Page 52 of Phoenix Rising

They had planned on using their comm devices, but this was better. “That would work. Thanks.”

Terry glanced at one of the screens. “He’s on his way now.”

Christian retreated to the bathroom, leaving the door cracked so he could hear the conversation. When a knock sounded, Terry called for him to enter.

“Yo, Terry. What’s up, dude?”

“Come on in and have a seat, Raphael.”

“Ooo, it sounds like I’ve been called to the principal’s office.” When Terry didn’t laugh with him, the bartender quickly sobered. “Terry? What’s up?”

“Where were you yesterday after six p.m.?”

“Oh, yeah, well, I wasn’t feeling well, man.” He patted his stomach. “Food poisoning or something. I had to call in sick.”

“So, you were home then?” Terry prodded.

“Yeah, praying to the porcelain god, if you know what I mean.” He chuckled.

“Are you aware there was a break-in at the resort yesterday?” Hunter asked, his voice hard and unyielding. It was apparent he had experience sweating a perp.

Raphael eyed him. “Are you a cop or something?”

“Or something,” Hunter agreed. “Answer the question.”

Raphael tossed up his hands. “Nope. I had no clue. I wasn’t here, remember? What was taken?”

Terry ignored the question. He was good at this too. “Raphael, you are going on record right now confirming you were home sick last night?”

“There’s a record? Heck, man, I thought we were having a conversation.” When no one else smiled, he quickly sobered. Then he fidgeted in his seat. “What’s going on?”

“Do you need me to repeat the question?” Terry demanded.

“Man, what’s wrong with you, Terry? We’re buds. We play basketball together. Don’t you believe me? It’s what I said, isn’t it?”

Terry picked up a remote and turned to one of the monitors. He hit play and zoomed in on a guy wearing a hoodie strutting across the lobby, the date and time stamp clearly visible.

“That could be anyone,” Raphael scoffed.

The man in the video turned around, and Terry paused the tape. “Still going with that argument?”

Raphael swallowed. “Fine, that’s me. I was here last night. I admit it. Happy?”

“You admit to breaking into one of the suites and damaging property,” Hunter stated.

Raphael jerked his head back. “What? No.” He mumbled something under his breath.

“Speak louder, Raphael,” Terry ordered.

He huffed. “I said I was here with a woman, okay? I met her in her room.”

Christian’s mind suddenly flashed back to the lady in the lobby. God, he hoped she wasn’t the one Raphael had been with . . . and why it bothered him, he didn’t know.

“What’s her name?” Terry asked.

“No idea,” Raphael claimed. “Abigail or Alicia or Alice. Names weren’t important, if you know what I mean.” He wagged his brows.

“I’ll need her room number to verify your story.”

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