Page 28 of Loving a Billionaire

“And how do we know he’s not lying,” Kurt spoke slower. “Because she threatened him, that would give her more reason to see it through by blackmailing him. And he’s not going to admit being blackmailed, especially because the woman is dead, which he’s smart enough to know that makes him a suspect.”

Talia gnashed her teeth. She wanted to shake some sense into Kurt, regardless of his headache.

“Hamill’s right.” Feakes gave a sharp nod. “Reeder stays on the list.” He moved his attention to the others, beginning to ask them the same question.

Talia tried to communicate her frustration toward Kurt through her eyes, but he wouldn’t look at her for very long. Finally, she bumped against him with her arm.

“Give it up, Russell,” he whispered. “You know I’m right.”

“Actually, you’re so very wrong.” She kept her voice low, too.

“We’ll talk about this later.”

“Yes, we will.” She folded her arms across her chest and focused on Sergeant Feakes. Too bad she couldn’t hear a word he was saying, because her mind was putting arguments together for when she and Kurt were alone. Once she released her frustrations, he was going to wish he stayed home.

As soon as the briefing was adjourned, she followed Kurt out. He reached his office, and nearly collapsed on his chair. Resting his elbows on his desk, he laid his head in his hands.

“Kurt, we need to talk,” she said, sitting on the empty chair by his desk.

“Not now we don’t.”

She huffed and glared his way, even though he didn’t care enough to look at her and see it. “I mean it, Hamill.”

“Talia, while I’m trying to recover from my headache,” he muttered into his hands, “why don’t you go to your own desk and start researching Belle’s Escort Service. Didn’t you hear Feakes? We need to interview them.”

She grumbled under her breath and marched to her desk. At this moment, she was so mad at Kurt, she could... could... Well, she wasn’t quite sure what she would do to him, but one thing was for sure, it wouldn’t be pleasant.

How dare he not believe Austin was innocent? Although a few questions still lingered in her mind, for the most part, she didn’t think he could do it. She’d gotten to know him a little better last night, and he was sweet and caring. Good grief, he was going to actually give her money to help her with rent just so she wouldn’t get evicted, and yet, he hadn’t even known her that well. She hadn’t met anyone with a bigger heart.

She glanced up to see Willy Tyrone giving her a leery stare. This was a man that most people didn’t want to mess with. He was nice looking for a body builder. He never admitted that’s what he did off work hours, but how else would he get his body so buff, unless he took steroids, which she seriously doubted. Two weeks ago, she’d teased him for shaving his head, but now, she rather liked seeing his bald head every day.

She wished he’d stop looking at her as if she’d done something wrong. Obviously, he was taking Kurt’s side in everything.

As she typed the name of the escort service into the computer, her hard keystrokes echoed in the office. Yes, she was upset, and she wanted everyone to know it, especially Kurt. Several listings popped up on the monitor, and yet none of them were in Honolulu.

She drummed her fingers on the desk, trying to think of something else she could do to find Belle’s business, but the only thing going through her mind was Kurt. He was as hardheaded as she was, so how could she convince him Austin should not be a suspect?

Casually, she glanced his way. He was still nursing his hangover headache. He held his Starbucks cup of coffee close and sipped it from time to time. She didn’t feel sorry for him one bit. Not now!

The buzz from her cell phone jerked her out of her angry thoughts and she withdrew the cell from her pocket. When she read who had just sent her a text, her heartbeat quickened with excitement.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I’m not, because I’m constantly thinking about you. When can I see you again? Tonight?

Perhaps she shouldn’t have given Austin her cell number, but she’d had such an incredible evening with him. Because she’d felt he had done nothing wrong, she went against the rules and gave him her number. She just prayed Feakes never got wind of it. Or Kurt, for that matter.

She smiled wide and texted him back.I’ve been thinking about you, too. I’m free tonight. Are you?

Within seconds, he sent back a reply.I’ll cancel all my appointments. Nothing will keep me from seeing you.

Butterflies danced inside her chest, making her feel giddy all over. She didn’t know what to say to him now, but he sent another text only moments later.

Can I come pick you up this time and make it a real date?

Her heart dropped. No. She couldn’t allow that. What if he wanted to come inside her apartment? What if he noticed some of the awards she’d received from being on the task force or those she’d been given while attending the police academy? It wasn’t time to tell him the truth about her identity.No, not yet. I’m not ready for you to see where I live.

Talia, I’ll need to know eventually, especially if I need to give your landlord the money to pay your rent. Besides that, I have another surprise for you.

Groaning, she slunk in her chair. The web of deceit she had begun was growing, and she wanted it to stop. Perhaps she could hide the trophies and awards, and she could also talk to her landlord and explain things about the rent.