Page 122 of Obsession

Emma pushed the thoughts away. She couldn’t change the past, but in her heart she knew if she could ask Ryan for forgiveness, he would give it to her.

A text dinged on her phone. Maybe it was Sam. She’d forgotten to charge the phone after he left, but it was plugged in now. She hurried to the kitchen counter and tapped the screen. Corey. Swallowing her disappointment, she read the text.

My client called. I know it’s late, but can I stop by and share my good news with you?

Emma hesitated, glancing at her watch. How did it get to be nine thirty? Should she answer his text? He was on their suspect list, but Corey being the murderer seemed so farfetched. Instead of texting, she called him. “What’s the good news?”

“My client is withdrawing his opposition,” he said. “I’ll tell you all about it over the coffee I’ve brought from the Guest House.”

A load lifted from her shoulders. At least one thing was going right today. “Good.” A beep sounded on her phone, and she glanced at it. Sam.

“I’m in front of your apartment,” Corey said.

“Come on up. I’ll press the button that unlocks the front door.”

Emma would call Sam as soon as Corey left. When her doorbell rang, she checked the camera app. True to his word, Corey stood in the hallway with two cups in his hands.

She opened the door. “Did he really withdraw his opposition?”

“Yes indeed.”

“Come on in,” she said, stepping back to allow him room to get past her.

“I think this is still hot—I just got it and came straight here.” He handed her a cup with the Guest House logo on it. “Can you manage it?”

“Sure.” She took the cup and led the way into the living area. Corey took the sofa, and she settled in the chair across from him and flipped the top back on the cup.

“How did you convince him?” she asked and sipped the coffee. “Ooh, this is as good as I remembered.”

“It is, isn’t it,” he said. “I just told him you would do a better job than anyone I knew of.”

Her heart warmed toward Corey. “I appreciate your vote of confidence.” She took another sip of the coffee. “I wonder if the Guest House would tell me what brand this is.”

“I’m sure they would,” he said. “What are your plans? When will you start the project?”

“Tomorrow. My supervisor has said I can work there instead of Melrose.” Unless Sam insisted that she work somewhere else.

“Good.” He looked around the apartment. “Is there any way I could look at what you have from the project in 2000? That would give me an idea of what you’re going to do.”

“Sure. It’s in my backpack. Be right back.” She walked to her bedroom and retrieved the report. It was such a relief to know she didn’t have to jump through more hoops to conduct her project. Back in the living room, she spread out the report on the coffee table in front of the sofa. As they talked, it was obvious from his questions that Corey was interested in the project.

She didn’t know how long they’d been discussing her plans when her cell phone rang. Her heart skipped when Melanie Ferguson showed up on caller ID. How was she going to get theinformation she needed with Corey sitting beside her? “I need to take this in private,” she said, standing. “Be right back.”

Whoa. Emma grabbed the doorframe in the hallway. She’d moved too fast and paused to get her balance before she slid the answer button. “Hello?”

“Emma, Melanie Ferguson returning your call. I know it’s a little after ten, but I’ve been away from my phone, and your message sounded urgent.”

“Thanks,” she said and walked to her bedroom. “Do you remember the person I called about?” She didn’t want to use Corey’s name in case he could hear her.

“Yes. Corey Chandler interned for Wendall in 2011. He started in January. I remember because that’s when I broke my leg.”

The year Mary Jo and Ryan were murdered. “Are you sure?” Emma’s head felt odd.

“Positive. He called me at home on several occasions for help finding files that Wendall wanted.”

“How long did he intern?”

“Three months. He was leaving the week I returned to work.”

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