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08:00am, thank fuck.
I’ve been on this now for twelve hours and have achieved fuck all. I left two messages on Summer’s phone regarding an interview and sent LAPD officers to her mother’s residence, but a neighbor informed them they had all gone on a vacation. For some reason, her phone was off by the time I called. I can only hope she already knows about her father.
Feeling my eyes begin to let me down, I pick up my badge and keys. Feeling the brisk morning air hit me as I leave the precinct, I head for my car.
I can’t get fuck all done if I’m exhausted.
Sticking the key into the ignition, I listen as the car roars to life. Before I can even pull out of the parking lot, my phone rings. Quickly glancing down at the screen, I groan. Hitting answer, I bring the car to a stop before lifting the phone to my ear.
“Strode,” I grumble, hearing a slight chuckle down the line. Watching the lucky victims of the parking lot make their escape.
“Summer Harper called the precinct; she’s coming in at midday for an interview.” My ears prick up slightly at the thought of meeting Summer in person.
“I’ll be back in ten, I need a fucking decent breakfast first.” Throwing my phone back down, I pull out onto the busy city street.
Chapter Five
Summer?
Wrapping the warm fluffy towel around myself, I ring out my long hair, allowing the residual water to be swallowed down the plug. Wiping the excess water from my face, I step out of the shower, heading for the bedroom. Picking up my phone, I check the time. Luckily, I still have a few hours before my interview with the NYPD about my father’s murder investigation.
Murder investigation.
Feeling my stomach drop, the tears blur my vision and the waves of cold shivers run across my skin. Wrapping my arms around myself, I run my palms against my skin, hoping the coldness will subside.
Sitting on the edge of the bed and batting away the tears, I allow my head to fall back slightly, trying to relieve the tension in my neck. I sigh heavily, knowing that I can’t offer them any help in his murder. I wish I could. I can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt him. I’d never heard a bad word said about him. Well, apart from my mother, but she speaks badly of anyone just because she can.
Spending the remainder of the morning getting ready, I lose myself in the whirring noise of the hairdryer and a true crime podcast, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead.
Pulling out fresh clothes, I check the weather on my phone for the day. I give a lopsided smile as it’ll be chilly for most of it, but luckily the sun will be out. Opting for some black super skinny jeans and a cream roll-neck jumper, I slide on my heeled black ankle boots. I run a brush through my loose curls before giving myself one final nod in the mirror. Picking up my purse, I ignore the constant buzzing from my bag as I head to the precinct.
Harry, you can fuck off. Like I’m going to speak with you.
My inner thoughts may seem confident, but the idea of him trying to contact me or even find me scares me. I saw an opportunity to escape, and I took it. I have no intention of ever going back. It wouldn't upset me if I never saw him or my mother again. Between them, they have made my life miserable whenever they felt like it.
A short taxi ride later and I’m stepping into the precinct, the warmth causes my cheeks to burn. Feeling a slight sweat develop on my back and the smell of burnt coffee causing me to recoil slightly. I shrug my coat off as I’m taken to an interview room. As the door opens, I take a seat at the table. I look at my reflection in the two-way mirror, just staring back. The past twenty-four hours hitting me hard. Even though I’ve escaped one hell, I’ve been thrust into another. Anxiety settles in my gut; I’ve never even planned a funeral before. I have no idea where to start, what my dad’s wishes were, or how to even deal with his estate.
I feel myself begin to nervously chew on the inside of my lip, trying to gather my thoughts and work out how to handle everything with my dad’s best interests and with confidence that I know I currently lack. My eyes snap to the door, and it swings open as two men enter. The younger of the two carrying a folder in his hand. The older man, wears a confident smile, but the more I look at it, the more it appears to be a smirk. I feel my sweaty palms clench slightly at the thought of this man smirking during a time like this. I feel my eyes boring a hole into his forehead as the silence in the room becomes uncomfortable. The younger man begins to speak, but I can’t hear him. The rage building within me feels like I’m taken to another dimension.
“Is something funny, detective?”
My tone is clip, almost defiant towards an authority figure. I hold eye contact as he finally looks me in the eye. He manages to hold it for a couple of seconds before his façade falters. His shoulders sag as he runs his hand over his stubble. His eyes avert my gaze, but he shakes his head.
“No, ma’am, I apologise.”
To my surprise, he doesn’t jump to his defense. With my small triumphant win in my pocket, I sit back in my seat, letting out a low breath.
“No, Detective, I apologise.” My eyes wander to the two-way glass behind them. “It’s been….an odd twenty-four hours.” Feeling my eyes fill with tears, I take another deep breath before shrugging.
“I’m Detective Grey, and this is Detective Strode.” The young man gestures between them, and since entering the room, I find my eyes wandering towards him. I swallow hard as his deep green eyes pierce into mine. My skin feels hot, as though it leaves an imprint on me everywhere he looks. I nod at his words, but there’s no denying his deep voice oozes calm and dominance. With my cheeks on fire, I hope they haven’t noticed. With the heating in the precinct being so high, I’ll put it down to that for now.
“You’ve been in Las Vegas for the past three days?” Flipping a piece of paper, Detective Grey continues. “It says here you were staying at The Bellagio?”
“That’s correct.” I nod.
“What were you doing there?”
“My stepdad wanted to take us away for a few days. I think he and my former fiancé were celebrating some business deal going through.”
