‘Yes.’
‘Would Markus Johnson be prepared to give us a statement corroborating this?’
‘Yes.’
‘Thank you.’ Aiden Flint ended the interview for the recording, leaned back in his chair. ‘Unfortunately, your phone is only going to prove that you called Markus. It’ll tell us when and how long that call was. Markus’s testimony will verify the content of that call.’
‘Can’t you subpoena the content of the call to Markus?’ Maverick asked, growing impatient. ‘He was on the line while she was being assaulted.’
‘We can only subpoena call detail records, showing who you called, when the call started and ended, and which cell tower you were linked to, none of which we have any need for with Nina’s permission to access her phone. To get anything more, a judge would need probable cause to grant us a warrant, and it would probably be a waste of time as phone companies don’t automatically record calls.
‘Unfortunately, in this case, calling 911 from your phone instead of Markus would have helped – 911 calls are recorded and, due to their nature, the transcripts are easier to obtain.’
‘So, basically, it’ll be my word against his?’ Nina asked quietly.
Mav hated the defeat in her tone. He wished he could do something. Anything. Instead, he was useless. Helpless.
‘In my experience, cases like this typically end up being clearer than the physical evidence would suggest.’
Aiden pushed to his feet. ‘I’m just going to grab a bag for your phone,’ he said, and left the room.
The moment they were alone, Linda reached out and touched Nina’s hand. ‘You did an amazing job, Nina. I know it’s hard but try to remember that every time you recount this, you’re simply stating facts from memory. Every time Alexander Cane recounts his side of the story, he’s going to be trying to remember every lie he told. He’ll slip up, and when he does, I will catch it.’
Nina only nodded.
Aiden came back into the room. He held an evidence bag open for Nina, who dropped her phone into it.
‘Come on. I’ll show you out.’ It was only once they were in the hallway that Aiden added, ‘That was a great start, Nina.’
‘I wish I had done things differently.’ Nina shook her head. ‘I could have avoided all of this if I had just been honest from the start.’
Mav linked his hand with hers.
But it was Aiden Flint who said, ‘Maybe. Or maybe you would be going through this exact same thing with severe injuries, having had no time to recuperate.’
‘What happens now?’ Mav asked.
‘Typically, in cases like this, accusations aren’t enough to make an arrest. Alexander Cane came in here with his lawyer, so you can guarantee he already has an answer to counter every question I’m going to ask him. So, we gather all the evidence, and as soon as I find something solid, we take him in. He’ll get out on bail, but optics are everything in a case like this. And you—’ he turned to Linda ‘—kick his ass in court when the time comes. In the meantime, as I’m sure your attorney will advise you, stay far away from Alexander Cane. Do not try and talk to him. Do not go anywhere he might be, including theShadowlandsset. Don’t give him any reason to make another accusation.’ He looked straight at Mav. ‘That goes for you too.’
‘Thank you, Mr Flint.’ Nina tried to smile, but Mav could see how much that tiny gesture took out of her.
‘I’m just doing my job. You’re the one risking everything to do this.’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘Where will you be staying – so that I can follow up?’
‘We’re staying at Nina’s place tonight. And then I’m taking her home,’ Mav said, but he looked to Nina to confirm. When she nodded, he added, ‘We’ll drive up as often as you need us to.’
‘I’ll keep you updated as the investigation proceeds.’ He nodded to them, turned to look at Nina’s new attorney. ‘Help me nab this fucker, Lin.’
Linda smiled grimly. ‘With pleasure.’
She held the door open for them, and it was only once they had exited the police station that the attorney said, ‘Do you mind if I follow you to yours? We should go over everything again, and I should prepare you for what’s in store.’
‘Of course.’ Nina rattled off her address again.
Linda followed them back to Nina’s home in the Hollywood Hills, her nifty Mercedes easily tailing Mav’s Jeep through the dense LA traffic.
In the passenger seat, Nina was completely silent. Her big, brown eyes were vacant and shadowed with exhaustion, her arms wrapped around her raised knees.
Mav knew that there were no words he could give her that would be adequate, no words that would make her feel better. So, he didn’t say anything except, ‘I’m here with you.’
