“Detective West didn’t have time to give me any specifics. You mind if I ask what’s been going on?”
Might as well tell her.If she worked closely with Eric, she was bound to find out, anyway.
Charlie began talking, sharing almost everything that had happened since she and Derek had reconnected. She was careful not to divulge anything about Caleb’s blackmail scheme, only that Derek had finally convinced him to sign the papers.
“So, your boyfriend, Derek. He’s Detective West’s brother, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And Derek has been protecting you since you and your husband split?”
Charlie found the question odd. “Not really. I mean, since coming back to Dallas, there hasn’t been any reason for him to.”
“What about what happened to your boyfriend’s car?”
“A detective with the NYPD went by Caleb’s place that night and he was home. The police here found no evidence linking him to that crime.”
“I see.” The other woman seemed to ponder this for a moment before speaking again. “Charlie, forgive me for asking, but how has Derek been acting since you two came back to the city?”
“What do you mean?”
An uneasy feeling began to seep in, and Charlie found herself hoping Eric would come back in the room soon.
Leaning her elbows on the table’s smooth surface, Detective York linked her hands together in front of her.
“From what I’ve heard, Detective West’s brother used to be a SEAL, and now he’s an operative with R.I.S.C. They do a lot of covert ops for Homeland, but they also provide bodyguard services. Correct?”
Alarm bells started to go off inside Charlie’s head. “So?”
Charlie knew her tone was defensive, but she was starting to question the detective’s true motives for being in here with her.
She shrugged. “I just know the type.”
“Thetype?”
“You know.” Detective York leaned in a little closer, acting as though they were just a couple of girlfriends chatting over a bottle of wine. “Alpha males with a hero complex.”
Charlie felt her spine straighten. “Derek isn’t like that.”
Sure, he had an Alpha side, but only when it was needed. And he’d spent years fighting for his country, so of course, he was a hero. But he didn’t have a herocomplex.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s not.” She put her hands up defensively and sat back in her chair. “I’m just saying, guys like Derek have an innate need to protect. To save those they perceive as being weak.” Detective York paused again before adding, “The thing is, sometimes those same guys get bored or become insecure. When that happens, they’ll actuallycreatesituations just so they can come in and save the day.”
Turning her eyes into narrow slits, Charlie let her anger show. “You think Derek’s the one who’s been doing these things? That’s crazy. He would never hurt me like this. Besides, I was with him when his car got trashed. Plus, who the hell burns down their own house?” She didn’t give the other woman a chance to answer. “No.” She shook her head. “No way.”
“Think about it, Charlie. You’re in Dallas for two weeks with no ex-husband drama. You’re on your own two feet again with your own place. You’re getting ready to open what’s almost certain to be a successful business.”
This woman knew a lot more about her than she’d originally let on.
She played me.
“So?”
“So,” York emphasized the word. “Maybe Derek got scared.”
Charlie scoffed. “Of what?”
“Of your new-found independence. He saves you from your abusive husband and brings you back here to be with him. But instead of you relying on him for everything, you take off on your own. I’m curious, where is he staying, now that he doesn’t have a home of his own anymore?”
