Austin opened his mouth, but it seemed to Cullen that he changed his mind as to what he’d been about to say. “Yes. I was there.”
“You said you smoked on the front porch,” Cullen pointed out.
“Well, I misspoke.” Austin stood and poured himself a cup of what looked more like sludge than coffee. It probably tasted like sludge, too, because Austin grimaced when he took a sip. “It was on the patio. It was cold, and I left the doors open so I wouldn’t freeze while I was out there.”
“What time was this?” Leigh said, asking the very question that Cullen knew she would.
They didn’t have a time of death on Alexa, but according to Jamie, he’d dropped her off around eight. A half hour or so later, Jamie had been attacked. So, Alexa had likely died between eight and eight thirty.
“I’m not sure.” Austin’s forehead bunched up. “Maybe seven thirty or a little later. It was still early, but I needed a smoke before all the toasts got started so I popped outside. It was so cold that I decided to take just a few drags off the cigarette and then get a hit with the nicotine gum I carry so I wouldn’t have to stay outside.”
If Austin was telling the truth, then his timing for that smoke would clear him. But Leigh probably had plenty of doubts about that “if.”
“Did you see anyone else on or around the patio when you were out there?” Leigh asked, and there was some skepticism not only in her voice but also in her flat cop’s eyes.
“No.” Austin stopped for a moment. “Well, other than a few of the ranch hands. I saw a couple of them going to and from the barn.”
“Only the ranch hands?” Leigh pressed. “No one else?” When Austin shook his head, she moved on to the next question. “Did you leave the patio doors unlocked when you came back into the house?”
Again, Austin’s forehead bunched up. “Maybe. Sorry, I can’t remember.” He huffed. “Look, I didn’t kill Alexa or hurt Jamie so all of this is unnecessary.”
“This is a murder investigation,” Leigh argued. “All the details are necessary. Did you see Alexa during the party?” she tacked on without even pausing.
“No.” However, Austin certainly did some pausing. “But she did text me. She wanted me to meet her, and I told her no.”
Leigh jumped right on that. “Meet her where and why?”
Austin lifted his shoulder. “She didn’t say.”
“So, she could have wanted you to meet her in the house? In Cullen’s bedroom?” Leigh continued.
“She didn’t say,” Austin repeated, and this time he snapped it. “And from the sound of these questions, I think I should call my lawyer after all.”
“Go ahead.” Leigh stood. “As soon as I get one of my deputies here for guard duty, I’ll meet your lawyer and you at the police station. Deputy Yancy’s already there and can show you to an interview room. He texted me when I was with Jamie,” she let Cullen know.
Austin stood as well, and was no doubt about to verbally blast Leigh for treating him like the suspect that he was, but he didn’t get the chance. Looking as harried as Austin had when he’d arrived, Kali came rushing in.
“The nurse said she saw the three of you come in here,” Kali explained, her voice shaky and her glare already on Austin.
“Kali.” Austin went to her and tried to pull her into his arms, but Kali batted him away and turned to Cullen. “You’ve told Austin that I know about his affair with Alexa?”
The color drained from Austin’s face.
“No, I didn’t tell him,” Cullen admitted.
“Kali,” Austin repeated, and again he reached for her. This time, Kali slapped him. Not a gentle hit, either. The sound of it cracked through the room.
Cullen stepped in, putting himself between the two while Leigh took hold of Austin and pulled him back.
“Don’t you dare try to deny it,” Kali spat out, aiming her venomous gaze on Austin. She held up what was almost certainly Austin’s phone. “I found your texts to her.”
It was hard for Cullen to believe this was the couple who’d been so happy just the night before. Or rather, they’dappearedhappy. Obviously, appearances weren’t accurate.
“I was going to break things off with Alexa,” Austin pled. “I swear. I made a huge mistake by being with her, and I told her it was over, that I wanted to be with you. I want us to get married, Kali. I want a life with you.”
The sound Kali made was a low, rumbling growl. “You’ll never have a life with me.”
She started cursing him, calling him vile names, but the fit of temper soon gave way to tears. Judging from her red eyes, these tears weren’t the first of the day.