Blind Date(48)

"And you'd be happy to give me the names of those women?"

"Of course," Jacob says without hesitation.

"Have you had any previous criminal activity?"

Jacob shrugs. "You already know the answer to that, Detective. After all, you would have already checked me out."

I bite my lip and keep watching.

"Indeed," Ace murmurs again.

They go over a few other basic things, like Jacob's work, his friends. Jacob answers with ease and confidence. He also asks him where he was the nights of the break-ins, and Jacob was able to provide an alibi for them.

When he's done, he releases Jacob and calls in Greg-who looks absolutely terrified. A light sheen of sweat covers his forehead.

"Gregory Jefferson, I'm Detective Henderson and I'd like to ask you a few questions today about Hartley Watson."

I have to admit, Ace in detective mode is kind of hot.

Greg nods, rubbing his hands together nervously.

"Everything you say will be recorded."

Greg nods again, and then stammers, "Look, I didn't mean to go to her apartment. I freaked out when I heard your voicemail. I'd never hurt her, I swear."

"How did you find her address, Greg?"

"It isn't hard to find someone's address, Detective. I had no ill intentions."

"You practically threatened her."

"I was angry, that's all. I was nervous, too."

"What for?"

Greg shifts. "I know I upset her, I thought maybe she was trying to put some false charges on me, or something like that, because she was disgusted with me. I  …  I got accused of doing something I didn't do when I was younger, and because of that I'm a little sensitive. I know exactly how easily a woman could make out that I've done something I haven't."


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Ace narrows his eyes. "What did you get accused of?"

Greg shifts. "It never went further than a verbal accusation, that was dropped, so I don't think it matters."

Ace makes a sound deep in his throat. "Very well. Tell me why you think Hartley would be disgusted with you, as you say? What would make her feel like that?"

"She, ah, got upset at me."

Ace looks up, pinning the man with his stare. Even I squirm in my seat. "Why did she get upset with you? I'm asking for you to answer. Now answer."

"I may have lied about being young, and, ah, handsome."

Ace cocks a brow. "Why would you do that, Greg?"

"I just didn't think anyone would give me a chance if I didn't," Greg splutters. "Not all of us are blessed with good looks, like yourself."

"So you lied to get a girl to go on a date with you. You deceived her."

"I didn't do it in a bad way, I swear," Greg cries out, placing his hands on his lap.

"Why not just tell her the truth?" Ace continues, unfazed by Greg's clear outburst of panic. "Why tell her a lie? Is there a particular reason, or is just that you didn't think she'd go out with you?"

"I didn't know it would be Hartley I met. It could've been be anyone. That's why it's called a blind date."

Ace nods, writing something. "And what happened when Hartley found out you had lied to her?"

"She was upset. She told me I was shallow, said a few colorful words, and left."

"You weren't angry at her?"

Greg looks sheepish. "My ego was bruised, so yes, I was a little mad. Like I said, I thought maybe she had lied about me doing something inappropriate, when I didn't … "

"Lying to get young girls is inappropriate."

"I'm not a terrible man. I'm not."

Ace studies him. "Did she talk to you about her husband, by any chance?"

Greg swallows, and I can see he is trying to figure out how to answer the question. He obviously doesn't want to lie, but he doesn't want to put his foot right in the middle of it either. "Yes, she told me she'd lost her husband."

He goes with the truth. Good for him.

"What did you think when she told you that?"

"I felt sad for her."

"Nothing else?"

Greg shakes his head.

"Okay, Greg. Thank you for your time, I'll call you if I require any further answers."

An officer comes in and escorts Greg out of the room. Ace walks out, too, and is back with me a couple of minutes later. "He's still on the suspect list, but I'm not sure it's him." 

I raise my brows. "You can tell that already?"

Ace nods. "Unless he's the world's best actor, then yes, I can tell that already. The guy looked like he might pass out. Doesn't mean he isn't capable of doing it, but I'm not convinced. I think he probably came to your apartment purely because he was afraid you were going to try and get him in trouble. I'm keeping an eye on him, though."