Page 92 of Owned By a Billionaire

Caroline’s attractive voice worked wonders for my mood, which up to now had been stuck somewhere between dread and bemusement.

“Is something the matter?” I asked.

She exhaled loudly. “Why aren’t you here?”

“Have the police been around?”

“I’ve just left the station.”

“More questioning over Crisp’s death?”

“Yes. However, I discovered something that has elevated me somewhat. I just wish you were here.”

“What was that?”

“I prefer not to speak of it over the phone. But suffice it to say, a heavy weight has just been lifted. When are you coming home?”

“Soon. I promise, my love.”

“Am I that?” she asked, sounding girlish and arousing at the same time.

“You’re more than that, Caroline.” I paused. “I’m here now with Elise.”

“Oh?” A long pause followed. “Is she still attractive?”

“Not to me. There’s only you. There will only ever be you. I want to be with you forever, and I hope you still want that.”

“I want to be buried with you, Mark.”

Tears pricked my eyes. It had been an intense week. “I better go. We can talk tonight on Zoom?”

“Oh, I would love that. Send me the time, as your night is my day.”

“I will.”

“They won’t lock you up, I hope,” she said.

“No. They’ve got nothing on me.”

She huffed a bit. “We are talking about Australian authorities here, aren’t we?”

“What else?”

“Let’s talk later.”

“Okay, my love.” I ended the call and took a deep breath, drawing in the sea air, as the afternoon sun burned my face.

I knew how leaving England the morning after Reynard was found dead looked. The police had called and left a message, but I hadn’t been able to bring myself to call them back.

Chapter 30

Caroline

“Thepolicehavetakenmy fingerprints, and they think I did it,” Manon said, pacing around in my office.

I fluttered my hand. “Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

She fell into the armchair. “It’s freaking me out. I’m still dealing with the aftershocks of seeing him lying in that pool of blood.”

---