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He rose immediately and stalked toward the front of the guesthouse. He peeked through the curtain near the door. “Cops,” he muttered.
She’d crept up behind him. “We figured they’d show up, sooner or later.” Though Alina had been praying for much later.
He grunted. “Was hoping for a phone call first.”
Her hands twisted. “Maybe they found the ‘boss’ guy?”
Midas glanced back at her. His expression told her that he didn’t think that had been the case. At all.
“Maybe,” she repeated stubbornly. She was trying to be positive and not give in to the nerves that wanted to shake her body apart.
The knock came again. More demanding this time.
He flipped the lock. Opened the door.
Detective Joyce Meriam stood on the threshold. Her partner was right behind her. Alina’s father hovered on the edge of the small porch. But her dad wasn’t alone. Alina recognized the well-dressed, fit man with the salt-and-pepper hair who stood at his side. Bradford Wells, chief counsel and lead partner at Wells, Mayo, and Abernathy. The two lawyers who’d come to the hospital last night? They worked at the law firm. But Bradford was one of the three founders.
Her father had clearly brought in the big guns.
“Midas.” Joyce inclined her head toward him. “I see you are still on bodyguard duty.”
Alina didn’t stiffen but she felt that dig. Bodyguard. A reminder that Midas had lied. Her chin angled up a notch. “He’s the best in the business,” Alina returned as she stepped up to Midas’s side. “I want the best.”
Joyce pursed her lips. “Quite the change from last night.”
“We cleared the air,” Midas returned flatly.
“Uh, huh. I’m sure you did.” Her right hand went to her hip, and the movement pushed back her jacket to reveal the holster beneath her arm. “Alina, we’d like for you to come with us.”
Her father announced immediately, “You don’t have to go anywhere with them, Alina! You are under no obligation to see the bodies.”
Bodies? Her gaze darted from her father to Joyce.
“We’d like for you to officially ID the men in the morgue. Confirm that they were the individuals who abducted you last night.”
Alina’s arm brushed against Midas. “I only saw the redhead. I never saw the other man’s face.”
“I gave you pictures of them both, detective,” Midas groused. “ID’ing them should be a snap.”
Joyce sent him a grim smile. “That you did. But having the actual victim ID the men would be very helpful.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Your lawyer can come along, of course.”
Bradford sniffed. “As if I would leave my client alone without representation.”
“And your bodyguard. You can bring him, too.” It was Calvin who’d added that part. “Certainly wouldn’t want you going anywhere without him at your side.”
“Where she goes, I go.” A flat response from Midas.
They wanted her to see the bodies? “I…”
“Your help is vital to the investigation.” Joyce shifted her weight. “A firm ID is the first step for us. Then we can backtrack through the lives of these men and find out who they were working for. The ID won’t take long, I assure you.”
Was there a choice? She wanted to find their boss. She wanted to cooperate. Alina released a long breath. “Okay.” If this would help find the man behind the attack, yes, she’d do it.
“I want this kept out of the news.” Her father’s voice was as grim as his expression. “I don’t want Alina’s abduction being tabloid fodder. There is no need to release her name to the press. She’s a victim and should remain anonymous.”
Calvin scratched his chin. “That’s not exactly the way these sorts of investigations tend to go.”
“It’s how I told the mayor it would be going when we had breakfast together this morning.” Her dad arched one eyebrow. “And when I spoke to your supervisor at the police station, I told him the same thing. I want the press learning as little about my daughter’s involvement as possible. We’re cooperating, but you will do your part, too.”
