Page 7 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

He stood. He’d asked her to trust him, but the amount of trust in her eyes unnerved him. She could trust him to keep her safe and help, but he didn’t want her to get her hopes up that he could find the guy who killed her stepbrother.

Damon rubbed the back of his neck. “What happened once they started questioning you?”

“I overheard one officer radio into whoever that they would detain me and take me to the station for more questioning because I had a motive. I didn’t have a damn motive, and I didn’t kill him.”

Ryker looked up from his computer. “We all know that, Ella.”

His quiet confidence in her innocence seemed to soothe her frustration.

Not many women killed for fun. When they did, it was usually due to strong, unbalanced emotions of right and wrong. Feeling cheated. Betrayed. In her case, would a sibling rivalry spark that level of aggression? Stepsiblings? Maybe it was due to a family fight. Maybe money.

“Thanks,” she said to Ryker. “The only reason I think they want me now is because I ran. I found Teddy, called the police, and ran when they wanted to arrest me.”

“According to the official report,” Ryker continued, now with two laptops open and running. “The only clue the FBI is clinging to is the fact you left the scene, and Theodore’s secretary overheard ‘Elizabeth’ and him arguing in the days before his murder. She told the police that you shouted at Theodore thatyou’d kill him before letting him drag the company into the toilet. But they didn’t have that information until later.”

Slater shook his head, a small laugh escaping. “Not exactly the words of a killer.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Ella snapped.

Ryker pointed at the screen. “It says your father gave Theodore the CEO position in Cassin Systems. From what I found, your dad married Theo’s mom two years prior. Bypassed his own daughter. That’s your motive in the report.” Ryker cracked his knuckles. “This isn’t a very strong case against you. No crime scene evidence. If you have an alibi, you’re set. They’re piecing together your suspicious activity on a bitter motive, verbal altercation, and presumed guilt because you ran.”

“Why did you run?” Damon asked. “Why didn’t you stay and let them sort it out?”

Before she answered, the apartment door burst open.

Damon took Ella by the upper arm, swinging her behind him as both Slater and Ryker drew guns.

Xavier took a step into the apartment before stumbling back. “What the fuck is this?”

“Us reacting to you kicking in the damn door,” Damon shot back. He looked down at Ella, who clung to his arm. “Sorry. That’s Xavier. Last one of the group.”

Ella exhaled and rested her forehead on Damon’s bicep. “I want this nightmare over,” she whispered.

“I know.” He peeled her off his arm instead of drawing her closer. They needed to get to the bottom of this.

“What’s your problem?” Slater asked Xavier as he holstered his gun.

“I just got a job.”

“I didn’t know the strip club was taking applicants,” Slater shot back.

Xavier lifted his middle finger. “Fuck you.”

“Naw. I’m saving my stamina for later. But thanks for the offer. Always appreciated to know you still want me.”

“What’s the job?” Ryker asked, laughing at the exchange. “I’ll start running some programs.”

“Emailed you the details,” Xavier said. “Runaway named Jerry Livingstone. Fifteen. Last seen at a motel in North Charleston four days ago. Police called off the active search. Put out some flyers. Blasted his information on the Internet and walked away. Mom called. Wants our help. We need to roll out.”

“I’ll call in a backup to my job so I can be on this,” Slater said, already typing into his phone.

“I understand that you have other things to do. Can I start tomorrow night at Cager?” Ella seemed to grab Xavier’s attention like he’d missed that she stood before him. “I need to make some money until I figure out my next step.”

Xavier held up his hands. “What in the hell did I miss? Is this the meeting you called?”

Damon nodded. “Xavier Kennedy, meet Elizabeth Cassin.”

Xavier’s frown was immediate. “We’re not turning her in for money are we?”

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