Page 13 of Shark’s Edge

“Too long. Too long. You both look good.” The blond detective looked Grant and me over from head to toe a couple of times and then took a quick turn around the penthouse. “I should’ve stuck with the two of you back in the day. Apparently whatever you’re doing for a paycheck beats the hell out of the police force.”

“Let’s sit down, please. Can I get either of you something to drink?” I offered, reminding Josh of the partner standing beside him.

“Shit, sorry, man. This is my partner, Detective Branson Hale.”

I shook the stout man’s hand, introducing myself. “Sebastian Shark. This is my chief of operations, Grant Twombley.” Grant leaned in to shake Detective Hale’s hand too.

“Drinks? Anyone?” Grant asked, heading toward the refrigerator as I motioned to the sofas for the detectives to get comfortable.

“No, thank you,” they answered in unison. Josh chuckled but Branson winced.

“We won’t take up much of your time, Mr. Shark. We have a few routine questions regarding an incident that took place this morning on the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro.”

Grant rejoined us while Detective Hale spoke, and I made eye contact with my old friend, Josh. I could already tell his partner was a completely by-the-book kind of police officer.

Good. I had nothing to hide, and the sooner any suspicion surrounding my name was cleared, the better.

“Judging by the chaos in front of your building, I assume you’re familiar with the incident in question. Or do you always have that many reporters and groupies with signs hanging out near the entrance of your office?” Josh asked, more lighthearted than his partner.

“No,” I said, forcing a laugh. “That’s a new development.”

“So how did you know Ms. Mansfield?” he asked, brows raised.

“I’m not sure I do. Or did, rather.”

“You never met the woman?” Hale twisted his mouth with doubt. “Odd, since she claimed you were dating. And that you broke her heart.”

“We definitely weren’t dating. I don’t date.”

Hale went on as if I never spoke. “She went through great lengths to secure a suicide note, detailing the whole thing, to her body before jumping off that bridge.”

“I don’t know how else to word it, Detective. I don’t date women. I fuck them. Usually once. That’s it.” I shrugged. Seemed pretty cut and dry to me. I looked at Grant, and he gave a matching shrug.

See? He understands where I’m coming from.

“Why do you think this woman, Ms. Mansfield, would say that you broke her heart, then? That seems a bit extreme if you only slept with her one time.”

I pushed Josh’s knee so it knocked into his other one, playing up our friendship. “You know how women can get after you sleep with them—all starry-eyed. Add in my money and shit, maybe she thought I was going to be her next sugar daddy? I don’t know.”

But Hale was like a dog with a bone. Question after question until I finally stood up, calling an end to the interrogation. “I think I should probably have my attorney present if you gentlemen need to ask me anything else.”

“I think we have everything we need for now. Here’s my card—”

Hale made to offer his card, but I held my hand up to stop him. “I don’t need your card, man. You can leave it with my assistant if you feel like you need to, but I won’t be using it. Guaranteed.”

“Sebastian.” Josh shook my hand, giving me a solid smack on the shoulder while doing so.

“Grant.” He repeated the gesture with my best friend while I showed them to the door. “Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. It was great to see you two.”

“Same here, Josh. Take care,” Grant said as he closed the door and faced me.

“What in the actual fuck is going on?” I asked him, rubbing my throbbing forehead.

“I was just going to ask you the same thing.”

Chapter Three

Abbi