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“You’re telling me you just happened to be meeting Ms. Conwell late on a Friday night and be the one to discover her body shortly after the murder?”
Cole bit the inside of his cheek. He turned to his lawyer for permission, who nodded. Cole turned back to the detective. “Yes. Laura requested we meet.”
“What was the meeting about?”
“That’s confidential,” he replied.
“Mr. Kensington, might I remind you that we are trying to solve a murder?”
“We both know the purpose of Mr. Kensington’s meeting with one of the lead researchers within his company has no bearing on the murder investigation, unless you believe he is the killer.” His lawyer’s quick response niggled at Cole’s conscience.
“It would help clear his name if we knew why they were meeting so late at night,” the detective offered.
Cole leaned over to whisper, “Should I tell them about the mole?”
His lawyer hesitated, then nodded. Cole turned and met the steely-faced detective’s eyes. “This is strictly confidential. Earlier this week, I informed Laura that I suspected a mole inside her team who was leaking information and potentially sabotaging results. She requested this meeting to discuss something she had discovered. Unfortunately, I don’t know what it might have been.”
The detective sneered. “Well, isn’t that convenient?”
Cole rolled his head back. “Oh come on. You can’t think I made up an entire security breach to cover my own tracks.”
The detective sneered at him. “That’s exactly what I think. I’m not going to let you get away with this, Mr. Kensington. All you rich shmucks are the same. Just because you’ve got money and a high-priced lawyer, you think you can do whatever you want.” He jabbed a meaty finger into the table. “But it’s not happening on my watch. To clarify, Mr. Kensington, you’re under arrest for the murder of Laura Conwell.”
Cole stammered his objections. Was this guy serious? The detective continued to recite his rights in a monotone voice. Bankston placed his hand on Cole’s arm.
“This is absurd, detective. Mr. Kensington is willing to answer your questions to help you find the real killer.”
“Well, I’m pretty sure we’ve already got the real killer. Now, I’m going to ask some more questions, and Mr. Kensington here is welcome to tell me what he says really happened. Why don’t you tell me about your accomplice. I’m sure we’ll be bringing her in soon. Miss Rodriguez, was it?”
Cole jerked away from the table, his blood running hot. “No!” It was one thing to go after him. But he wouldn’t let them drag Joey into this. She hadn’t done anything.
* * *
Dolores’s husky voice came through the phone when Joey picked it up on the second ring.
“There is a very nice-looking man here with some food for you. He’d like a chance to talk.”
Joey smiled reflexively. “I’ll be right there.” She hadn’t seen nearly enough of Cole in person since the day the President was shot.
She smoothed a hand over her hair and hurried down the hallway toward the lobby. She stopped short when she opened the door and saw Jared sitting there, instead of Cole. Disappointment crashed over her.
“Oh. Jared, I wasn’t expecting you.”
He gave a smile, but it quickly disappeared. “Sorry to disappoint, ma’am.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I just thought… Dolores said…” She waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter. What’s with the personal delivery?”
Jared looked around the open lobby. “Is there someplace better we can talk?”
Joey ushered him into the conference room and shut the door. The solemn expression on Jared’s face hadn’t faded. “What’s going on? Where’s Cole?”
“Well, that’s why I’m here. He needs your help, Joey. The police brought him in for questioning this afternoon, and then they arrested him for Laura’s murder. His lawyer reached out to me. Apparently, they want you for it, too.”
Joey shut her eyes in frustration. What a nightmare. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to find this guy before things got even worse. And, of course, she was still trying to do what she needed to on Operation Blue Smoke. She needed help.
“Well, that’s not great. Thanks, Jared.”
“Joey!” The call came from the back hallway.
