Page 50 of Cornered

Donovan set the camera down and pitched his voice low. “Bronwyn, is there something I need to know? I can ask them to leave.”

So, Donovan had picked up on the tension too. Cassie shouldn’t be surprised. It was so thick she’d been tempted to smack Mo on general principle. He radiated frustration and what Cassie was almost certain was a barely contained fury.

Bronwyn looked toward the dining area. “They can stay. It’s a private war. And it won’t bleed into this. We need the help.”

Cassie considered her options as Donovan finished documenting the scene. He dusted for prints in a few places, but as far as she could tell, he didn’t find anything useful. When he finally put everything away, she was prepared to be told her kitchen would be off-limits indefinitely.

“Bronwyn, do you want the good news or the bad news?”

“The bad news.”

“Fair enough.” Donovan stood and surveyed the room. “Because they entered the premises and destroyed property, this is a burglary. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a single usablefootprint or fingerprint. I’ve taken a sample of the sauce, and we’ll have it analyzed, but it will take weeks before we have results back from the lab.” He pulled first one glove off, then the other. “If you want to bring in a private lab, or a private investigator, I wouldn’t fault you for that. But no one can find what isn’t here.”

Bronwyn shook her head. “No. I don’t want to do that.”

“I need to interview both of you on the record, as well as the security guards and the restaurant staff. I’ll write up a report. But unless we unveil a smoking gun in the interviews, there’s nothing more I can do.”

“Please move on to the good news.” Cassie tried to keep her voice light.

“Of course.” Was it her imagination, or did his voice drop into an even lower register when he spoke to her? Imagination or not, she liked it.

“The good news is that unless you plan to bring in someone else to investigate, I’m prepared to release the scene. That means you can get some staff in here to sort through the mess and get this place cleaned up.”

Bronwyn let out a weak “Yeah.”

Donovan frowned. “I thought that would be good news.”

“It is. But everyone who could work any extra time was already tasked with other things today.”

“Have no fear.” Cal spoke from where he leaned into the swinging door. “Landry’s been on the phone. The Quinns are ready to roll. Just say the word. And, you know, tell the guys at the gate to let them in. We’ll have a crew here in an hour.”

Cassie squealed and ran to Cal. “You’re the best!”

“Hey now,” Mo’s rumble came from the other side of the door. “I’ll have you know it was my idea.”

She stepped through the door and hugged Mo. “You’re the best too.”

“Don’t you forget it, sweet girl.”

“Thank you.”

Mo winked at her. “Don’t worry, Cassie Lassie. We’ve got you.”

She stepped back into the kitchen, Mo on her heels. “Bronwyn? Is that okay?”

“Let them come.”

Donovan looked around the space once more, then nodded. “Excellent. If you’ll hold down the fort here, I’ll get these two lovely ladies interviewed so Cassie can get back and figure out how to feed tonight’s guests.”

FOUR

BRONWYN LEDTHE WAY,and they walked the short distance to her office. No one spoke as they walked or when she led them into the conference room. She paused and spoke to her secretary. “Could you bring water and coffee? And then hold all my calls. Thank you.”

They entered the conference room, but Donovan hung back by the door. “Ladies, please understand that I’m just doing my job. But I need to speak to you individually.” He pointed to Cassie. “Would you be willing to wait outside while I speak to Bronwyn?”

A host of emotions flitted across Cassie’s face. He hoped she understood.

“I’ll wait—”

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