Page 144 of Treason's Temptation
“If this is youhaving me, I’d rather have myself!!” She complained before her heels hit the pavement.
Inside, Lorenzo’s wife and father sat rigid in the waiting area. When she noticed me, Evina jumped to her feet, eyes stained with tears.
“Where is my husband? What did you do!” she yelled, being held back by Lorenzo Sr.
I stepped in front of Navie, steady, deliberate. “You only speak when I tell you to. Not them.”
She nodded slowly, entering the room where the detectives circled, pushing and prodding. I guided her every step with a firm nod when they asked something basic.
“When was the last time you saw Lorenzo Strathmore Jr.?” Detective Vinson asked.
I nodded, and Navie replied, “At The Fontana,” not giving them any additional details they didn’t ask for.
“Isn’t it true you and Lorenzo argued before he disappeared?”
“She’s not answering that. Next.”
“If you’re innocent, why won’t you answer our questions?” he asked, speaking directly to her, hoping she’d abandon my advice.
“You’re running out of time. You might want to stop with these intimidation tactics and ask some important questions.”
“Do you know anyone who might want to harm Mr. Strathmore?”
“Ask his wife,” she muttered hastily.
“We’re asking you.”
“What exactly was the nature of your relationship with Lorenzo Strathmore Jr.?”
Blue turned to me, hoping I’d tell her not to answer, but I had to think like her lawyer and not her man. I nodded, knowing it would hurt, but legally it was the safest option to control how the narrative was framed. That was important, especially in a high-profile case like this.
“We were engaged.”
“For how long?”
She stared unblinking and mouth tight.
“A year.”
“Why did the engagement end?”
“Thereasonher engagement ended has nothing to do with whether she’s tied to Lorenzo’s current activities or the Strathmores’ accusations. We’re done here.”
“I’m afraid that’s not the case,” the grin on his face told a different story.
“I need to talk to somebody making more than sixty grand a year.”
“Right this way, counselor, but they’ll tell you the same thing.”
“Sit tight and don’t say a word other thanlawyer,” I directed, leaving the room ready to tear to lay into whoever they sent my way. This was bullshit, and everybody in here knew it.
“Freshly signed warrant,” Detective Vinson sighed, before I could even ask.
“A warrant with no body, and no murder weapon?” I asked with a raised brow, “You’ve already falsely arrested my client once. You’re really going to make the same mistake twice.”
“Your campaign is hanging by a thread. You wouldn’t want to sink what’s left of it with corrupting a murder investigation on your girlfriend’s behalf.”
“You keep playing with me, and I’ll be a stay-at-home husband, because she’ll own the city and everybody in it when I’m done.”
