Page 39 of Final Vendetta

“I’ll let you know if I find something,” he stated as we stepped outside, the California sun warming my skin.

“Thank you.”

He extended his hand toward me and I took it in mine, shaking it briefly. Then he turned and started up the driveway.

But he only made it a few steps before facing me once more.

“While I’m here, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“About?” I drew out, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of my mistrust of law enforcement in general or because something about this guy in particular didn’t sit right with me.

“The night of Ms. Prescott’s attack a few months ago. It’s my understanding you’re a part owner of the club where it happened.”

“I’m more of a silent investor. And I fail to see how that relates to last night’s break-in.”

“Just humor me. You came to her rescue. Did you not?”

“I did,” I answered somewhat reluctantly.

“Why were you in the alley?”

“I saw a man approach Imogene in the club and her body language suggested something was off. When I noticed her follow him down the rear corridor, I trailed her into the back alley. Which is where I came across her being attacked by another man.”

“Who you ended up killing.”

“He had a knife to her throat and had already drawn blood. I did what I had to in order to protect her.”

“And then you took Ms. Prescott to the hospital?”

“She fainted. I wanted to make sure she was okay. It was a good thing I did, since she actually had a minor concussion.”

“How long did you stay?”

I wanted to tell him to call my lawyer if he hoped to continue this line of questioning, but I didn’t want to do anything to make him suspicious.

“A few hours. Once Imogene was clear of the various tests they gave her and I knew she’d be okay.”

“What time do you think you left?”

“I don’t know. Maybe two or three in the morning. Why?”

“Are you aware that a body was found on Mr. Pierce’s boat? And it belonged to the man who Imogene followed out of the club before she was attacked, Benjamin Astor?”

“I may not be well-versed in police investigations, but if a body was found on his boat, perhaps he had something to do with it.”

“William Pierce has an alibi for the estimated time of death. He was with Ms. Prescott at the hospital all night, a fact corroborated by the staff there. Can you tell me where you were between the hours of three and eight in the morning after you left the hospital?”

“In bed.” I maintained steady eye contact so he couldn’t detect even a hint of deception.

I was glad Henry subjected me to intense interrogation techniques before I started down my path of revenge. At first, I told him it was unnecessary, but he insisted, claiming it might help me out of sticky situations.

Now I was grateful for it.

“Can anyone corroborate this?”

“Doubtful. Before I started seeing Imogene, I lived alone. I do have a security system installed at my house, complete with cameras. They’ll show me arriving home. I’m happy to provide the videos for you.”

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