Page 80 of Kiss of Deceit

Harry scoffed, looking a little happier now that Kole relented. “Let’s just go inside and get this over with.”

“How did they get here?” I asked as Harry opened the door for us. “I thought the road was closed from the snow.”

Harry paused, holding the door halfway open. “Helicopter. There’s a spot near the factory where it can land if the weather is clear.”

I glanced at Kole. “I didn’t hear one land.”

“Maybe because you’ve actually been getting sleep,” he answered, leading me inside. “You slept like the dead last night.”

Harry arched an eyebrow. “Well, shit. I see that you two worked out your issues with being roommates.”

“Dani. I need a word, please.”

My gaze went to the woman, who was standing by Martha’s reception desk. The woman’s cold voice matched her frosty exterior. Her black pantsuit was wrinkle-free, making me wonder where they were staying since there was no motel here. No way she wore that in a helicopter and still looked so put together.

“Umm, sure,” I said uneasily as the air thickened with unknown tension.

Kole dropped his arm from me as I strode away, following her to the back where Miles had gotten stitched up. Once we were alone, her icy blue eyes trailed down my body before she met my eyes again.

“My name is Susan Harris. I’m Natalie’s replacement.”

“Replacement?” I repeated, shock flaring through me.

She nodded briskly. “We worked at the same office in New York. When the clinic alerted us of her untimely death, I was asked to come. I expect you to get me up to speed on everything. You did work for her, correct?”

“Yes,” I answered slowly, still trying to wrap my head around her words. This wasn’t how the world worked. Who hired Natalie? The clinic? Why would they need a replacement so soon? “Only at the police station. She also was a therapist here, but I wasn’t a part of that.”

“I’m aware.” She tossed her leather gloves on the closest gurney. “You have a file on the murders?”

“Harry has it.”

“We will be working close together, and I expect honesty. If I can’t trust you, then this won’t work.”

Her words were like a slap, and my dislike for this woman grew. “I take this internship very seriously,” I forced out, keeping my voice polite.

She leaned closer, her lips tipping up in a knowing smirk. “Oh, I’m sure you do. I know this internship is important to you, Dani Henderson. Because I know where you’ll go back to if you fail.”

Ice chilled my veins. “What?”

“You didn’t think we’d check up on you to make sure you’re behaving? Do the work I assign to you, and we won’t have a problem,” she said, stepping away. “Go get the file from Harry.”

My feet remained glued to the old tile floor, her words echoing in my head. No one here should know the details of my internship. I didn’t fucking like it at all. Was this a test to see if I was doing what I promised when I signed the contract to come here? My heart pounded painfully in my chest as I stared at her.

“Did you not hear me?” she asked, folding her arms.

I rushed away, my breaths coming short and fast. I fucking needed this internship. It was my fresh start. But now I had a feeling I was under a microscope. If this woman found out—or had any hint—that I was involved in Lucas’s death, I was so screwed. All of this would have been for nothing. I’d be right back where I was before I came to Winterlake. Somewhere I promised myself I’d never go back to.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

kole

I poppedthe cap off the bottle before handing it to Harry, who was sitting on the stool in front of me. He snatched the beer, gulping down half of it before setting it on the bar. He let out a sigh, running his hand through his long beard. He looked as exhausted as I felt. The meeting at the clinic lasted over two hours where the assholes in the suits asked for every single detail of the murders.

All we did was give them everything we knew. No new evidence. They didn’t offer any advice. They expected us to do the work while they did nothing.

“Tell me how you’re already here and Dani is still stuck at work,” I said as I flicked open my small pocketknife to open a new box of napkins.

“She doesn’t report to me. Natalie was her boss, and now that Susan woman is. I’m sure they won’t stay there much longer.” His lips quirked up. “Got a thing for the intern, don’t you? I’m guessing you’re glad Fiona fucked up the housing arrangements now.”