The detective appeared especially smug as he closed his notebook. “Sure, Mr. Kensington. Are you willing to come down to the precinct if we have any further questions?”
He resisted the urge to groan. “Of course,” he agreed politely. Then, with a flat expression, he added, “You can reach out to my lawyer to arrange it.” Cole wrote down the name and number of his attorney. “Though I can’t think of anything I haven’t already told you.”
Well, other than the whole potential motive regarding the gene therapy trials. And the fact that it was Cole who’d put her in danger by telling her about someone sabotaging the trials.
The detective grimaced but accepted the card. “Well, sometimes peoplerememberthings later. After the fact, you know?”
Cole could already tell he was the prime suspect. But they hadn’t arrested him, so that was a good start.
“Am I free to go?” he asked.
The detective nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Cole approached the desk where Joey sat. “Are you ready to go?”
The detective looked up with irritation. “I’m still asking Ms. Rodriguez a few more questions.”
Joey straightened. “I’ve already told you everything I saw, heard, felt, and smelled.”
“Sounds like you’ve got what you need. I’ll be taking Ms. Rodriguez home now,” Cole said, using his boardroom voice. It left no room for arguments. “You can contact her lawyer if you have additional questions. Your partner over there has the details.” It was an easy decision. Her lawyer would be his lawyer, because he was going to make sure she had the very best that money could buy.
Joey frowned at him, but thankfully, didn’t argue.
He walked silently beside her to the elevator, barefoot, since his shoes had been seized as evidence also. Joey reached over and pushed the call button, then stepped back, a little closer to his side.
Neither of them said anything as they stepped into the elevator and waited for the doors to close. He desperately wanted to wrap his arm around her. He glanced at the camera he knew was hidden in the corner of the ceiling.
He teased her fingers with his, finding two of them and squeezing gently.
Her grip tightened in response, forging a secret link between them, hidden by the long sleeves of her coat. He clenched his jaw, holding back the emotion behind a pressure valve that he couldn’t afford to let burst. Not yet.
An unspoken bond had been built between them tonight. He held Joey’s fingers tightly, releasing only as the elevator doors opened. She pointed toward the parking garage and met his eyes. He shook his head. He couldn’t explain it, but he wanted her with him.
“No way you’re driving home tonight. Come on.” He nodded toward the front door where his car would be waiting. Her eyes fluttered shut before she nodded.
“Okay,” she said quietly. They crossed the quiet lobby, the gleaming surfaces reflecting the dim lights, and headed out to the car. Joey looked at him after seeing the driver. It wasn’t Jared. Cole nodded in response, a wordless conversation taking place. It was okay. When Jared was off, he used a car service he trusted.
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Jared gets a night off every now and then.”
Joey stopped and looked up. “Do you know him? Because you nearly witnessed a murder downstairs…and there is no way we’re getting in a car with a driver you’ve never seen before.”
Cole was torn between a frustration born mostly of fatigue and a begrudging respect that Joey wouldn’t let her guard down, even after everything they’d been through already. She had to be as worn down as he was.
“This is Tyler. He’s been driving for me as needed for about three years, right, Tyler?”
“Yes, sir, about that.”
“How’s your daughter? Still at Ball State?”
Tyler’s smile came easily at the mention of his daughter. “Yes, sir. She graduates in May with her degree in business marketing.”
Joey had relaxed next to him. Cole ushered her inside the vehicle while responding to the proud father. “Congratulations. Send me her resume. We can always use good marketing folks.”
“I will do that. Thank you, sir.”
After telling Tyler where they were headed, Cole settled in next to Joey. Because he needed it, and because he thought she might need it too, he held open his arm, inviting her to sit closer. She glanced at the open space for a moment before sliding across the leather and sinking under his arm, against his body. He wrapped his arm around her and let himself shut his eyes.
Almost immediately, he opened them again, willing the scene from earlier to stop replaying in his mind. Joey shifted so she could look at him.