Page 38 of Blood & Heartache

“It’s been a long night, and I was kept waiting for quite some time,” Detective White stated.

“Then it’s best if you get right to the point and tell me why you’re here,” I countered.

White certainly didn’t appreciate my snark, but he’s the prick who showed up in the middle of the night. I took a seat in one of the armchairs, knowing if I needed to react quickly, having the arms to push off would be helpful. Hooking the cane on the back of the chair, I saw him frown. It wasn’t one of concern as if he was curious as to why I had the damn thing, but more of an I-just-ruined-his-theory type of frown.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Mayor Wilson was shot in his home earlier this evening. He survived and is at the hospital undergoing surgery,” White informed me.

“I hadn’t heard, but that’s simply awful. Is there something I can do to help? Is that why you’re here?” I asked, figuring it best if he believed I knew nothing. “Wait, what about his wife, Grace? Was she attacked as well?”

“Mrs. Wilson is unharmed,” White shared. “Are you close with the mayor and his wife?”

“Thank goodness for that. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Wilson yet. I have, however, met the mayor before… a few days ago, in fact. He came to Caprioni Enterprises for a meeting with my father that I’d been asked to be part of. You see, I just moved here from Apria a little over two weeks ago, I think. My father was working on catching me up to speed so I could help him at work since he discovered he had heart disease.” I sniffled and covered my mouth with a hand for a moment before I continued, “I’m sorry, that had nothing to do with what you asked me. You’ll have to forgive me. I seem to be a little scatterbrained after my father’s sudden passing and the funeral.”

Brushing fake tears off my cheeks, I gave White a weak smile before speaking again, “What was it you needed?”

Detective White shifted in his seat as if not completely sure himself. “Other than the meeting you had a few days ago, have you been in contact or met with Mayor Wilson since then?”

“No, we’re having a gathering here tonight announcing that I’ll be taking over my father’s company. I believe he was on the invite list, but I’m unsure if he responded or not,” I shared. “Clearly, he will be unavailable, but I’m not sure I understand what that would have to do with what happened tonight.”

“When we were interviewing the mayor’s staff, it was brought to our attention that you and the mayor might have an intimate relationship,” White said, folding his hands together as if trying to keep them from showing his agitation.

I let out a little laugh. “What a thing for someone to say. Detective, I can assure you in no way am I involved in any kind of relationship with the mayor, let alone sleeping with him. The man is married and a political figure. How stupid do you believe I am? As a single woman trying to make her mark in a male-dominated business world, doing something like that would destroy any reputation I’d developed. If there were a woman who’s willing to take a risk with a man like him, I’d speak to his female secretary. Liu, what was her name?” I asked, shifting my attention away from the detective.

“Melony, Melony Carmichael, I believe is her full name,” Liu answered.

“Yes, that’s the one,” I said, clapping my hands together, turning back to White. “She was the driving force behind the whole take-back-the-docks and crush-the-gangs movement. I believe she shared some sad story about her brother being killed.”

“You learned all this in your meeting?” Detective White asked.

“Sir, do you believe we’d just give someone millions of dollars and not ask what it’s for? I don’t care if it’s the President himself who’s asking for it, I’d want to know what it was going to be used to create,” I shot back. “Whoever your source is, they’re mistaken as to my involvement in this matter.”

“Then you won’t mind me asking you where you were this evening between nine and eleven?” White demanded.

“Not at all. I was here at the house working. Many things have been on hold regarding my father’s business, leaving me with much to catch up on. My bodyguard was with me the entire time, and if that isn’t enough, the rest of the household staff can also confirm I never left the estate once the entire day,” I answered.

“I see, and would you allow me to look at the security tapes to confirm that?” Detective White asked.

“Not without a warrant,” Liu cut in. “There is no reasonable cause for you to need access to that. We aren’t looking to prevent you from the information you need. By all means, question her bodyguard or the staff that’s present. Doing so will be more than adequate to prove her alibi.”

“Then, if you could give me a list of all the people working tonight so I can follow up, that would be appreciated,” Detective White bit out. “Since your bodyguard is already here, do you mind if I speak with him alone?”

“Liu, as his lawyer, will remain, of course, but if you have no further need of me, then I’d rather like to return to bed,” I answered, rising, then paused. “If you should need anything further from me, you can do so by addressing your questions to Liu. I don’t have time to deal with detectives who don’t bother taking the time to investigate things before barging into someone’s home in the middle of the night demanding to ask questions that could have easily waited until morning.”

Detective White shot to his feet. “I’d watch your back, Ms. Caprioni. I’m not one of the many cops who have been bought by your dirty money to look the other way. Caprioni Enterprises is a shield you hide behind, but I know what you really do. If there were one person in this entire city who wouldn’t want the crackdown on drugs and more police presence on the docks, it would be you. Play up the innocent grieving daughter all you want, but you’re nothing more than a mobster's daughter keeping the seat warm until the next boss is chosen.”

Leaning forward on my cane, I smiled at the man. “Ah, there’s the man my people have been warning me about. I was beginning to think they were playing a joke on me the way they made you sound so threatening because what I was seeing was nothing but a desperate man in an expensive suit. I wish I could say it was nice to meet you, but I don’t like to lie to people with whom I have zero interest in cultivating a connection with. I find it’s best to be brutally honest so they aren’t surprised when I need to step on them to get what I want. Enjoy your conversation with Ralph, I’m sure it will be riveting.”

With a sassy little finger wave, I straightened my back, held my head high, and walked out of the room, trying not to limp much.

Chapter 17

Once I was out of the sitting room, I found Braxton waiting for me with the wheelchair. The throbbing pain that pulsed through my leg made me want to kiss the man for being so fucking thoughtful.

“Is this you trying to show me what life will be like if I let you do what you want?” I asked, letting him wrap an arm around my waist and help me the last few steps to the chair.

“No, this is me looking out for my boss and a woman I’m growing rather fond of. We all knew we couldn’t talk you out of using the wheelchair before, but I was hoping you’d reconsider after,” Braxton explained, pressing a kiss to my temple as he took up the spot behind me to push. “Back to the conference room?”

“Yes, I don’t want to go too far with that detective still in the house. He’s talking to Boykov right now with Liu making sure that asshole doesn’t push for more than he should. Not that I think Ralph would ever say something he shouldn’t, but who knows what that detective has up his sleeve,” I muttered.