Page 36 of Protecting Salvation

Chapter11

Aubrey had beena welcome sight right when her strength had been starting to flag. Tears pricked Peyton’s eyes as she sunk into Aubrey’s embrace as she patted her on the back.

“Don’t let that little prick or his cronies get to you, Pey. I know you didn’t do this and we’re going to get it squared away.”

Aubrey’s unquestioning confidence in the fact that she was innocent without her even asking had bolstered her. A promise that she’d be in the observation room during the interview made her feel like she could get through this. Maybe having a superior officer watching over him would have McCain behaving but she doubted it. Pricks like him were so full of their own self-importance that they thought they were invincible.

The door clanked open again and a smiling female officer approached. “Your lawyer is here so I believe Detective McCain is going to begin the interview.”

Her voice was calm and kind, and Peyton knew that somehow Aubrey had arranged to have this woman brought in to cover her. “Thank you.”

A small nod was the only acknowledgement but it was enough as she was led down the corridor to the interview room where Damon Cavendish was waiting for her, a small smile on his handsome face. Dressed in a custom suit that probably cost more than her car, he had success written all over him. A respected and revered barrister, there was nobody better to have in her corner, but the fact he was here also made her fearful that Shadow had thought the big guns were needed.

“Don’t look so worried, Peyton. We’ll have this cleared up before dinner.”

A sexy smile crossed his lips as he nodded at the officer beside her and she would’ve sworn she heard the younger woman sigh. He had that effect on women, he was rich, smart, successful, and hot as sin, yet all she wanted was to crawl into Warren’s lap and have his big arms enclose her in his scent.

“I’m not sure why they called in the big guns, but I’m glad to see you, Damon. Thank you.”

He waved her off with a grin and ushered Peyton into the empty interview room. She sat as he turned to the officer, his confident control reassuring. “I’d like to speak with my client alone, please.”

He didn’t ask but neither did he demand or make the officer feel small. He just stated what he wanted like he expected his order to be followed.

“Of course.”

He stood waiting until the door closed then turned to her with a glance at the corners to ensure nothing was recording, which would be a violation of her rights but not one she’d put past McCain.

Clearly satisfied he sat opposite her. “Are you okay, Peyton? Have they treated you well?”

Her fingers twisted in knots but she nodded. “Yes, they have.”

“Good. Now, the charges they’re trying to bring are murder. I’m afraid your cousin was found late yesterday. My condolences.”

“Thank you but, honestly, there was no love lost between us.” Although he was her last living blood relative, it was hard to miss someone you despised so completely. But the way he died, she’d mourn that for him. “I didn’t do it.”

Damon chuckled. “I know that, and so do they, but they have an agenda. Once I get you out, it’s one I know your friends will uncover for you.”

“On what grounds did they arrest me?”

Peyton wasn’t a fool, they had to have something to get a judge to sign off on a search warrant or the Crown Prosecution to back this level of heavy-handedness.

Damon leaned back in his chair looking relaxed as he tapped his finger on the table in front of him. “They say they have the murder weapon with your fingerprints on it.”

Her heart slammed into her chest. “How is that possible when I didn’t kill him?” She threw her hands up in the air in frustration. “I haven’t even seen the man in two years.”

“Naz says you had a break-in at your office yesterday.”

“Naz?”

His cheeks pinked. “Sorry, Lotus.”

“Oh yes, I did. It was trashed and they found evidence of ammonium nitrate there too.”

“Yes, it was found at the crime scene also.”

“Are you saying the killer is the same person who broke into my office?”

Damon frowned. “Possibly but I’ll leave that to the experts. My job right now is to get you through this interview and back to Hurricane before he rolls through here and flattens the entire building to get to you.”