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Emma studied him so fiercely he felt like an insect in a jar.
“Your fingerprints aren’t on the floor-plan document,” she said. “It was a good call for Detective Monroe to check that. The question is, how did your prints get on the knife if you didn’t use it to kill Jessica?”
“I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t,” he said. He was relieved his prints weren’t on the floor plan, but it was the knife that was the damning evidence.
“That’s what we need to find out,” she said like she was making a mental note. “I’ve discussed the terms of your bail with Mitch, and it’s a good arrangement. You’ve obviously made a good impression on him, because even though it doesn’t look like it right now,” she said, her eyes sweeping over his cell, “they are looking out for you.”
Lachlan nodded. “He’s honest and as clean as they come.”
Emma nodded, taking a seat next to him. “And Detective Monroe?”
“Same. And she’s good,” Lachlan said, eyeing Emma carefully. He wasn’t sure where this line of questioning was coming from.
“She has an impressive track record. Why were you picked up from her house? A relationship between the two of you may not help your case,” Emma said, raising an eyebrow.
“I was sleeping in her guest bedroom. We were working the case when the storm hit. It wasn’t safe to drive, so she offered me a bed,” he said, leaving out the fact that he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind since.
Emma’s eyes narrowed. “So there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
Lachlan sighed. “I wouldn’t exactly say that, but I slept in her guest bedroom and I’ve been arrested and sitting in this cell since. I’d hardly call it a developing relationship.”
“Call it what you want, but I want it to end—or be put on hold—until your name is cleared. I can’t risk any bias with this case—not when your fingerprints are on the murder weapon,” she said without a hint of apology.
Lachlan nodded. “I’m not sure she’s interested in dating a man accused of murder anyway. I can’t imagine that’s her thing.”
Emma looked to him, the corner of her lips turning up. “Accused, not convicted. There’s a very big difference.”
Mitch entered, and Lachlan knew by the look on his face he wasn’t coming with good news.
He stopped at the cell door, making no move to unlock it. “Lachlan,” he said, then cleared his throat like he was forcing the words from his mouth, “your charges are being changed. Forensics confirmed traces of another blood type on the knife. The blood has been matched to Kiera Johnson. You are now being charged with the double murder of Jessica Mella and Kiera Johnson.”
Lachlan’s mouth fell open, and he felt like the world stopped. The silence seemed to pulse in his ears.
“Breathe,” Emma said quietly—for his ears only. “I’d like a full forensics report of the blood analysis by noon,” she said to Mitch.
Mitch nodded and left while Lachlan tried to breathe.
“If you didn’t do this, you’re being framed, and it’s a very clever play,” she said. “The question is, who has had access to your house?”
“No one,” he said, then corrected himself. “Well, I had some painting done when I first moved in... and some cleaners I hired to do a deep clean of the house when I first moved in.”
“That’s it?” she asked, making notes on her cell phone.
“I’d have to go through my bank accounts. I’ve had an electrician come through, I had someone fix a roof tile, maybe a few other things... but I was home for all of them. I don’t leave people unattended in my house. I’m ex-CIA, not an idiot,” he said, shaking his head as anger fueled his words. “I’ve made so many kills. Do you really think I’m stupid enough to leave my print on a murder weapon and then throw it over the fence into the neighbor’s yard? Come on, that’s insulting.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, she smiled. “That’s why I’m here. The director took one look at the evidence, called me, and said, ‘Get him out of this mess. He’s innocent.’”
The anger vanished like her words were a dimming switch and she’d just turned it down.
“But, what we know doesn’t matter. I have to make sure there is reasonable doubt and right now you look guilty as hell,” she said. “And just because you didn’t let someone into your house, doesn’t mean they haven’t been in your house. A novice didn’t do this, that much is clear, and that means they could’ve been in your house without you knowing. Every security system can be breached, if you know how.”
He nodded reluctantly.
“I’m going to speak to Detective Monroe. I want her brief on this case, and the leads she’s looking at. She’s your key to freedom,” Emma said.
BETHENNY
“Detective Monroe?”
