Page 48 of The Innovator

Thoughts swirled in my head at who could have killed Adonis. He was an ass, so he probably had enemies everywhere. But I wanted to check the surveillance near Natalie’s home to see if he’d been snooping around.

“Can you tell me where you were on this date and time?” The detective pointed to a sheet of paper.

The time of death placed me inside Prime One. “I can get you videos of me sitting at the bar in a restaurant at the time of his killing.”

“That would be helpful.” The detective wrote something on his notepad.

“Why did you ask me to come down to the station?” I leaned back in my chair. “Am I a suspect?”

“We received an anonymous tip saying you had an encounter with the deceased days before his death. Did you threaten him?”

“I did. He harassed my friend. I was defending a woman who was terrified of him. She works with Commissioner Conner. Her friends and the shop owner can also verify Adonis harassed her, dragging her out of the shop. Istoppedhim.”

Detective Evans nodded. “If you can leave their names and number, I’ll verify.” He pushed the pad of paper over to me.

“I’ll have Greg send you the info later. At the moment, I’m too irritated to jot down notes. How did the tip come to you?”

“I can’t answer that.”

I leaned forward with my elbows on the table, and my fingers tented together. “Detective Evans, I’ve donated a lot of money to several departments in the city, yours included. Why? Because I want to improve this City. I’ve got business here, and I intend to keep it flourishing. Do you think I’m stupid enough to ruin my career for some lowlife?”

“The city appreciates your donation,” he said. “Consider this interview as adiscussion, that’s all. It had to be done so it can go on record.”

He ruined my birthday party with my favorite people to drag me out for a meaningless discussion? I wanted information. That was the only reason I showed up.

“Someone is trying to sabotage my reputation, and I don’t appreciate it. Did the tipster call it in? Email it?”

Probably sensing my irritation, he answered. “Via snail mail without a return address.”

I understood everything had a process. A tip came into the office about a prominent entrepreneur. Duty called for the office to check out the clue. Still, it annoyed me. Were these cops looking at every detail? Did they look for fingerprints on the envelope?

Could Rafael have killed his bodyguard to frame me? For what? I didn’t know Rafael. I had my bodyguard follow him for a few days after that event at the café. Andrew didn’t see Adonis anywhere near Natalie’s apartment or doing anything suspicious. But he could’ve been extra careful. Maybe I should have had Andrew survey for a longer duration.

Who had killed Adonis? I didn’t care about his death. I was concerned about the person who was framing me.

Another obstacle in my way. I didn’t need this fucking shit.

“I’m working on an important project to increase tourism in Providence. I’d appreciate you clearing my name from this case as soon as possible.” I forced a smile at him. “You’ll get the video and the contact details by the end of the day.

“There’s nothing for you to worry about, Mr. Wu.”

If only that were true. I wasn’t worried about the police finding clues that tied me to Adonis’s death. Who was after me? Why?

“All communications go through me.” Greg rose from his seat. “My client doesn’t need negative publicity. A stain to his name would be a stain to the City of Providence.”

Detective Evans stood up as well. “I understand.”

My head throbbed, and I needed a damn vacation. All the shit flying around me was too much. I needed to get away for a few days to clear my head.

When I arrived home, I dropped onto my couch and saw Natalie’s text inquiring if I was all right. Seeing her message eased the tension in my body. My headache subsided as I replied to her message, telling her not to worry.

Something happened during the party today—my extreme jealously toward her and Arrow. It was pathetic, but I couldn’t help it. I’d never been this jealous over a woman. I didn’t like her being like that with anyone but me.

What claim did I have to her, anyway?

Something had to change, but I was too exhausted to think about it tonight.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

---