Page 71 of Unbalanced

Her tone stays professional, but there is anger, or maybe hatred, in the brief look she gives Emily.

Oh really?

Jen’s hand shoots out for me to shake. I pause and stare at the offering long enough for it to be awkward. Then I grip it briefly, before releasing it before pulling out my handkerchief and wiping my hand. Jen watches her jaw tensing.

Not giving a shit what it looks like, I slip my arm around Emily’s waist. Jen’s eyes follow the movement.

“Detective Hiller, this is Emily. She was my brother’s girlfriend,” I say, watching the two women closely.

Jen’s eyes never change, still simmering with a thread of anger. Emily’s face stays cool, only showing a touch of disgust.

“Nice to finally meet you,” Jen says, holding out her hand.

Emily ignores the gesture.

“Nice to finally meet the woman Rob was fucking behind my back,” Emily says flatly, and Jen’s eyes go wide.

I stand a little straighter, my fingers flexing on her side.

“Don’t look so surprised. I know all about it. Rob wasn’t exactly good at hiding it,” Emily says, looking Jen up and down. “Classless of you to show up here. But that doesn’t surprise me, considering you lack morals.”

Jen swallows and glances around when Emily steps out of my grip. I don’t like losing the contact one bit. But the fiery look in her eyes is turning me on far more than it should. Fuck, this is hot.

“I’d keep going, but you’ve already taken up more of my time than you’re worth.”

Emily walks past Jen, heading for the back of the house.

My interest in Detective Hiller is now piqued for a whole new reason. Killing cops is always tricky. They tend to get their nose out of joint when one of their own goes missing, but for Emily, and any pain Jen caused…I’ll make an exception.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I’ll leave, but do you think I can call you?”

“Looking to move on to Rob’s brother?”

Her face turns ashen, but she rolls her shoulders and gives me the typical cop stare meant to intimidate me. It doesn’t.

“No, I wanted to talk to you about Rob’s death. I know the coroner ruled it an accident, but I don’t think it was.”

A smile slowly pulls at the corners of my mouth.

“Are you planning to speak to me as his brother or as a suspect, detective?”

“Should I consider you a suspect?”

“I think you have a lot of nerve coming here today. I also think you’ve overplayed your hand. It is the height of stupidity to suggest something so disrespectful to a lawyer in his family home. You may want to consider your next words carefully. I have your chief’s number on speed dial. I’m not above calling him and letting him know that one of his detectives is wildly out of line.” I step closer and lower my voice. “If you wish to destroy your career…” I reach into my pocket, pull out a business card, and hold it out to her. “That’s where you can reach me. If you decide to keep your job, then this is the last time I will see your face.”

She takes a deep breath, and I can see her warring with her ego. She finally backs down.

“I apologize again. I don’t think you had anything to do with Rob’s death.” I remain quiet. She has information she wants to share. I can see it burning in her eyes. “If I tell you this, it has to remain confidential.”

“No.”

She stops and blinks as if I’ve hit her. This is not the reaction she expected.

“I’ve no interest in hearing what you have to say. I think it’s time you left.”

“But I don’t think Rob dying here when he did is a coincidence,” she continues.

Perhaps she’s hard of hearing. I don’t think so either, but I’m not partnering up with this woman for any reason. I can find the answers all on my own.