Page 41 of Ruthless Cross

"She wants to make it look like my mom found out about them and killed Arthur. But maybe that's to hide the fact that she killed Arthur. What if he wasn't going to leave my mom? What if his lover thought she was losing him to his wife?"

"It's a theory," he said carefully. "But you're making a lot of leaps."

"We need to figure out who Layana is. Can you run that name through some FBI database?"

"Yes, although, it would be helpful to have a last name. But it is an unusual first name, so we might get lucky. I'm also wondering about Palm Springs. This is the second time it has come up. You said Arthur and your mother were fighting about going down there this week."

"That's true. Maybe that's where he had his affair."

"Where did Arthur and your mother stay when they went down there?"

"At the house Arthur bought last year."

His gaze narrowed. "I have a list of Arthur's assets, which includes his real estate holdings, and I didn't see a house in the desert. There's a condo in Maui but nothing in Palm Springs."

"I don't know why it wouldn't be on there; he bought it about six months ago."

"Have you been there?"

"Once for the weekend. It's a beautiful place, like everything else Arthur owns."

"Do you have a key?"

"I know the code. Unless Arthur changed it."

"I'm going to need the address and the code. I'll head down there tomorrow."

"Why don't I go with you?" she suggested.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because this is an FBI investigation and you're not an agent."

"But I'm helping you. You wouldn't even know about Palm Springs if it wasn't for me," she argued. "And I want to be there if you find any clues. Also, the property technically belongs to my mom, so I feel a need to protect her interests. If you want the code, you have to take me with you."

"I can find the house without you."

"As fast as you want to find it?" she challenged. "Wouldn't it be easier if I went along for the ride? Or, I could just go on my own."

He gave her an annoyed look. "Fine, you can come."

"Good. What time?"

"I'll be free around noon. I have a brunch in the morning."

"That's perfect. I'll want to check on my mom in the morning." She sipped her coffee. "What else should we be doing?"

The smile returned to his lips. "You should probably be thinking about getting some sleep. I'm sure you didn't get much rest last night."

"Only a few hours, but I don't feel sleepy. I'm too wired. There are so many questions running around my head. Was Arthur having an affair? Was he buying stolen artwork? And who is Layana?"

"All good questions. Unfortunately, we don't have any answers. And it's been a long day. I should probably get going."

"Right now?" she asked, realizing she sounded a little desperate, but the thought of being by herself made her uncomfortable.

"Do you want me to stay longer?" he asked, a gleam in his eyes.

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