Page 61 of Brutal Prince

The doorbell chimed through the halls and I offered to answer the door to remove myself from the growing volatile situation. The help was eating her dinner in the kitchen, so I thought I’d do her favor.

My heart hit my throat when I saw who was standing on the doorstep. Not that I had anything to worry about.

“Can I help you?” I asked when I opened the door, pretending to not know who she was.

“Detective Mathias,” showing me her badge, “and you’re the man I’ve been looking for.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, detective.”

She feigned a cringe. Yet I knew she’d spread eagle for me in a second. “Do you have a moment where I can ask you a couple of questions?”

“Not really, I’m in the middle of a family dinner.”

“That’s fine. It’ll only take a couple of minutes.” She wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“Fine. Ask away.”

“Would you mind if I came in?”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“Sure,” a hint of smirk on her face. “Do you know an Amber Murphy?”

“Ah, no.”

“Maybe if I showed you a pic it might prompt your memory.” She held up a photograph of beautiful olive skinned Primis, my favorite.

“No, I don’t.”

“That’s interesting because we have witnesses that said they’ve seen you two together on more than one occasion.”

“They’re mistaken because I’ve never seen her before in my life. Why are you asking?”

“She went missing two weeks ago.”

My lower back seized up and I rubbed the area with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry for her family.”

“It’s particularly disturbing when her boyfriend received some of her remains in the post.”

“I’m s-sorry?” I stuttered shocked, struggling to string together a sentence.

“So, obviously we’re chasing every lead we can.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know who she is.”

“Never met her before ever?”

“Never.”

“Okay, thank you.”

I shut the door on her and felt the presence of someone behind me. I turned slowly to find my little brother sitting on the stairs that led to the bedrooms, fingers laced together, and forearms on his knees. Casual as fuck.

“You know it’s unlawful to lie police,” he spoke in a measured tone. I glanced in the direction of the dining room where I could hear the drones of a conversation take place.

Ignoring him, I started to make my way back to the formal dining room. I didn’t get far before rage came over me. I flew at Art wrenched my hands around his neck and squeezed hard, slashing his face with my stare.

“What the fuck did you do?” I didn’t recognize my own voice. It sounded like an animal snarling at the back of his throat.

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