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“Ariel?” he asked.
Crap. She’d spaced out. Ariel appreciated Beth’s warning to be careful who she spoke with, but she almost wished her friend hadn’t said anything. It was messing with her. “Coming.”
Ariel followed the buff man to the back. Both of the clients they walked past smiled at Preston, making it seem as if he was well-liked.
Preston held open the door labeled,Office. “Have a seat.”
He grabbed a towel from a stack on the cabinet and wiped his face and arms. At least he didn’t smell, which was a plus.
“Since you know my name, you must also know that my brother was convicted of murdering Samantha Ortiz.”
“Yes, that was very sad.”
He sounded sincere, but she supposed anyone could act. “I know that every relative says their family member is innocent, but I can’t wrap my head around Trent killing his girlfriend.” She told him how he was adverse to killing any living creature.
“I can sympathize. How can I help?”
Now came for the hard part. “Since you were Sam’s trainer, did she ever mention that someone might have been stalking her or had threatened her?”
He shook his head. “When I train someone, there is mostly grunting and heavy breathing. We don’t engage in a lot of conversation.”
Ariel couldn’t tell if that was true, but she’d let it pass for now. “Do you know who fathered her child?”
He huffed out a laugh. “I’m being paid to train a person, not listen to the person’s life story.”
That made sense too. “Then I guess Sam never mentioned that she thought Trent wanted to harm her?”
“No. Never. If she believed that, she would have moved out. Sam was the type of person who took control of her life.”
Ariel wondered if Sam’s independent nature had been brought out in court. Most people would have heard that she’d announced to the bar patrons that she was leaving Trent. After the confrontation, Sam should have spent the night at a friend’s house. If she had, she might still be alive. Most likely, since Trent was drunk, he hadn’t been fit to drive home.
“Despite Trent’s faults, he loved Samantha. He wouldn’t have killed her. Assuming I’m right about my brother, do you have any idea who might have harmed her?”
“No, but it could have easily been a warning to your brother. At least that’s what happens in the movies.” He tossed her an electrifying smile that caused pulses of desire to trip down her body.Damn man. Why couldn’t he be skinny and homely? Ariel forced her thoughts to focus on his words only.
“A warning about what?”
He sobered and shrugged. “It could be about anything. Maybe Trent owed money to someone, and this person was sending him a message to pay up or he’d be next to die. I know that is far-fetched, but it seems as if the trial only focused on Sam and who might have wanted to harm her. I don’t recall any mention of your brother pissing off some other people. Do you know if he was involved in anything illegal by any chance?”
“Trent never mentioned anything about owing money to anyone or anything else either. I was aware he liked to gamble, though.” Ariel leaned forward. “Let me ask you. If one wanted to join a card game, where would one go?”
Preston held up a hand. “Whoa. Don’t even think along those lines. Just so you know, I don’t bet on anything, in part because those who do, don’t like to lose.”
Walking into some seedy club could be harmful to her well-being, but maybe Trent would tell her a name. “I understand.” Ariel pushed back her chair. “Thank you for your help.”
Preston stood. “Just so you know, I liked Samantha. If your brother is innocent, I’d like to help you find out who is guilty.”
That sounded wonderful, but right now, she couldn’t be positive that he wasn’t the one who’d harmed Sam. The man was slick. Like his roommate, Preston seemed the type who could charm anyone he set his mind to. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”
As quickly as she could, Ariel rushed out. Something about Preston Daniels unsettled her, but she wasn’t sure what. Preston had sounded sincere, but it was hard to concentrate around him, especially when her body was betraying her. It had been way too long since she’d been held, kissed, and loved.
Ariel once more had to draw on her ability to focus on the task at hand. By pointing a finger at someone who wasn’t associated with Samantha, it implied Preston might not believe Trent was guilty—or had he just said that to make her think he was one of the good guys?
She stepped outside. In the short time she’d been with Preston, the sky had darkened and turned rather chilly, forcing Ariel to wrap her arms around her shoulders. Keeping her eye out for anyone who might decide that Trent’s case shouldn’t be investigated further, she rushed to her car.
Once seated, she locked her car door and stabbed the key into the ignition, but the engine failed to catch. “Come on, Betty. You can do it.”
Ariel turned it again and lightly pressed on the gas, not wanting to flood it. She needed to get home, but her car appeared to be too tired for the job.Well damn.
