Page 63 of Billionaire Protector

Cole nodded, not unkindly. “Let me help you to the bench.”

Surprisingly, Alfred allowed Cole to lead him to the metal seat. The older man slumped on its wide slats, the portrait of utter defeat, and Sarah’s heart scabbed over a thousand olderwounds. No matter how many years passed, it pierced like a dagger every time her dad proved he would never change.

Cole strode back and addressed the crowd. “Did anyone else see the criminal?” A sea of people shook their heads, leaving them without a lead once again. Sarah and Cole took notes, examined the clock and searched for clues, but as with the other scenes, it was as clean as their suspect list. The criminal was obviously smart enough to wear gloves.

Sarah stood back as Cole finished speaking to the residents. Could he be right? Could someone be trying to make her look bad, or worse, framing her? With the stopped clock as evidence, this crime scene certainly didn’t vindicate her. Yet what about him?

Did he think she was guilty?

Cole sat in the car, waiting, watching and wondering. Waiting for Sarah as she helped her dad into his home, watching him argue and wondering about the events of the morning, the not-so-helpful statements from the people, the ambiguous ones from Alfred. If only the man had been sober when he’d seen the criminal, they might’ve had something to pursue. If the crime truly occurred in the morning, or if Alfred actually recognized him as a former football player, it could revitalize the entire investigation.

Yet the impaired man thought it equally likely a pink bunny had committed the crime. Obviously under the influence, he hadn’t been able to remember clearly, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be right about the timing. The metal seemed too hot for an overnight crime, but perhaps he was finding clues he wanted to exist. If Alfred was right, it could prove someone was trying to frame Sarah, making it appear as if the crime occurred when she had no alibi. If it happened while she was at the police station, her innocence would be confirmed.

Cole wasn’t ready to believe Alfred, but he wasn’t ready to dismiss him either. And whether or not he saw what he thought he did, the real criminal could still be setting up Sarah.

He’d briefly entertained the possibility that Sarah was the arsonist, but it seemed wrong, impossible even. No matter how wild she’d been in the past – and he was having serious doubts as to the accuracy of his memory – she was no criminal now.

The front door opened, and Sarah trudged out, every feature tight, taut and exhausted. She shook her head, and the weariness seemingly disappeared, replaced by an expressionless mask. How long had she hidden her troubles from the world, from him? Had she ever had anyone to turn to?

Suddenly, he wanted very much to be that person.

“How’s your dad?” he asked when she entered the car and fastened her seat belt. He shifted the car into drive and pulled onto the street.

“Okay.” Yet her voice was strained as she slumped back in the seat. “Sleeping it off.”

“And you?”

“Me?” She blinked, as if the question surprised her. Didn’t anyone ever ask how she was? “I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.” He kept his voice soft and light. “The situation with your dad must be stressful. Why did you keep it a secret?”

For a minute, she stayed silent, studying the world outside the window. Finally, she spoke lowly, “It’s hard to talk about family issues, especially when they’re so dark. It was harder back then, but now I’m an adult. I’m fine, really.”

All those years, and she never said anything. “You’ve been handling this alone for a long time, haven’t you? Did you ever consider rehab?”

She nodded. “I’d love to send him to a facility. There’s an amazing program in Orlando that has great success with lifelongalcoholics. Unfortunately, it costs a bundle. Even if he agreed to go, which I doubt, I couldn’t afford it.”

“But can you afford to keep hiring people to sit with him, or leaving your job to care for him?”

“I don’t have a choice.” A flash of pain darkened her expression. “There’s no one else. I appreciate your concern, but don’t worry. I have it all under control.”

“Have you always had everything under control, Sarah?” At her sharp gaze, he pressed forward. “Your present doesn’t match your past, or at least the one I always believed. Your dad saying he destroyed your life, my dad saying I don’t know the whole story. What don’t I know?” He pulled into the police station, but before she could disembark, he touched her arm. He resisted the urge to pull her close. “Have I been wrong about you this whole time?”

She paled. Would she admit the truth? Unlikely. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her toneless voice hid a thousand shades of emotion. “Not that it matters. All that’s important is you know who I am now.”

“I’m beginning to realize that.” He edged closer, letting all his possessiveness show. He expected her to retreat, but instead she leaned in, ever the slightest. “The past does matter. It made you who you are today, who you’ll be tomorrow. I’d like to know the real you.”

She looked out the window at the endless sky, her eyes reflective, glassy, fathomless. After a moment, she shook her head and pulled back. “My business is my own. Just like you don’t tell me everything about yourself.”

“I don’t?” The bait was obvious, yet still he took it. “What would you like to know?”

She shrugged, yet interest flashed in her eyes. She tapped her fingers against the dash. “You never told me why you suddenly froze at the tree, then again at the fire.”

The world turned frigid. He drew back. “I didn’t tell you because there was nothing to say. I just got distracted.”

After a moment, she nodded, yet clear suspicion belied the acquiescence. “There you go. We both have secrets, just like everyone else. Let’s keep our relationship professional, and everything will be fine.”

Did she truly believe that, or was she fooling herself as much as him? “I’m not so sure our relationship is professional anymore.”

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