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“No need.” He headed toward the door. “They won’t be here long.”
“Who won’t?”
“The FBI.”
She stiffened. “Nine o’clock on a Friday night is a little past regular office hours.” Suspicion darkened her eyes. “What do they want with you?”
“There are some questions surrounding the Gold Heart statue Waverly’s will be auctioning.”
“What sort of questions?”
“Whether it’s the same one stolen from Rayas.”
“Is it?”
Her distrust cut him like the sharpest dagger. “No.”
Walls slid into place around his heart. The guarded sensation was familiar and reassuring. Talking to Elizabeth about his mother had been like unlocking a vault sealed for centuries. Some things were meant to remain undiscovered.
“Why is the FBI talking to you?”
Roark knew he’d lose ground with her if he brushed off her question. “Mallik Khouri accused me of stealing the statue from the palace.” Annoyed with the interruption and frustrated by the suspicion that shadowed Elizabeth’s eyes, he flung open the door. Voice dripping with sarcasm, he asked, “How can I help the FBI?”
“We’ve had some new developments regarding the missing Gold Heart statue we need to discuss with you tonight.” Special Agent Matthews smiled at him from the hallway. Her lips bore a predatory curve.
Behind her, Agent Todd slumped in his ill-fitting overcoat, his expression sullen, appearing as if he’d rather be home on such a miserable night.
“Has the thief been caught?”
“Let’s just say we’re pursuing a strong lead.” Agent Matthews’s gaze flicked into the apartment and spotted Elizabeth. “Sorry for the interruption.” She was anything but. A cat playing with a mouse. “May we come in?”
They were wasting their time. Until the statue arrived in America, they had no reason to arrest him. The theft had taken place in Rayas. That crime was for the authorities in Rayas to prosecute. However, trafficking in stolen merchandise would interest the FBI. Good thing he didn’t do that sort of thing.
“Have you spoken to Dalton Rothschild?” Roark asked, still blocking the agents from entering the loft. “If someone stole the Gold Heart, he would be my lead suspect.”
“Funny,” Special Agent Matthews said. “That’s exactly what he said about you.”
“We’d like you to come in and tell us where and how you came by the statue Waverly’s is planning to auction.” Special Agent Todd didn’t sound anywhere near as cordial as his words. They wanted answers and fast.
“I can’t do that.” The statement had more bite than he intended. Usually he was happy to cooperate with the FBI, but they’d interrupted a very promising interlude and reinforced the wall of distrust between him and Elizabeth. Roark exhaled and forced down his irritation. “I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement.”
“How convenient,” Agent Matthews drawled. “Let’s go see if we can find something you can discuss.”
“I’m not telling you anything.”
Agent Matthews gaze moved past him. “Perhaps your fiancée knows something. Shall we bring her in and see?”
Roark ground his teeth. He didn’t want Elizabeth involved in this mess. “I’ll get my coat.”
Triumph flashed in Agent Matthew’s eyes. “You do that.”
Although Elizabeth had remained in the kitchen, he had no doubt that she’d heard the entire exchange. The way she wouldn’t meet his gaze as he neare
d spoke volumes.
“I should head home.”
“Stay,” he cajoled, cupping her face. “I’ll explain everything when I get back.”
