Page 48 of Power Games

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“Knife?”Charles repeated, frowning.

He hadn't often used his kitchen. Izzy hadn't either. Out of the two of them, he was the better cook, but Charles hired a housekeeper who cooked for them five times a week. When they didn't eat her food, they'd mostly gone out to restaurants.

He knew what knife the detective was talking about, though. There had been a block of wood with six knives stuck inside it. He'd bought it himself. Izzy had hated the thing.

"I used one on Friday morning to cut some bread." He shrugged. "I can't be absolutely certain I would have noticed, but I think they were all there."

Charles didn't have an obsessive problem, but he did notice things out of place. A pen missing on his desk, a pair of shoes that had been moved.

Daniel Walton wrote something on his notepad while his partner, a young woman with a ponytail, paced behind them, observing everything in his office.

He still felt like he was being treated like the prime suspect, although they'd had to clear him publicly.

Charles did his best to stop paying attention to the other policeman.

"Anything else?"

"No, thank you for your assistance. That was about it."

But the officer remained in his seat.

Charles filled the silence. "Can I give you my mobile number? In case you have any other questions. I definitely want you to catch whoever did this."

He was probably laying it a little on the thick.

"That would be helpful."

Walton accepted his card. Then, he said, "My wife mentioned your company has had difficulties."

Charles shrugged. It was the least of his problems right now.

"We'll be back in the swing of things in no time. My PR team is ready, and things should go back to normal after I make a statement."

The man nodded. "I just wanted to apologize on behalf of the MPD. Our approach wasn't as discreet as it could have been."

You think?

Charles managed to swallow the words. "Understandable on all accounts. Don't worry on my behalf, sir. You just focus on finding the person who murdered my wife."

"Will do. And if anything comes to mind...."

"You'll be the first to know."

The detectives left and he breathed out, his head tilted back on his seat.

He’d only had a couple of minutes to himself before his secretary walked in. "Sir? I have a Ms. McNamara for you."

He frowned. "Here or on the phone?"

Why would she have called the office rather than his personal phone?

"Here, sir."

"Let her in, Carmen. Any time, unless I'm in a meeting." He paused. "Even if I'm in a meeting."

He hadn't seen her for three days. Not since Saturday night, on his way back from the precinct.

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