Page 76 of Gilded in Blood

She stares at me for a long moment. “How does a programmer just happen to be carrying a licensed firearm?”

“The firearm is legally registered to me. I have a valid concealed carry permit.”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“I took it with me because we were going down to the basement. I didn’t know what we’d find.”

“You shot the intruder twice.”

“I fired until the threat stopped.”

Again, silence.

She doesn’t look convinced, but she eventually nods.

“You’re free to go for now. But don’t leave town. We’re still investigating.”

I stand up. “What about my girlfriend?”

“She’s still being questioned.”

My pulse spikes. “Why?”

“We’re verifying a few things.”

“What things?”

“The routine kind.” She studies me for a moment before continuing. “Our records show she had prior contact with law enforcement in England.”

I frown. “You’re talking about the bar fight.”

“You know about it?”

“Yes.”

“We’re confirming the circumstances and making sure there are no outstanding warrants or pending matters overseas.”

I let out a disbelieving laugh.

“That’s absurd. She isn’t a fugitive.”

“I didn’t say she was.”

“What happened was a bar fight. She was questioned and released.”

“And if that’s all it was,” Ramirez replies calmly, “she’ll be released too.”

She starts toward the door. “You can head home.”

“Not without her.”

She pauses. “Suit yourself.”

I step out of the room, my mind racing. Everything is out in the open now. This is not how I wanted it to go.

Michael is going to start wondering why his goon hasn’t come back with the real Ilya. I need to act fast before this gets worse than it already is.

The fact that Milana stood by me tonight…