I blinked, then blinked again. “What? No, I…” I shook my head, hoping it would clear up this web of a mess she’d word vomited all over the place. “None of that is true.”
“None?” Detective Ridgeway pulled out the chair across from me and sat. “You didn’t have a disagreement with the governor?”
“No, I didn’t. And for the record—one, I’m gay, so I’d never go on a date with her or a woman in general. Two, I was there as Prince Davaros’s date, and three, if you’d tell me the time of death, I’m sure I have an alibi for it.”
Detective Peters sat beside Ridgeway. “We were told you were there as Prince Julian’s guest, but that you and the governor had a tête-à-tête that was heated.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I was never, not once, alone with the governor. She was rude to me publicly. Nothing horrible, and that was it.”
“Where were you the night she was killed?” Detective Ridgeway asked.
They’d yet to give me the time of death, but I knew she was killed the day after the dinner. “Well, let’s see if I can answer that. You’ve yet to tell me the time of death.”
“Around ten thirty in the evening.”
“That’s easy. If it was the night following the state dinner, at that hour I was with my friends Hannah and Mark. We were watching TV and devouring room service.”
“Your friends, that would cover for you?” Peters raised a brow.
“I also answered the door for room service. Perhaps check with the hotel staff,” I snapped.
Ridgeway was about to say something stupid, I was sure, when an officer entered the interrogation room. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation out here.”
Peters and Ridgeway stood and followed the officer out. Once the door closed, I pressed my forehead to the table. “This was not on the vacation itinerary.”
“I don’t care about your rules!” I knew that voice, and my head shot up. “Get out of my way, or face the crown for judgment.” Julian was here. Five seconds later, the door swung open and he was filling the frame.
“Wynn.” He moved swiftly and the second he was beside me, he sat and cupped my face in his hands. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” I was breathless, overwhelmed by the protective nature in which he’d stormed into the room.
“I will get this sorted. Lawyers are on the way, and you’ll be out of here shortly.”
“Your Highness, you can’t take a murder suspect out of here.” Detective Ridgeway stood akimbo on the other side of the table.
Julian never let go of my face but turned his to glare at the detectives. I couldn’t see the full brunt of his expression, but I saw enough to know it would freeze magma in its tracks.
“Lamdera law states I absolutely can.”
“Only the king can invoke spousal or partner immunity.” Peters pursed her lips. “You’re not king yet.”
“It’s not about immunity. He didn’t do this,” he growled, released my face, and stood. “He is my partner and therefore treated as if he were part of the royal family.”
“But he’s not, Your Highness,” Ridgeway combatted.
Just then, three people in suits entered the room; it was certainly getting full in here.
“Detectives,” one of the suits said. “We’d like a moment with our client, Mr. Carter.”
The detectives were unhappy—they wore that emotion on their faces easily—but they honored the man’s wishes and left. I watched as the three (I assumed) lawyers sat across from me. Julian took the chair beside me.
“Mr. Carter, I am Louis Henry, and this is Adele Cobalt, and Winston Thyme. We’re here as legal representation for you at the request of Prince Julian.”
I smiled at Julian, whose ice-cold demeanor softened slightly once he looked at me. “Thank you.”
“It’s my fault you’re in this mess.”
I snorted. “That’s ridiculous. You had nothing to do with this—any more than I did.”
