‘What’s your relationship with Tilda Dent like?’
That’s when she knew.
His neck reddened and his head turned to the hotel and the penthouse suites.
‘Erm, she’s fine.’
He didn’t elaborate so she tried another way in.
‘Are you aware of the staff corridors behind the hotel?’ Kelly asked. She didn’t expect his answer.
‘Yeah, it’s how I got around.’
‘Really? Why did you need to get around without others seeing you?’
‘Erm, I was seeing somebody who I shouldn’t have been.’
He smiled but it was more of a grimace, knowing he’d been caught out. But Kelly also noticed a creeping energy boost inside him. His body wouldn’t keep still, and she couldn’t help thinking the juice had done it to him. She’d almost completely disarmed him.
‘Who?’
‘I don’t really want to say.’
‘OK, you’re not under arrest, but if it becomes important later and you withheld information then that might be a problem for you.’
He stared at her. ‘Will it be confidential?’
‘I can’t guarantee that.’
He looked up to the hotel and she followed his eyes. He gazed at the suite in the middle with a balcony; it was designed like some kind of castle with the lord’s manor at the top. But it wasn’t a lord who was checked into that suite. It was Tilda Dent’s room. Her hunch had been correct.
Paul blushed.
‘So, you’re screwing your boss? Did Jamie know?’
‘Kind of.’
‘Kind of? Did it cause a problem between you?’
‘No, not at all, we always used to share… I mean, oh, God.’
‘Thanks for being honest. Were you sharing Tilda?’
‘No, he wasn’t interested.’
‘Didthatcause a problem?’
He shrugged. ‘I have no idea.’
‘Is that where you were Tuesday evening when Sandy couldn’t find you?’
That bewildered look again.
‘She said she thought you were outside?’
‘Oh, it was a hot day.’
‘It was,’ Kelly agreed. Too hot for boots, she thought. ‘When did your boots go missing?’
