Justice(69)
“This was a planned trip?” Cam asks.
“No. The arrangements were made yesterday, mid-morning. I was supposed to be gone until tomorrow evening.”
“Would it be possible to get a list of all the people who knew about this trip? The people you told at the party last night too?” Cam asks.
“Of course.”
“Now, about last night,” Harry says, “did you see anything odd? A person or persons hanging around you for most of the night?”
“No. Why?”
Cam glances at me, but I keep my poker face. “We have reason to believe that Alkaline was at your party last night.”
“What?”
“An eyewitness believes she saw Alkaline there last night,” Cam says.
“What?” Justin asks, flabbergasted. “Why the hell didn’t she report it?”
“She wasn’t sure it was him at the time,” Cam says.
Harry decides to save me. “I’m sorry, we have to ask. Can you verify your whereabouts this morning between six and seven?”
My eyes narrow. “Is that really necessary?”
“It’s okay, Jo.” He nods at the men. “My assistant Shannon and I were in New Urbana. My pilot and colleagues were with me at the time. Shannon can give you their contact information.”
“Did Dr. Thornton have any enemies? I understand her ex-husband is in prison,” Cam says.
“He didn’t know where they were living, and he certainly had no contact with Alkaline.”
“What about you?” Harry asks. “Is there any reason why James Ryder would want to hurt you?”
For the first time Justin looks away, the strong façade momentarily crumbling. I’m surprised it took this long. I jump in. “His only connection to that monster is through Grace Pickering and me. That’s it. Right, Justin?”
“Yes.” He recovers, meeting Harry’s eyes again. “I’ve never met or had dealings with the man. I have no idea why he’d target Rebecca or me.”
“Just to err on the side of caution, I’m going to have a patrol car parked out front and another to escort you and your,” Harry glances at me, adjusting his glasses nervously, “um, loved ones when you leave. I’d also recommend hiring private security. Just a precaution.”
“Is there reason for concern?” Justin asks.
Harry and Cam glance at me, but I narrow my eyes to warn them off. Harry clears his throat. “As I said, just a precaution.”
“Lieutenant, why do I get the feeling that there is a lot you are not telling me?”
“Mr. Pendergast—”
“Lt. O’Hara, I am friends with both the mayor and commissioner. Do not make me go over your head.”
I touch his hand. “Justin…”
Harry sighs, and I yank my hand away. “Mr. Pendergast,” Harry says, but I shoot him a pleading look, “I, um…”
“At the crime scene,” Cam interjects, “there was a threat. Alkaline left a burnt picture of Jo tacked onto the front door.”
Justin’s gaze whips to me. “What? Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
I glare at the defiant Cam before turning to Justin. “I didn’t want you to worry about me. We don’t know it’s a threat. It could just be a ploy to get us all worked up, make mistakes.” Or it’s a message. To me.
“Bullshit, Jo!” Justin says. “You lied to me! That’s why the cruiser was following us.”
“We’re worried about everyone’s safety, Mr. Pendergast,” Harry says. “That’s why I suggest you hire additional security for yourself, your aunt, and…Joanna.”
“That’s it? Security? Two police cruisers? Why isn’t she in protective custody? Don’t you people take care of your own?”
“We offered, she declined, Mr. Pendergast,” Harry says with a hard edge.
“You’re her commanding officer. Order her to!”
“Nobody makes Jo do anything she doesn’t want to. You should know that better than any of us, Mr. Pendergast,” Harry says.
Justin glares at Harry, who glares back. “She also doesn’t have a death wish,” Justin says. He remembers that I’m in the room, and the glare gets focused on me. “I’m sending you and Lucy to the house in Paris until he’s captured.”
“I’m not—”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Harry says.
“Excuse me!” I shout. “Stop deciding my life for me without my input. Justin, you and Lucy should go to Paris, no question. I’m not running. I am not giving him that satisfaction.”
“It wasn’t my face burnt off a picture, Jo,” Justin counters.