Page 97 of Lost Lake
“No. Never.” His adamant expression should indicate he was telling the truth, but Gabe’s gut told him not to believe the guy.
El sat silently for a moment. “What would you say if I told you she was murdered Friday night?”
He sat up, his body rigid and every muscle in his face locked into place. “Well, I’d say I’m sorry that happened. Exactly what I’d say if anyone was murdered. And I’m especially sorry because she was a volunteer at Safe Harbor. I’m sure everyone over there is upset and will miss her.”
El held her pen poised over her notebook. “Where were you on Friday evening between seven and ten p.m.?”
“Me?” He lurched forward. “You’re asking me for an alibi? Like you think I might have killed a woman I don’t even personally know?”
El’s outward appearance didn’t reveal any emotions. “Please just answer the question, Mr. Sloan.”
He crossed his arms. “Fine. Friday night I was at our fundraiser at the Lakeside Ballroom. Tons of people can confirm I was there, including our chairman of the board.”
“Jonas Trent was at the fundraiser?” she asked, for the first time showing a minor crack in her armor.
“Both of us were. Arrived an hour before it started and left a half an hour after it ended. That would be from six until midnight. That’s our standard procedure so not a single donor who wants to talk to us is missed.” He cleared his throat and stood. “Now if that’s all, I really do need to get back to work. I’ll walk you out.”
He didn’t give them an option, but briskly strode to the door and into the hallway.
They had no choice but to follow or wait for him to throw them out. There was something else Gabe would like to push him on, but he didn’t.
On the way to the door, El eased close to him. “He’s hiding something.”
He peered down at her. “Agreed. The big question is, what?”
23
Sloan escorted them to the elevator and waited while they got in and the door closed. Instead of selecting the first floor, El punched number two.
“I would have hit that button too,” Gabe said. “We ask to see Trent, and if they try to throw us out, I plan to make a big scene.” Gabe flashed her a fiendish grin.
She laughed, and her heart lifted a bit. “I’m not sure I’m in on thescenething, but if he’s here, I won’t leave easily.” She patted her shield on her waistband. “Even if I have to use this to toss out some idle threats.”
“It’ll be interesting to see if your credentials impact this guy at all, or if he thinks he’s untouchable.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors whisked open.
“Time will tell.” She stepped into a surprisingly small lobby area. The furnishings were similar to the first floor, but the receptionist was a young beauty who looked like she should be a model. Stereotyping, El knew, but her job proved that out more times than not. Still, her beliefs ensured she always tried to give people the benefit of the doubt.
At the desk, she held out her credentials. “I’m Detective Elaina Lyons with the Lost Lake Sheriff’s Department. I need to see Jonas Trent, and it’s a matter of urgency.”
“Oh, my! The police.” She batted her heavily mascaraed and very false long eyelashes at El. “Is he in some kind of trouble?”
“No, but we believe he can help us with our investigation, and as I said, this is a matter of urgency. Can you please tell him we’re here?”
“Yes, yes, of course. Right now. Hold on.” Seeming flustered, she grabbed the phone. Unfortunately, as she talked, El realized she wasn’t Trent’s gatekeeper, and they’d have to go through his assistant.
She shared a look with Gabe, and he rolled his eyes. She wanted to do the same thing but resisted as the woman was watching her.
She ended her call. “You can have a seat if you want. His assistant will be right out.”
“Thank you.” El gave her a genuine smile and went straight to the seating area but remained standing.
Gabe joined her, and she was struck for the first time by how much he didn’t look at home in this setting. He wore cargo pants, an ice blue tactical shirt, and tactical boots. Couple that with his dark intensity, and she was sure he was putting people off. Well, maybe not the receptionist, who kept looking at him as if he was the next Tom Cruise.
If he noticed, he didn’t care. “Looks like you don’t think the assistant will take much time.”
“I have no idea. Just tired of sitting around. I want to take action.”
