Page 96 of Break the Ice

“I’ve requested more details from several people who attended the party that night.”

“Well, I believe I provided as much as possible the first time. My answer hasn’t really changed—I spent most of the night in the banquet hall with the rest of the people attending.”

His brow creases. “But you also met Mr. Hawk in his penthouse suite. Privately.”

“Yes,” I say. “Privately. Briefly.”

“You said you left his suite around 9:15.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s interesting because we’ve checked the security camera footage that was turned over by the Onyx Hotel. There’s two hours and a half of time that’s missing from the tapes. Coincidentally, it’s the period of time Mr. Hawk could’ve been murdered.”

“Excuse my ignorance, detective, but it sounds like you need to address the missing footage with the hotel.”

“I’ve tried. It’s impossible to get an answer from Quigley Blackman’s assistant without a subpoena. Which is in the works,” he answers lamely.

“Then it sounds like you’ll have to wait. I’m not sure what you think I’ll be able to?—”

“As the last visitor of his—according to the footage—I was hoping you could think back to that night,” he presses. He leans forward until his elbows rest on his knees. “If you have any new information to provide, it could be helpful in moving forward with this case.”

“I don’t have anything new to offer. I’m sorry, detective.”

I give him my best polite smile and vacant stare, communicating not-so-subtly that he’s reached a dead end. He concedes with a nod and then stands up from the sofa.

“If you do recall any new information, you have my number.” He stops himself a few steps short of my front door for another thought. “And if you’re in touch with Mr. Blackman, can you please suggest he give me a call? I’d like to speak with him about that missing footage.”

…except he’s dead, so…

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll bring it up to him should I see him.”

The second Detective Gomez is gone, I’m sucking in sharp gasps of air, pacing around my apartment. I go to the wide window that overlooks Alki Beach and distract myself with the soothing waves lapping at the shore.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” I say aloud. “If he’s only just now looking into the missing surveillance footage, he’s so far behind.”

But paranoia slows down for no amount of logic and reason.

Once the wheels start turning, it’s not long before I’m analyzing facial expressions, tones of voices, every last mannerism. I’m combing over what I said and if I could’ve worded my responses in a more beneficial way.

Gomez was still suspicious. Why else would he turn up at my apartment so out of the blue?

The night after Rafe murdered the man he claimed he wants to speak with?

I rub my hands over my face and then tangle them deep in my curls, so frustrated I feel like pulling on them.

“It’ll be okay,” I murmur, breathing slower. “But I need to stay a step ahead.”

My Saturday morning passes with a session at the gym downstairs, a hot shower, and then a light lunch I whip up out of leftovers in my fridge. Jhene video calls me as I combine garlic herb chicken with greens to make a salad.

“You sure you’re okay?” Jhene asks, cocking a penciled brow. She’s on the go, rushing down a crowded street to make it to the Sentinel on time.

“Jhene, you don’t need to keep asking if I’m fine. I promise I’m okay.”

“It’s just… I get this feeling sometimes when you’re keeping things from me.”

“We’re adults. We’re not little girls anymore. We’re best friends, but I don’t have to tell you everything, do I?”

She frowns. “You know by not answering, you’re answering, right?”