Page 24

After washing my face, I walked out of the bathroom and almost ran into someone in the hallway. I swallowed as the imposing figure of Giovanni Tyrell took up my vision, two men in suits flanking him. I could see the resemblance to Roman in his thick dark hair, the same strong jaw and hooded eyes, except there was a glittering menace in Giovanni’s stare. I felt like I was looking into the future. Would this be who Roman turned into?

“Mr. Tyrell,” I said courteously, with a small nod.

He stared me over and I felt like I was being inspected. “So,” he said, his voice like gravel, “you’re Montgomery’s only daughter. Pretty young thing. You look like your mother.”

My blood turned to ice. “How did you know my mother?”

He smiled and it was cruel and hard. “I watch the news. The senseless death of a state prosecutor was a tragedy. I heard you were going to follow in her footsteps until she died. Instead, you became a cop, like your father.”

He knew so much about me. Too much. Giovanni Tyrell was a snake. He was trying to shake me. I would not let him.

“Do you need an escort out of the building?” I asked with a firm voice, indicating that this conversation was over.

He didn’t move. He didn’t even blink. “It’s a dangerous job, being a homicide detective. You never know what lies in wait for you.”

I lifted my chin. “Are you threatening me?”

He laughed, but the sound was hollow. “I don’t threaten. Merely an observation from a concerned citizen. You wouldn’t want to wreck that pretty face of yours in, say, an accident. Or a tangle with the wrong end of a knife.”

I gritted my teeth. “Excuse me. I must get back to work.”

“You people haven’t discovered yet who killed my son. I doubt you’ll find out who killed this Torrito fellow.” Before I could answer he turned, his two bodyguards flanking him. I remained frozen for a moment as I watched him walk towards the elevator.

“Are you, okay?” Espinoza stepped to my side. I hadn’t noticed him approaching.

“Fine,” I said automatically.

Espinoza stared after Mr. Tyrell as the elevator doors closed in front of him. “Don’t let him rattle you.”

I shook my head. “I’m not rattled.”

“Like a desert snake.” Espo turned to face me, concern on his brows.

I looked away. I didn’t know if I could stand any more scrutiny. “How did the interview go with Tyrell Senior?” I asked, changing the subject.

“He backed his son’s claim, of course. As did his two goons, but…”

“They’re paid to do whatever their boss tells them to.”

“Have you…” Espo paused, the hitch in his voice making me flinch. “Have you ever met Roman Tyrell before?”

Keep a straight face, Julianna.“No. Why?”

“When you walked in, for a second he looked like he’d seen a ghost.”

I shrugged, hoping that Espinoza couldn’t hear how loud my heart was banging in my chest. “I don’t know.” It was the first time I’d lied to my partner. The ground had turned into a slope and I was starting to skid.

I had no choice but to lie. If it got out that I had spent a night with Roman Tyrell, my career would be ruined. I’d be forever tainted. No cop would ever trust me again. And my father… my heart squeezed. The new police chief would be publicly humiliated. He’d be so disappointed in me… I couldn’t bear it. I could not let him find out.

“You seemed rattled in the interview.” Espo wasn’t letting it go just yet.

I shook my head, trying to remain calm. “Just…very little sleep. I need a large coffee.”

Espo made a small noncommittal noise in his throat. “How did you know about his plane ticket?”

“I…er, I checked the flight registers for his name. Found one leaving direct to London at ten p.m. Sunday,” I said. More lies.

“What made you do that?”

“Just a hunch.” I hated lying to him. What choice did I have?