I knew a few people who wouldn’t mind riding Compton like a Shetland pony at a birthday party, but I could tell Mathers wasn’t one of them. Honestly, I wasn’t either, not that he gave any indication he was into guys.
The cowboy, however, was gorgeous and quite personable. I’d need to observe Jericho Hess more to figure him out, but he exuded confidence and swagger. There was something about him that reminded me of an old soul, and I didn’t say that often.
My grandmother claimed she had second sight, but I didn’t believe that shit. She’d have told me the cowboy was my destiny, and I’d have laughed. I had no destiny. I had the life I was living, and it wasn’t anything magical.
But something about the cowboy led me to believe he wasn’t easily fooled. I found him quite captivating, but that was just a crush. He was unlike anyone I’d ever met.
“Do you have any idea who was in the trunk of your car, Mr. Fitzpatrick?” Compton asked.
I shrugged. “Not a clue. I’m the only person who has the fob for the car, so unless they popped the trunk, nobody could get in.”
Mathers nodded. “Do you currently have a partner?”
“Partner? No, I’m the sole owner of The Fitzpatrick Group. I’ve been a lobbyist for fifteen years, only leaving my former firm to start my own six years ago, and when I started my company, I didn’t have anyone who wanted to go into business with me. I’m a bit of an asshole when it comes to things I believe in. I advocate and lobby for the rights of the queer and disenfranchised, and I give it my all,” I answered.
Officer Mathers smirked. “I’m sorry. Let us be clear. Do you have a lover?”
My breath hitched. It was awfully bold of her to ask such a question. Detective Compton gave me a harsh stare. Was he jealous or disgusted? I couldn’t tell.
Spencer, acting as my lawyer, cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see what Mr. Fitzpatrick’s relationship status has to do with anything, unless you believe this was an act of jealousy by a scorned lover?”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Jericho’s intense stare as he sipped his coffee. His expression was as sexy as any I’d ever seen on a man, but I had no idea what it meant.
“No. I don’t have a steady partner in my life. I’ve got a lot on my plate and no time to give my singular attention to anyone. Do you want me to give you a list of the men I’ve had sex with?”
If the bastards were judging me, I’d give them something to judge.
“Yes.”
Spencer shook his head. “Not unless you have a reason to believe it’s a former lover who is targeting my client. Peopledeserve their privacy. Besides, what about the threats you found in the files you confiscated from his office?”
Spencer gave Mathers an icy stare. The former senator knew his shit when it came to the law, and I was fucking grateful.
Officer Mathers stepped forward and encroached on Spencer’s space, anger written all over her face. “We had a warrant, and the office manager, Mrs. Lambert, gave us the files. She also stayed with us to ensure we only confiscated what the warrant covered. We were only able to seize Mr. Fitzpatrick’s desktop and calendar,” Officer Mathers stated, a bite of anger in her voice.
“I guess that didn’t tell you much. My files are encrypted regarding my clients’ information, and my calendar is useless, which means you have nothing. You’re fishing for any reason to blame this on me and my behavior, so you can fuck off.”
I stood from my chair and went to the kitchen to get another coffee. Jericho stepped over to the coffee maker, putting a pod into the holder before he closed it and took my cup to place under the spout. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better.”
The handsome man nodded and handed me the cup. “Don’t let them back you into a corner.” I took the mug and smiled before I went back into the dining room.
“So, where do we stand? Who was in the trunk of my car? I left it in the underground garage at the office on Thursday night and took a car service home. I took the same service back to the office on Friday morning. I worked a full day on Friday, and that evening, I went out for food. I have several witnesses who can attest to my whereabouts the whole time.”
Detective Compton nodded. “Okay, can we take a look at your phone?”
The senator was quick to object. “No. It appears as if you still suspect my client had a hand in this shit storm. I’d say whenyou come up with a reason why you believe he’s involved in the bombing, then you can get a search warrant for the phone. Are we done here?”
Spencer stood and pushed in his chair, signaling the inquisition was over. I appreciated his take-charge attitude.
Jericho stepped out of the kitchen and walked to the door, opening it with a bright smile. “You can call Mr. Fitzpatrick or his attorney if you find out anything more. Thanks for dropping by.”
Mathers and Compton both stood, Mathers turning to me with an unhappy expression. “We’ll be in touch. Have a good day.”
They left, and Jericho closed the door and flipped the deadbolt, turning toward me. “You okay?”
“Can’t say that I am. I’ve never been accused of murder and arson.” I dropped into my chair and rubbed my temples, attempting to stave off the impending migraine. I was sure it wouldn’t work, but at that point, I was helpless to know anything else to do.
