Page 38 of The Perfect Poise

“Mr. Crest,” Ryan replied. “I’m not really interested in what you do or don’t like. We’re investigating a murder. So how about you be straight with us?”

Crest looked like he wanted to snap back but managed to restrain himself when he answered.

“If you’re asking if I was sleeping with Chloe, the answer is no,” he said. “There might have been some sparks, but she was married to this super-rich guy and there was no way she was going to risk messing things up with that golden goose.”

“But you did get involved with some other clients, right?” Jessie asked.

“Why do you assume that?” he asked defensively.

“Come on, Julian, a good-looking guy like you,” she said, “lots of up close and personal sweating. I’m sure there were tons of ‘sparks.’”

The guy flashed a cocky smile.

“Maybe on occasion,” he conceded.

“I heard you had a thing with that super-model, Isabella Moreno,” she said. “Is that true?”

“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” he replied.

“That sounds like a yes to me,” Jessie said.

“I didn’t say that,” Crest retorted, suddenly combative, “don’t try to get me in a jam. Besides, my personal affairs are none of your business, lady, no matter how long your legs are.”

Jessie felt Ryan tense up next to her, though he said nothing. He clearly understood that she was getting somewhere and didn’t want to upend that.

“I appreciate the gentlemanly assessment,” she said, “but I can’t help but notice that you’re really defensive when it comes to Isabella. Why is that? Were things not consensual?”

“Hey,” he protested, “what the hell? You can’t come in here making accusations like that.”

“Where were you today between 11 a.m. and noon, Julian?” she asked, undaunted.

“Probably nailing some chick who’s hotter than you,” he spat, “now I’ve had enough of this. You can go.”

Ryan decided to make a contribution to the conversation. “This is serious business, Mr. Crest, and my partner asked you a serious question. We need a serious answer.”

Crest looked at him, then over at Jessie, before returning his attention to the detective.

“Here’s your serious answer,” he finally said. “Screw you!”

Ryan sighed.

“That’s not a serious answer either, Mr. Crest,” he said with disappointment in his voice. “I’m afraid you’re not giving us much choice but to take you in and get our answers back at the station. None of us want that, so I’m going to give you one last opportunity to be forthcoming—."

“You don’t want to mess with me,” Crest said, assuming a fighting position with his fists up, “I know my rights. You come at me in here without a warrant and I’ll bust you up and be justified in doing it.”

“None of that is true, Mr. Crest,” Ryan told him calmly.

“Of course you’d say that,” the trainer retorted, unconvinced.

Ryan looked over at Jessie. She could see that he was half-annoyed that it had come to this, but also party enthused at the opportunity to take this jerk down.

“You got my back?” he asked.

“Always,” she told him.

"Julian Crest," Ryan said, taking a step forward, "I'm taking you into custody on suspicion of murder. Please don't resist arrest, or I'll have to add that to the charge sheet."

“Come at me, bro,” Crest barked, weaving back and forth. Then, choosing not to actually wait for the detective to come at him, he lunged wildly at Ryan, slamming into his chest and propelling him against the back wall of the studio. Even though it was padded, the collision was violent.

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