Page 71 of Beautiful Deceit
The medical examiner arrives at the same times as two detectives. Beau and I are separated.
I am standing in the kitchen with a Detective Cortez. He asks me about Tasha, and I tell him I only knew her since yesterday. When he asks about my being at her place, I explain the rather convoluted event of the previous evening. I am nearing the end of the encounter yesterday, “I left shortly after and went for a walk.”
He interrupts, "Can anyone account for your whereabouts during that time?”
"No, not really. I was by myself. I'm not positive what time I left here, but I got home about ten minutes after eleven."
He nods his head, "And why did you leave alone, after you arrived with Mr. Huntington, at what time did you say?"
"Almost nine? I guess. I left by myself because she…” I trail off. “Tasha. We didn't know she was here, and she and Beau were once together. She wanted that again. I left when she started saying ugly things."
"And Mr. Huntington stayed and didn't go with you?"
"He didn't even know I left because he was standing with his back to me. I just walked out. He didn’t see. He left shortly after that when he realized I was gone; he followed me." I feel the need to defend Beau because the detective’s voice sounds accusatory. He continues asking me the same questions, wording them slightly different each time. His focus is intent on when Beau and I left, and when we met up again.
I haven't seen Beau in at least half an hour. God, they can’t believe either of us could do this, or that we could hurt her do they? I don’t even know how it happened. I didn't see any injuries.
More people come and go from the apartment. I hear Beau's name whispered a few times, as Chris, Chris Huntington, oris that..? Finally Detective Cortez tells me I am free to go. He takes down all my information and says he'll be in touch soon.
"What about Beau, I mean Chris? Where is he?"
"I haven't spoken to my partner yet. Have a seat and I'll see what she says."
The minutes pass slowly, but eventually Beau walks out with his shoulders slumped and a female detective behind him. Her expression is stern. The flirty behavior I have witnessed as a near constant reaction to Beau is not present; she's all business.
When he looks up, spotting me. Relief is evident on his face. His steps quicken, and he pulls me to stand.
Embracing me, he says, "I'm sorry you have to deal with this."
"Don't worry about me. Are you okay?"
Our private moment is interrupted by a throat clearing. He releases me somewhat, keeping his arm around my back as he turns to face the detection.
"Excuse me, ma'am,” I look from Beau to the detective. “Mr. Huntington said he'd being staying with you?"
I nod then answer, "Yes."
She nods as well, "Alright, we'll be in contact soon." It sounds vaguely threatening the way she says it, stern and without question. I worry about what this might mean.
"Let's get the hell out of here!" Beau says as he steers me to the door. I stop before we leave. I look down at his hands that are holding onto my shoulders as he is guiding me out.
"What about your stuff?"
He sounds disgusted when he replies, "Evidence."
"For what?" I ask, walking to the elevator. He doesn't answer until the elevator doors close.
"They think she was murdered. Something about suffocation," He winces.
"Oh god. I mean I knew someone had to tie her up like that, but I guess I was just hoping—” I pause. I honestly don’t know what I was hoping for, so I say just that “—I don't know what."
"Yeah me too," he kisses my temple.
We pass through the very busy lobby, both of us moving automatically.
Chapter 20
We catch a cab to my place a few blocks away from the Dakota. Beau is quiet. He holds onto my hand while helping me into the cab and doesn't release my palm once in the jumble. I rub my thumb over the back of his hand trying to comfort as I watch him throughout the cab ride.
