“Who is that?” Carter pivoted to look at her father.
Amanda touched his cheek, and moved him to face her. “It doesn’t matter. What does is it’s about time you got here.” She tugged on his shirt and yanked him into the house.
THIRTY-FOUR
Amanda heard Carter’s phone vibrate on the nightstand and felt him kiss her cheek before he slipped out of bed around one in the morning. She would have called out goodbye, but she was down for the count. Even now, in the passenger seat of a department car on the way to DC at nine-thirty, it was a good thing she wasn’t the one driving. At least Trent looked far more rested than she felt.
“How are you doing over there?” he asked.
It was unsettling he read her so well. It’s like anytime her mind drifted, he knew it had left the present moment. She had a firm grip on a take-out cup from Hannah’s Diner. The coffee was long gone but somehow just holding it helped keep her eyes open. “I’m just tired.”
“Nah, there’s more to it. We were home early last night.” He glanced over at her, and their eyes met. “Oh.”
He seemed to have read her mind again, but she spelled it out anyhow. “Carter came over.”And before that there was a weird incident with my dad…She’d leave that out of her summary.
“I guess that explains it.”
“Trust me. It does.” No offense to her late husband, but she had mind-blowing sex with Carter. She’d feel accurate in saying he was the best she’d ever had. Memories from last night crept in and had her cranking the A/C. “The coffee’s making me hot,” she offered as an explanation.
Trent said nothing, but his facial expression tightened. Soon he was pulling off the highway and making his way down city streets to Gabay, Finch & Earnest.
After he parked, she set her cup in the console and got out of the vehicle. This firm was more impressive than Sharp & Associates, housed inside a large building and spread over four floors.
The reception desk was long with sleek lines and chrome. Two women sat there wearing headsets. One was speaking on the phone, but the second one greeted them.
“Welcome to Gabay, Finch & Earnest. Can I help you?”
“Detectives Steele and Stenson. We have an appointment with Howard Gabay.”
The young woman looked at her computer, and a few seconds later, said, “Yes, I see that. I’ll let him know you’re here. If you wanted to take a seat while you wait, please do so.”
“Thank you.” Amanda backed up and walked over to the seating area. Her phone pinged with a text, and she checked it. The message was from Carter.
Sorry I had to leave in the night. Hope you slept well. You earned it. xo
Just his words had her catapulting back to their bodies entwined and tangled in her sheets. His warmth against hers and?—
“Detectives?” A rotund man with gray thinning hair was walking toward them.
“Yes. Detectives Steele and Stenson,” she said. “And you are?—”
“Howard Gabay.” He held out his hand, and she shook it. Then Trent did the same. “This way.” Howard waved for them to follow.
After what felt like a mile of hallway, they arrived at a large office. It was outfitted with a couch, two chairs, a desk, and lovely views of the Potomac and the Key Bridge.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable.” Howard sat on one end of the couch and crossed his leg, resting his ankle on his other knee. “I heard about the situation going on with Dominique. It’s crazy.”
That’s one way of putting it…But how much did he know? “I’m not sure how much you’ve heard…” She left it dangling for him to fill in while she sat on a chair, and Trent sat in one opposite her.
“Her real estate agent was murdered in her home.” Howard tilted his head, as if silently inquiring if there was something he’d missed.
“Yes, last Friday night. But I’m sorry to say there’s even more to this.”
“Well, I figured there must be for you to want to talk to me.”
“Good instinct.” The man blushed at her compliment, and she continued. “We believe Dominique was the intended target.”
All the flush left his cheeks, but he remained silent.
