black stamp on his hand,” I said, and the man narrowed the timeframe to between seven and eight at night, when the stamps were still black.
On the entrance camera, he fast-forwarded until Connor recognized Bob. The guard tracked Bob through the club. As soon as Bob arrived, he went to the first bar and ordered a drink. He kept glancing around nervously.
Some time later, a woman sat down next to him. Her face wasn't visible.
“Isn't there another angle?” Connor asked.
The man at the controls switched to another camera, but the view was blocked by a floral arrangement. All we could see was her dark hair and part of her lips and torso.
Robert talked with the woman for a bit. He seemed more relaxed. Almost distracted.
The woman touched Bob's arm and they stood up. They walked toward the bathrooms. Bob and the woman entered the men's room and stayed there for a few minutes.
Bob came out looking a bit unsteady. He walked with difficulty toward the exit. A few seconds later, the woman emerged. She seemed to avoid the cameras as if she knew exactly what to do. She said something to the bartender and left Azur.
Outside, Bob was leaning against the wall by the entrance, and the woman helped him across the street. That part of the street was dark, and all you could make out was a car waiting. A blue car.
Connor stared at me, his gaze heavy. Dark.
“Well, looks like your friend had a little fun,” Youssef remarked.
“Who was that girl?” Connor asked.
“Couldn't see. Must be one of those clever little sluts who come here to snag clients.” The old man stared at me.
“Do you know her?” Connor actually asked me that?!
“What?! No!” I responded, outraged, and stared at the image of the girl on the screen. “Wait…”
Connor kept staring at me strangely.
“Go back to the scene of her leaving the bathroom,” I told the man, and he did. “The lipstick!”
“What about it?”
“The woman I met in the bathroom was wearing the same one,” I said. “But… she was a redhead.”
“Lots of people wear that lipstick, girl,” Youssef interrupted. “Well, now that you know your friend didn't die here, you can leave and keep my nightclub out of your path of destruction. Especially her.”
Connor reached for his gun on the table. The security guards tensed.
“Relax… I just want my gun back.”
“I'm sorry, Mr. O'Brien, but this stays with us until you're out of here.”
Youssef handed the gun to the security guards, who moved to escort us out of the room and out of Azur.
“I don't need to repeat the speech from the last time you were here, right, Riad?”
“No,” I growled.
“The next time you walk through Azur's door, make sure you don't plan on going home.”
“Relax, I don't want to see your ugly face anymore, Youssef,” I shot back.
The security guard led us to the exit and only returned the gun once we were outside. Connor shoved it in his waistband and started walking. He seemed to be walking fast on purpose, leaving me behind.
We took a taxi home and he stayed silent. Not even when we walked through the front door did he make a sound. He unbuttoned his shirt and cuffs. He didn't take the gun from his waistband like he usually did.
“Okay.” I grabbed his arm as he brushed past me on his way to the bathroom. “I understand that you're frustrated and—”
“Understand?” he said, almost aggressively. “What were you doing the night Bob was murdered?”
“Huh? You know damn well I had a date.”
“Of course.” He stepped closer, leaving barely any space between us. “A supposed date to help a friend.”
“I don't understand what you're getting at, detective.”
“The car! The fucking blue car,” he growled. “The same car you got into that damn night.”
“What? Are you insinuating I had something to do with Bob's death?” I asked incredulously. “Go to hell, Connor.”
I pushed him, but he grabbed my wrists and I stumbled back. My body slammed into one of the bookshelves.
“Who were you going to meet?”
“None of your business.”
“I'm not going to ask again,” he growled. This time his face was so close to mine I could feel his hot breath.
“You're crazy,” I shot back.
“You know what? You're driving me crazy,” he murmured, pulling my body against his while pinning me between him and the shelf. “You're blinding me. Messing with my head.”
“No. Ammit is the one blinding you.”
Connor released my wrists and his hand curled around my neck. His touch was heavy and intense, just like his breathing. My chest rose and fell as I felt his body pressing against mine, leaving me no space.
“This isn't about Ammit, Samantha. It's about the man I almost killed because of you… because of someone who's clearly lying to me,” he murmured. His thumb caressed my skin as he looked deep into my eyes. “I want you to tell me the truth… Who. Did. You. Go. See. That. Night?”
I stared at him in silence. I could barely count my heartbeats as they tripped over each other. I had so many words running through my head, and I needed to choose them carefully.
“Okay,” I sighed. “I lied.”