Passion(White Collared Part 4)(2)

“Police,” a male voice announced from down the hallway.

What was Nick going to say? Was it possible he was in love with her?

He helped her to her feet and kept his arm around her, as if he feared she’d collapse if he didn’t support her. She was grateful for him, but she couldn’t help feeling the person she needed the most wasn’t here.

Jaxon.

A lump of regret clogged her throat. She’d hurt him. Blamed him for lying to her when she’d lied to him as well. He’d made a mistake and should’ve come clean about his alibi from the beginning, but he hadn’t deserved to have her walk away from what they had together.

If only she hadn’t stormed out of Jaxon’s house, the morning might have gone differently. Miles Joseph wouldn’t have died.

To take a human life, whether by accident or intent, changed a person in ways others couldn’t begin to fathom. It tainted the soul. She had to accept that she was partially responsible for the guilt Nick would eventually feel once he processed that a man had died by his hand.

With Nick distracted by the police, she couldn’t resist looking at Joseph’s body. He lay lifeless, blood drenching his face and chest and pooling around his head. His eyes and mouth were open in an expression of shock, as if he couldn’t believe Nick had bested him.

Nick had shot him in the middle of his chest and his forehead. Even with her expertise, she couldn’t have gotten off two better. Was Nick an expert marksman or just plain lucky? Whichever it was, those bullets had saved her ass, and she owed Nick her undying gratitude.

For the next hour, the police grilled her and Nick separately in different boardrooms as other officers processed the crime scene. She’d showed them the drawer with the evidence and had explained how tracing the e-mails had led her to his office. They worried she’d tampered with evidence, but with Nick battling for her, they quickly dropped the issue and focused on the facts as she laid them out.

She was becoming too familiar with this scene, and a disturbing numbness had replaced her usual anxiety. It was as if Joseph had cut out her heart and left her chest cavity barren. She didn’t know what it meant, but she was grateful for the temporary reprieve.

An hour must have passed as she sat alone in the boardroom, waiting for the police to continue their questions. She was so tired. All she wanted to do was crawl into Jaxon’s bed and have him hold her as she slept. Had the police called him? Was he relieved they’d found Alyssa’s murderer? Would he forgive Kate?

The door squeaked open and her head snapped up to see Officer Standish enter the room.

“We’d like to continue the questioning at the station, if you don’t mind,” said Officer Standish.

Nick strode in, passing the policeman, and put his hand on her shoulder. “I don’t think Kate can—”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. Yes, let’s finish this up tonight. I want it over.”

“Is it Kate?” A frantic voice out in the hallway drew her attention. “Let me in. I work at this firm.”

Logan bolted into the room, panic evident from his wide eyes and the lines on his face.

She got up from the table and crossed the room to him. “Logan, what are you doing here?”

He embraced her. “Thank Christ you’re okay. You scared the shit out of me.” After the hug, he shot a look between her and Nick. “What happened?”

Officer Standish’s eyes narrowed. “How did you know she’d be here?”

She turned to the officer. “This is Logan Bradford, the man who tied Miles Joseph to the threats I’d received.”

The detective nodded curtly. “Oh good. You made it easy on us. Why don’t you come down to the station too?”

Logan gave him a lazy grin. “With an invitation like that, how can I refuse?”

“Has anyone called Jaxon Deveroux?” she asked.

The cop nodded. “He’s being interrogated at the station now. While Miles Joseph seems the likeliest candidate for Alyssa Deveroux’s murder, we haven’t completed the investigation. Mr. Deveroux is still a suspect, especially since a witness has come forward saying he lied about his alibi.”

Nick stepped forward. “I’m his attorney. He shouldn’t be questioned without me being present.”

“He didn’t want an attorney.” Officer Standish grinned smugly. “Besides, he’s not in custody, so don’t worry about us violating his rights.”

Why didn’t he want Nick with him?

She couldn’t wait to apologize to Jaxon and put this all in the past. Once they determined Miles Joseph was responsible for Alyssa’s murder, he could start healing from the ordeal.