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My cheeks strain under the growing smile. “So, I’m not perfect. But I promise, you’re safe with me.”
He shakes his head, a short burst of laughter escaping. “I’d never be safe with you, Amelia Quinn.”
Chapter 36
Amelia
I’d never be safe with you? He’s falling for me. At least that’s how I’m choosing to interpret his words since he refuses to elaborate. And I’m going to prove it. Right now.
“Why were you following me yesterday?” I ask. He never answered me when we were in the interrogation room, but I need to know if he’s on my side or not. Or if it’s only a job to him.
He was about back to the desk, but my words stop him. His jaw works, but no words escape.
I step closer to him. “Were you following me to protect me, or were you suspicious of me?”
“It’s my job to be suspicious of everyone,” he says easily.
That answer isn’t good enough for me. I need to know. “Do you think I killed Justin?” I ask. I hate how desperate I sound. How hopeful that he’ll immediately say no. I know I ramble and joke when I should be serious, but I need him to know I had nothing to do with this.
He rubs his forehead. “I’ll admit. When I saw the jewelry box and heard the old man call you Darla, I considered you a suspect for a moment.”
I can’t decide whether that hurts or not. One part of me wants to be upset, but the other part of me is laughing at the thought that he thinks I could do something like this.
“The jewelry box was my grandmother’s. I found it a couple of weeks ago in my parents' safety deposit box. I didn’t want to part with the last thing I got from my parents. That's why I was acting weird.”
He nods. There are still questions in his eyes, but he doesn’t voice them.
“And Gary has early-onset dementia. I befriended him when I moved in,” I continue. “So, now that I’ve confessed my secrets, do you believe I’m innocent?” I step closer to him.
He hesitates for long enough that I back away. “I know you're innocent…of this,” he says, dragging a hand through his hair and stepping around me to shut the laptop. He scoops it up like he’s preparing to leave. But I’m not done with him yet. This time, I’m getting answers.
“What am I guilty of?”
He turns slowly, his eyes meeting mine beneath hooded lids. A warm sensation grows in my stomach. I wait, but he says nothing. I can feel the weight of the words begging to escape his lips and I silently plead with him to do it, let it all out for once. But then he clears his throat and the moment is gone.
“There’s something I didn’t tell you.” He shoves a hand in his pocket.
Dread sinks into my stomach. “What?”
“Liam is missing.”
I blink. “You lost him?”
“Not me, technically. But yes. Yesterday before the museum was hit, he ditched the team following him. I've suspected that he’s been following you, so I trailed you to find out.”
“He’s been following me?” I screech.
He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m not certain, it was just a hunch, but it makes sense how he knew where you lived.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I smack his chest.
“I didn't want to worry you.”
“Is that why you brought me to this hotel? Is this a trap? Are you trying to lure him in to kill me?” I hit him again, what an awful despicable man.
He grabs my hand before I can hit him for the third time. “Staying at a hotel was your idea, remember?”
“What do I know? I’m going to die, he’s going to kill me.” That’s it, I’m running away. Where’s my bag?