Page 139 of See You Again

A sharp knock on the door cut her off, and James frowned. “No one should be able to get up here.”

Luke was closest to the door, and with a grim look, he lined his eye up with the peephole before turning with a resigned sigh. “Police.”

“Damn it. I said I’d come in tomorrow.” James glared at the door as the knock came again, and the officers announced themselves.

Luke opened the door, and two uniformed officers entered, their eyes taking in both formally dressed couples before their eyes flitted between Luke and James.

“James Bloom?” One of the officers asked.

A muscle ticked in James’s jaw as he identified himself.

“We’d like for you to accompany us to the station to give your statement about the shooting of Justin Garrett last night.”

“I’m Luke Bloom, his attorney. He can give his statement here.”

The officer assessed Luke. “He’s had the opportunity to give his statement, and he chose not to.”

“When I was in the hospital? Are you serious?”

Cami could see James was losing his grip on his temper.

“You told the officers last night you would provide a statement today. We’ve called, and you failed to answer or respond to our messages. As a criminal defense attorney, I’d think you would understand that looks like you are trying to obstruct the investigation.” It was clear by the officer’s tone James’s profession was going to count against him. “So, Counselor, now we’re going to do this our way.”

“I was a little busy. Recovering.”

The older officer made a pointed inspection of James’s attire before looking at Cami next to him. “Recovering.” His lip curled. “Right. Well, you appear recovered enough now.”

“My client sustained grievous injuries last night. He is the victim of the assault in question. There is no reason he can’t give you his statement right now.”

“Who the victim is, is precisely what we are trying to establish.” The officer narrowed his eyes at James. “Unlike you, Mr. Garrett is still in the hospital recovering from gun-shot wounds. The angle of the security cameras didn’t fully cover what happened…” He shrugged. “You can see how we need to get to the bottom of it.”

Cami’s stomach roiled. Justin. It wasn’t enough that he’d attacked James. It was clear that he wasn’t done trying to destroy their lives.

“If you’re well enough to go out to some fancy party, then you’re well enough to answer our questions… at the station.”

Cami saw his muscles bunch under the tailored jacket and she tensed. James pursed his lips and caught his brother’s gaze.

“Go with them. I’ll handle this and meet you there.” He tipped Cami’s chin up with his forefinger. “I’ll be there soon. Stay with Luke and be safe.” He brushed a light kiss over her lips before pulling back and turning a tight smile on the officers. “Let’s get this over with.”

Luke’s face creased, his concern evident. Cami lifted her eyebrows at Dahlia and inclined her head to the door. Dahlia gave a tiny nod and then squeezed Luke’s arm. “Go with James. He needs you more than we do tonight. It’s just a party. If the opportunity doesn’t present itself then we will leave empty handed. Right, Cami?”

“Right,” Cami lied. She was not leaving that auction without Matt Crawford’s DNA.

It was obvious Luke was torn. “If Justin is crafting a story to make it look like James attacked him, this could be very serious.”

Luke hissed out a frustrated breath before looking intently into Dahlia’s eyes, his jaw sawing back and forth as he struggled with his decision. Finally, his shoulders slumped. “You’re right. Both of you.” He pointed his finger between the women. “Be careful. Matt is dangerous…” He pressed a hard kiss to Dahlia’s lips. “Stay together, and don’t get caught alone with him.”

A look passed between them that Cami couldn’t decipher.

Dahlia stroked his jaw. “We’ll be fine.”

After the door slammed behind him, Cami raised her brows at Dahlia. “Is it ever calm around them?”

“I haven’t seen it yet.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The event space glittered in shades of gold and black. Fairy lights highlighted gold fabric draped on the walls and ceiling of the hotel ballroom, while large clusters of balloons were anchored on the black cloth-covered high-tops.

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