“I took over this company and pushed Chris Vidal out. That was my goal, and it’s now behind me. I don’t have any reason to even think of him now, aside from when Ireland mentions him.”
“But apparently, you and…”—Jang paused to flip through her notepad—“…Alina Rurik were the only two people who knew Ireland was going to be leaving the event early.”
“That’s incorrect. Ireland gave me no indication that she was accepting my invitation. I had no idea that she was on her way to meet me until after she was taken.”
“We couldn’t find any record of flights booked for either you or Ireland,” Vega said.
“I’m a pilot with my own aircraft,” Ronan explained. “If she’d shown up at Teterboro, she would’ve been added to the passenger manifest.”
“Did you tell anyone that you expected or hoped that Ireland would be traveling with you?”
“My housekeeper, so she could prepare for a possible guest.”
Jang studied him. “You must’ve been fairly certain that Ireland would say yes.”
“I was hopeful. As I said, I’m invested in building a relationship with her.”
“You think Alina Rurik could do something like this to her best friend?” Vega queried.
Jules gripped his shoulder again. “He can’t speak for someone else.”
“I’m asking his opinion,” the detective countered.
“He’s not a consultant for the NYPD.” Jules crossed his arms. “Nor is he qualified to speak about anyone else’s state of mind.”
Ronan set his forearms on his desk. “As I said before, I don’t know anyone capable of this.”
“Including the other members of your family?” Jang pushed.
“Especially not.”
“How about your father?”
Ronan arched a brow but otherwise remained still. “He’s far removed from my day-to-day life, as I’m sure you know.”
“Do you know Michael John Miller?”
The lack of segue between the questions was designed to trip him up, he knew, and so his returning look was as severe as the ones the detectives were directing his way. “I know he was one of Ireland’s abductors, thanks to the news. Butnon, I don’t know him.”
“Miller was previously incarcerated in Angola,” Vega said, too casually.
Ronan’s palms grew damp as he linked his fingers together to keep them immobile. He knew coincidence was viewed with suspicion, and his father absolutely did not need to be pulled into something entirely unrelated to him. Especially when they were so close to unearthing what they needed to reverse his wrongful conviction. “Very few inmates ever get out of that place.”
“Detectives,” Jules drawled, laying his accent on especially thick. “Ronan has told you he had nothing to do with Ms. Vidal’s kidnapping. He’s emotionally and romantically involved with her and would never cause her harm. And he’s stated that he doesn’t know anyone capable of harming her, either. Unless you have pertinent questions, there’s nothing left to be said.”
“Is your father aware that you’re dating Ireland Vidal?” Vega asked, focused on Ronan.
“It’s not a secret,” he answered.
“When did you last speak with him?”
“Thursday.”
“Did you tell him that you were inviting Ireland to travel with you?”
“Non.” Ronan resisted the urge to tap his foot. “As I said before, I told only my housekeeper.”
“What’s her name?” Jang asked, writing as he answered. “Would Marcelle tell anyone that Ireland was possibly visiting you? Any other staff or friends? Family members?”
