Page 73 of Not That Complicated

“I did,” I said.

“Ray. When I walked in you were threatening lawsuits all around, and on top of that, announcing plans to commit a major crime.”

I blinked at him.

“The arson,” he reminded me dryly.

“Right. Are yousureit’s arson if I do it with no intent to claim insurance?”

“It’s against the law to set fire to houses. Buildings. Property in general. I include your car.”

“Why would I set fire to my car? I love my car.”

“No clue. You’re more of a loose cannon than I initially thought. I didn’t expect to hear you planning to burn down your house, and yet here we are.”

“I suppose there are rules for the disposal of personal property,” I mused. “What if I wanted to, I don’t know. Buy a sledgehammer and knock it down?”

Liam reached out and tested my bicep, made a considering noise. “You’ll be doing it for a while.”

“I’m fuelled by anger and despair right now. I doubt it’d take that long.”

“Sue Jasper and use the money to hire a demo crew.”

“You’re the only one who hasn’t told me not to sue him.”

“Yeah. I’m also the only one he hasn’t got fooled.” Liam looked over my shoulder, his face stern. I glanced back. Jasper was gawking anxiously out the window, eyes darting from me to Liam and back.

Hmm. Was it me or was there a vibe?

“He’s not quite the little angel he looks,” Liam said.

Jasper was six foot three—same height as Adam. He was beautifully built, had close-cropped dark hair and wore a camo print t-shirt that saidSWEAT!!!on it.

Neitherlittlenorangelsprang to mind.

To my mind, at least. I couldn’t speak for Liam.

Jasper did look like he was freaking out, though. I could relate. I waved. It was meant to be friendly, but I missed the mark. Jasper paled further and sat down with what must have been a heavy thump, since I saw the table shake.

By now I’d finished my coffee and my headache was back. “Can I go?” I asked Liam. “I have work to do and I’ll be honest, this has been quite a shitty morning.”

“Nope.” He took my arm, steering me along beside him toward his car.

I hauled back and dug my heels in. “Hell, no. I am not getting in your car.”

“What? Why? I’m going to drive you home.”

“What do you mean,why? Because tomorrow I’ll pick up the paper and it’ll say, LOCAL CORPSE-FUCKER TAKEN IN FOR FURTHER QUESTIONING. I know Jasper is still watching.” I hitched a thumb at the coffee shop behind me. “I’ll walk, thank you. Also, as I’d rather not go home until you’ve actually done your job properly, I’ll be walking to the hotel.”

“I’ve got some more questions for you.”

I chewed my lip. “I don’t want to go to the station again. Is this formal?”

“No. We can do it anywhere, although I’d prefer not the middle of the street. Private would be better.”

The hotel had a business centre, Adam had said. I didn’t fancy it, though. Right now, the hotel was my safe place. The business centre might not be private enough, and I wasn’t going to invite Liam up to my room, although the expression on Adam’s face would almost be worth it.

“Fine,” I said reluctantly. “Let’s go to my place.”

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