I hid a smirk, hoping the camera hadn’t picked up her eye-roll.
A few seconds later, the front door opened. A middle-aged woman in a crisp skirt suit appeared in the doorway.
“You can come in.” Her expression was professionally blank, her posture rigid. “I’m Mr. Phelan’s assistant, Natasha.”
“I’m Keira. And this is Dean.”
Natasha stepped aside to let us in. The interior of the house opened up into a dramatic vaulted entrance that made me tilt my head back to take it all in. Chandeliers made of antlers hung from the ceiling, not unlike the ski resort lodge in Silver Ridge.
Natasha led us into a sitting room. Deep burgundy leather couches sat arranged around a coffee table made from what looked like a single slab of wood, polished to a mirror shine.
“Mr. Phelan will be with you shortly,” Natasha said, then disappeared.
Keira and I looked at one another. Communicating silently. There were no cameras in sight here, but it was wise to be careful.
Fancy place, Keira’s eyes seemed to say.No expense spared.What a showoff.
Be careful, I tried to convey back.Don’t underestimate him.
She smiled.
Less than a minute later, Donny Phelan made his entrance. He strode into the room in a light blue cowboy hat, a diamond stud winking from his ear. His jeans looked fresh from a high-end boutique, paired with a thin t-shirt with the wordArmanisubtly embossed across the chest. If you could call that subtle.
“Mr. Phelan. Thank you for seeing us.” Keira’s tone was polite, even apologetic. I was impressed with her acting skills. “Wasn’t sure if you would remember me, but?—”
“Deputy Marsh. Of course I remember you.”
I studied him as he approached, wondering if this was the man who’d ordered the attack on Keira.
“I heard about what happened to you. Just terrible.” Phelan looked at her arm in its sling, and then his gaze continued to slide over her in a way that had me tensing. “But I suppose you make a lot of enemies as a police officer.It’s a risky job.” He paused, his smile sharpening. “A lot for a young woman like you to handle.”
Keira blinked and glanced away. She was being careful, like she was supposed to, but now anger flared hot inmychest.
Fuck this guy for saying shit like that to her.
“We’re sorry to interrupt your day and come unannounced,” I said.
Phelan focused on me. “And you are? I didn’t catch your name.”
“Dean Reynolds.” I stepped forward, holding out my hand. Then, on impulse, I added, “I’m a fan of your show.”
Phelan’s entire demeanor changed, his chest puffing up. “You don’t say. Always a pleasure to meet a fan.”
We shook hands, and I forced myself to grin, hoping my face wasn’t revealing too much. Such as, the way I wanted to plant my fist right in the center of his smug expression.
Stick with the plan.
“We were hoping for your help,” I said. “I understand you were at the same bar and restaurant as Keira on the night she was injured. We were hoping you might’ve seen something, anything, that could point us toward a lead.”
Phelan tilted his head. “Sounds like the sheriff hasn’t made any progress.”
Keira shifted beside me. “Youdidrefuse to answer Sheriff Douglas’s questions.”
Phelan narrowed his eyes at her. “On the advice of my lawyers. That’s all.”
“Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind talking to us,” she countered. “Unofficially.”
I put a hand on her arm. “Keira and I are here as civilians. Just fellow residents of Hart County, asking for your assistance.”
