Page 193 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“The sheriff’s office in Parkerville issued an arrest warrant for Megan for the death of Carlyle Shroud. Her fingerprints were found on the poison used to kill him, and her skin fragments were embedded on the rope used to hang him. The police discovered the crime scene in Megan’s motel room as they were there to execute a warrant for her arrest.”
Part of his comment fills me more with dread than relief. The horrid things I witnessed that morning still haunt me, but as the days go on, they’re becoming less graphic. The smell, though, that’s something I’ll never forget.
“The jury will be more sympathetic when evidence of Megan’s murder charges are presented,” Regan remarks. “Adding a murder charge to her extensive medical records will significantly reduce the chance of the jury looking at her as solely a victim. The glasses the DA will give them to wear will now be smeared with dirt, so their compassion will be limited.”
Regina places her hand over my balled one in my lap. “Don’t look so worried, kiddo. The balance of power has shifted back into your court.”
“At Megan’s expense.”
Regina halfheartedly shrugs. “She will get justice, Isabelle, but only when we convict therightperson for the crime.”
As my eyes bounce between the three pairs staring at me in admired sympathy, the knot in my stomach lessens. I’m confident Megan’s killer will be brought to justice. I just need to stop the DA’s finger being pointed at me first.
By the time Ryan and Regina head back to the foyer of Regan’s apartment, half an hour has passed. Much to Ryan’s dismay, I assured him I didn’t require the babysitter Hugo supposedly organized before he rushed out of here like his backside was on fire. He only agreed to leave when I swore on my Uncle Tobias’s grave that I wouldn’t leave Regan’s apartment until Hugo returned. It was a dirty tactic, but it guarantees I wouldn’t step foot outside of these walls without Hugo. I’d never do anything to taint my uncle’s name.
My heart swells when Regina wraps me up in a warm hug. “Once this all blows over, you better introduce me to your sex-on-a-stick. If he passes my stringent list of requirements to date you, you can be assured your Uncle Tobias would have also approved.”
The swelling of my heart increases as do the tears in my eyes. “I will.”
When Regina steps into the corridor, Ryan stands in her place. He’s smiling, but his eyes are brimming with apprehension. “Can I ask you something?”
I nod without pause. He’s stepped over a murky line to help me be granted bail, so the least I can do is answer any questions he may have.
“Were you with Isaac last night?”
My pulse beeps in my neck when I nod.
“Where?”
I clear the jitters from my throat with a quick swallow before answering, “We anchored his yacht a few miles off the Vela De Keys Marina.”
Relief smothers the unease corrupting his handsome face. “Okay. Thank you. That was very helpful.” After leaning in for an awkward hug, he joins Regina in the hallway. “I’ll be in touch the instant we have anything new.”
I wait for them to enter the elevator car before closing the door and returning to the living area to assist Regan with compiling the evidence in my case. There’s enough red tape to keep us going for months. I’m just about to take a seat when a loud tap sounds from the front door. Hugo wouldn’t need to knock as Regan gave him a key, so who else could it possibly be?
Regan’s suspicion is just as high as me. After yanking off her reading glasses, she nudges her head to the hallway that separates the living area from the sleeping quarters. “Go to your room.”
My teeth grit, hating that I’m being treated like a baby, but I follow her demand like a spineless coward. It’s her house, so, unfortunately, it’s also her rules.
My clumpy steps halt when, “Izzy, it’s Brandon,” booms through the door. “Are you home?”
A smile stretches across my tired face when my pivot busts Regan checking her face in the mirror. After dragging a finger across her glossy lips, she pinches her cheeks and rolls her shoulder back. She appears to give herself a mental pep talk before finalizing the last steps to the door to open it. Brandon’s jaw drops as he drinks in her svelte frame, but his cheeks are minus the pink hue he usually gets when flustered. He’s either finally caught on to Regan’s ruse, or Regan needs to up her game.
Although Regan doesn’t issue Brandon a greeting, her eyes happily absorb his body. Upon noticing her vigorous assessment of his physique, Brandon’s trademark lopsided grin pops out from behind Regan’s shoulder.
A giggle bubbles in my chest when Regan removes Brandon’s trench coat without seeking permission. She is as forward as she is beautiful, and it’s a fascinating exchange to watch from afar. A lioness is stalking her prey, and poor Brandon is the deer trapped in her headlights.
Once Regan has Brandon’s jacket hung in the entry closet, he dips his chin in thanks. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure.” Now Brandon’s cheeks bloom. It’s understandable. Regan’s words purred out of her mouth like a kitty.
When Brandon’s begging eyes lock with me over Regan’s shoulder, I join them in the foyer before greeting him with a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
My earlier giggle erupts when he murmurs, “She scares me,” into my ear.
“I heard that.” Regan wanders into the sunken living area, her hips swinging more with every step she takes. “And you should be scared.”
After gathering a stack of documents off the coffee table, Regan enters her office halfway down the hall, but not before one final rake of Brandon’s body. Once she’s disappeared from view, I shift on my feet to face Brandon. His eyes are wide and fixated in the direction Regan just went. I eye him curiously but give him time to appraise the situation. I know what it’s like when I’m zapped into Isaac’s vortex. Rational thinking is always the first thing to go. I’ve often said we’re too similar to ever be a couple, now I’m wondering just how similar we are. Is Brandon about to be trapped by his own alpha?
