Page 75

Bishop

I caught Eden as she slumped forward and swung her up into my arms. Nailing Detective Peyton with a glare, I strode past him to the low, hard couch set along one wall and lowered Eden onto it. Her face was pale, eyes closed. I brushed my fingertips over her cheek.

Behind me Captain Jenkins was reprimanding Peyton, but all my attention was on the woman in front of me. She wasn’t out for long. Thirty seconds … a minute at most … and then her eyelashes fluttered, and her lids lifted. A small frown creased her brow.

“Wh-what happened?”

“I think everything finally caught up with you. Can you sit up?” I helped her up and then sat beside her.

“Here.” A hand appeared in front of us holding a glass of water.

I looked up at Jenkins.

“Peyton has gone back to his desk.” He crouched in front of Eden. “I must apologize. You were never meant to be treated like a suspect. The only reason you’re here is to give a statement. Given the circumstances, I believe that can be taken via a phone call some other time. Chester Dulvaney’s death will not be investigated as a homicide, and you are free to leave whenever you wish.” He glanced at me. “Does this clear my debt to you?”

“As long as no one comes sniffing around again.”

“You have my word.”

I nodded. “Then we’re good.”

“I’ll leave you here then. Take your time. You’re free to leave whenever your wife feels ready.”

He closed the door gently behind him, leaving us alone in the room.

“What did he mean?” Eden asked softly.

“About what?”

“He asked if this cleared his debt. What did that mean?”

“I helped him out with a situation a couple of years ago.”

“What is he going to do?”

“Close the case on Dulvaney.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I repeated.

***

Leaving Eden alone so soon after what had happened wasn’t something I was happy about, but there was something I had to do. And I needed to do it fast before the opportunity was lost. But I’d waited until we had been home for most of the afternoon and Eden seemed more settled before I made a decision.

“I have to go out for a couple of hours. I’m going to call Rook and get him to bring Magdalena over to keep you company.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll be okay on my own.”

I shook my head. “It’s not open for discussion. I don’t want you here alone.”

Ignoring her protests, I called Rook, who spoke to Magdalena and agreed to come over within the hour.

When Rook and his girlfriend arrived, I waited long enough to make sure Eden was comfortable being left with them, and then headed out. Rook caught up with me just as I reached my car.

“Where are you going?”

“To tie up loose ends.”

“Oh?”

I glanced at him. “Did you want to come along?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“You can drive then.” I tossed him my keys and got into the passenger side.

“Where are we going?” Rook asked once he was settled behind the steering wheel.

I gave him the address of the hotel in town, tipped my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. “Let me know when we get there. I’m taking a nap.”

“You’re not taking a nap. You just don’t want to explain to me what you’re doing.”

“Good. We’re on the same page.”

“I want to go on record that I think this is a bad idea.”

“Noted. Now drive.”

When we arrived at the hotel, I turned to my brother. “Wait here.”

“I should come with you.”

I shook my head. “It’s best if you stay out here. If I’m not back in twenty minutes, then you can come and rescue me.”

“I don’t like this, Bishop.”

“Nor do I, but it’s necessary.” And with that, I got out of the car and headed into the hotel.

I already knew what room I needed from Deacon’s earlier report, so I bypassed the reception and headed up to the third floor. Room three seventy-two had a ‘do not disturb’ sign hanging off the handle. I ignored it and banged on the door with my fist.

“Open the door.”

It swung open thirty seconds later, to reveal Susannah, dressed only in a hotel robe, which gaped open, revealing her naked body beneath it. She smiled.

“I knew you’d come back.”

“I haven’t.” I pushed past her and shut the door. “What the fuck are you playing at?”

Her smile faltered at my snarled question. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Susannah. You know exactly what I mean. I know everything. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure out that you were behind Eden trying to hire me. What I want to know is why ?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Would I be asking if it was obvious? And close your fucking robe, I’m not interested.”

Hurt flashed over her face, then her lips thinned. “You’re such a fucking asshole, Bishop. I was trying to help you.”

“Help me?” My voice was flat. “Help me with what?”

“Do you remember telling me that you were thinking about quitting, the same way Rook did? That you didn’t see the point in what you did, anymore. The people you were …” she paused and made air quotes with her fingers, “ saving didn’t deserve it.”

I frowned. “I remember telling you that most of my clients were assholes.”

“Exactly!”

“That wasn’t me retiring.”

She waved a hand, rolling her eyes. “The point is, I wanted you to have a client who really needed your help. So, I went searching. Eventually, I found Eden. She seemed like the perfect candidate to remind you that what you do is good .”

“How altruistic of you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “But then you went and married her. What the fuck was that, Bishop? I loved you, and you went and married some nobody with an asshole ex-boyfriend.”

“We were over months before I met Eden, because you lied to me. Which, incidentally, your husband knows about. He hired the same man that the asshole ex hired, only the job was to take me out.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. David wouldn’t do that.”

“You’re sure?” I pulled out my cell. “Why don’t we ask him?”

She glared at me.

“No?”

“Fuck you, Bishop.”

“No, thanks. Been there, done that, didn’t rate the experience all that highly.”