Page 98 of Owned By a Billionaire

She broke away, her eyes shining with emotion. “Thanks, Grandmother. You’re my hero.”

We shared a touching smile, and I took her hand. Yes, she’d become my favorite, all right.

Chapter 31

Mark

ThepolicestationinSydney overlooked the harbor, which wasn’t unusual for the city. At least the panoramic sea views were one pleasure I’d extracted from that trip, along with clean air, sunny skies, and soft sand to sink my feet into.

Nevertheless, I missed England like I would an erudite, occasionally cantankerous, and witty friend. I also missed Caroline like I could never have imagined possible. Before meeting her, I’d always identified as self-contained and comfortable alone.

The constable directed me into a room. “Step in there, please.”

A man in a suit arrived, mumbled his name, turned on a tape, and charged straight into it. “You left England when you were expressly advised not to.”

I looked into his eyes. “I’m not charged with anything.”

“No. But you were present on the night of a murder.” He glanced down at his notes. “At an event hosted by the Lovechilde family, of which you are affiliated as a partner to Caroline Lovechilde. That is correct?”

I nodded.

“You were required to provide DNA samples and have your fingerprints taken, but you fled for Australia the following morning, I believe.”

“The ticket was booked. I wasn’t about to lose my seat.”

“It’s a red flag for the authorities, you leaving in such a hurry.”

“As I explained, I booked the ticket prior to the event.”

“I’ve been instructed by the London authorities to arrange DNA and fingerprints.” He pinned me with a lingering stare, looking to profile me, I imagined.

I scratched my arm where I’d been ravaged by mosquitoes. Humidity and mosquitoes were other things I didn’t miss about Sydney.

“You are a prime suspect, you realize?”

Shrugging it off as if he’d just accused me of a traffic infringement, I opened my hands. “I imagine there were many guests in attendance who qualify as potential suspects. Reynard Crisp wasn’t exactly well-liked around there.”

The detective eyeballed me again, another long and hard stare, hoping I’d show something. I didn’t. The only thing making me antsy was Elise playing games with me by refusing to sign the divorce papers.

Finally, he said, “Okay, that will be all for now. You’ll have those samples taken in a moment, after which you must report your movements.”

“I plan to return to England at the end of the week,” I said.

He nodded. “That will be all for now.”

After having a cheek swab taken and my fingerprints stamped, I left with a head full of drama.

Elise had demanded I see her in person, despite my suggestion that from this point on, I would communicate via a solicitor.

The legal bill was another matter. Caroline had insisted I use that generous credit line she’d extended. While my former identity might have been able to bury his head in a book, now that I’d divested myself of that charade, this whole kept-man arrangement didn’t sit so well.

I stepped into a pub, bought myself a cold pint of beer, and sat on the balcony so I could soak in some sun and enjoy the postcard view of the rippling harbor.

A huge cruise ship was heading toward the port, and I fantasized about being on it.

When did life become so complicated?

Just as that thought drifted over me like the gliding yacht on the water, a couple of heavily tattooed men pulled up at the table next to mine.

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