Page 7 of The Sole Suspect

The gleaming glass tower of Harrington Development Corporation pierced the sky, a stark monolith that seemed to mock the charming brick and wood facades of our Historical District. As Penny and I ascended in the elevator, my palms grew clammy against the cool metal railing.

Could Blake Harrington be involved? His reputation for crushing small businesses, the recent vandalism, the aggressive push to buy out shops in our district—the pieces clicked into place, yet something still seemed out of alignment. My fingers traced one of the campaign pins in my pocket, its metal edge sharp against my skin.

A nagging question wormed its way into my mind: where exactly did Dominic belong in this puzzle?

The gentle ‘ding’ of the elevator reaching its destination startled me from my thoughts. The doors slid open to reveal a sleek, modern office space. A receptionist greeted us with a practiced smile. “Can I help you?”

I cleared my throat and stepped forward, mustering every ounce of confidence I could. “We’re here to see Mr. Harrington. Leo Sterling-Hart and Penny Lee.”

The receptionist’s perfectly manicured eyebrow arched. “Do you have an appointment?”

“Not exactly, but?—”

The only reason I’d gotten through at Vertex was because Dominic had spotted me. I supposed I needed to start scheduling ahead—though that would ruin my strategy of catching people off guard.

Penny cut in, his voice dripping with charm. “We’re from the Historical District Preservation Committee. It’s urgent we speak with Mr. Harrington about his upcoming project.”

I shot Penny a look, both impressed and slightly terrified by his quick thinking. The receptionist’s fingers hovered over her keyboard, uncertainty flickering across her face.

“One moment, please.” She picked up her phone, murmuring quietly.

My heart raced as we waited. I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, praying our bluff would work.

After what felt like an eternity, she hung up and nodded. “Mr. Harrington will see you. Fifth door on the right.”

We managed to keep our composure until we were out of earshot.

“Historical District Preservation Committee?” I whispered.

Penny winked. “Amazing what a little creative truth-telling can do.”

I shook my head, torn between admiration and anxiety as we approached Harrington’s office. This was it. No turning back now.

We opened the door to find ourselves in a spacious corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Downtown Millcrest. The sharp, contemporary aesthetic ofHarrington’s office immediately reminded me of Dominic’s workspace at Vertex. My stomach twisted with a mix of emotions at the thought.

Blake Harrington rose from behind an imposing desk, his smile dazzling. His dark brown hair was perfectly coiffed, not a strand out of place, and his tailored navy suit hugged his athletic frame in a way that screamed both wealth and power.

“Welcome!” he said, his voice warm and rich. He exuded an aura of easy confidence, his pheromones filling the room with a potent blend of sandalwood and amber, undeniably alpha in nature. “What can I do for Millcrest’s finest today?”

While objectively pleasant, Blake’s scent lacked the complexity that drew me to Dominic’s distinctive blend of pheromones. I found myself unconsciously leaning away, my omega instincts oddly unresponsive to what should have been an appealing fragrance. The proximity to another alpha’s pheromones stirred an unexpected longing in me. My omega craved the unique, enticing fragrance that belonged only to my alpha.

I pushed the feeling aside, reminding myself that Dominic was notmyalpha. I redirected my thoughts to the task at hand.

I retrieved my cell from my pocket and presented the same photo I’d shown Adelaide earlier. “Mr. Harrington, we need to talk about the recent vandalism to campaign materials in the Historical District. I’m sure you’ve heard about it by now?”

Blake’s smile didn’t waver, but something flickered in his eyes. “Of course, a terrible business. Please, sit.”

We settled into plush leather chairs as Blake perched on the edge of his desk, his posture casual yet commanding. “Shameful behavior, really. I hope they catch whoever’s responsible soon.”

“We wondered if you might have any insights into who might be behind it?” Penny asked, leaning forward.

Blake raised an eyebrow. “Me? I’m afraid I don’t know any more than what’s been reported. Why would you think I’d have inside information?”

I met his gaze steadily. “We spoke with Councilwoman Fairfax earlier. She mentioned that the trouble started around the time you announced your candidacy.”

A shadow passed over Blake’s face, so quickly I almost missed it. “Are you implying something, Mr. Sterling-Hart?”

“Not at all,” I said smoothly. “We’re just trying to gather all the facts. Your campaign has generated a lot of excitement... and controversy.”