Page 89 of The Billionaire's Son

“Why? You were placed on restricted duty.”

“The Bureau cleared it with my lieutenant,” Kelly protested.

“No one cleared it with Internal Affairs.”

She raised her chin. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Brass wanted you out of the field.”

“Yes, sir.”

DiSilva shook his head. “I’ve been ordered to suspend you, Officer Jenkins.”

No way. Kelly stared at the grim-faced IA detective. He wasn’t kidding.

She swallowed hard. “I’m suspended?”

“Please surrender your weapon and badge.”

* * *

THAT AFTERNOON, KELLY moved restlessly around her apartment.

DiSilva had suspended her. He’d taken her weapon and badge.

Nothing she said could dissuade the IA detective. Not the fact that she had permission from her lieutenant, not even the fact that there was zero proof that she’d taken kickbacks. At least the suspension was with pay.

She’d already completed a long run and a brutal strength workout, one she’d pay for later with sore muscles. Out of desperation, she’d even attended a yoga class, which Lana claimed would quiet her thoughts. She was willing to try anything to help her stop thinking about what a disaster her life had become.

Suspended. Unbelievable.

She hadn’t heard from Trey since she’d called him from the scene in Homestead. She hadn’t tried to contact him, either, but why should she? She still needed his car, and what else was left for them to say to each other?

Apparently nothing.

She’d thought he’d want to know about the investigation, if the FBI had managed to interview Caleb, if they’d developed any leads on the whereabouts of Adam. But maybe Ballard had kept Trey informed. There was nothing new to report anyway.

Caleb was still breathing, but barely. The doctors had him sedated and wouldn’t let the FBI near him. Without good intel from Caleb to aid in the search, Adam remained a ghost. The Bureau had checked every location Maria had given them, but so far the kidnapper remained in the wind. Convinced he’d fled the area, they’d suspended surveillance on her apartment.

Her stomached grumbled, so she took that as a clue and walked into the kitchen, jerked open the refrigerator and wrinkled her nose at the odor. Any produce or dairy had gone bad in the two weeks she’d been gone. Now, there was a fun project—she’d dispose of all the rotten food.

She looked under the sink for plastic gloves, but before she could finish snapping them on, her phone sounded. Caller ID revealed Patrice was checking on her again. News of her suspension had spread through the ranks like wildfire.

“Hey, Trice,” Kelly said. “Are you on break?”

“At the Coral Bagel with Sean.”

“Anything going on? God, I miss patrol.”

“It’s pretty quiet today. How long will you be suspended?”

“No way to know.”

“At least the paparazzi should leave you alone. You’re old news since Wentworth issued the denial.”

“What denial?” Kelly asked.

“The Wentworth PR machine issued a release denying any truth to the rumors of a relationship between you and Trey Wentworth. You didn’t know about that?”

“No, I did not.” Kelly slid her back down a lower kitchen cabinet and plopped her butt onto the floor.

“Yeah. Sorry, kiddo.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“It was on all the television entertainment shows last night. They even dredged up old photos of him with his ex and reported he was still in mourning, not yet ready to date.”

“Well, the release is absolutely factual. There is no relationship whatsoever. There never was.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

“Okay, then.”

Kelly disconnected and, still on the floor, stared across the kitchen without seeing anything. She lowered her head and wondered why it felt like her heart was collapsing in on itself. Why was she so disappointed by the press release? There’d never been any chance of a continued connection between her and Trey once Jason regained his memory. She’d known that all along.

Still, a little heads-up from Trey would have been nice.

He obviously didn’t think a warning was necessary, that they’d said all they needed to say to each other.

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