Page 27 of Dichotomy

“I think I just want to spend time with my girlfriend in the morning.”

Her eyes softened, glistening softly in the daylight that filtered into the kitchen.

“I think something like that can be arranged. In exchange for caffeine, of course.”

“Of course,” I agreed. “Speaking of arrangements… My mom was asking if we could come over for dinner tomorrow night.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Melissa? Really?”

“Yes, really,” I said. “She says she hasn’t seen you since you rescued her. She wants to thank you in person.”

Evelyn ducked her head. “Izzy checks in on her.”

I smiled. I had a feeling Evelyn didn’t do well with gratitude.

“She mentioned that. But she wants to see you. If that’s okay?”

I wouldn’t push, but Evelyn needed some good mothering, and Mom was the perfect person for that.

“That might be nice. If you think it’s safe for her with the FIA.”

“I’m offended that you think I can’t lose a tail.”

She giggled, and I treasured the sound. She managed a few bites of her breakfast before her phone rang. She dug it out of her pocket, frowning at the screen before answering it.

“Hello?” Her eyes flew to me. “Yes, Agent Hayes. What can I do for you?”

Agent Hayes? What did he want? I frowned as her face tightened.

“Yes, I can come in this morning. Does forty-five minutes work? Oh, an hour? Of course. See you then.”

She hung up the phone, mouth in a tight line. “He wants me to come down to the station and talk to them.” She shoved her plate away. “I’ll call Alexander.”

“I’ll drive you.” I stood up and grabbed both of our plates.

Like hell was she going down there without me. Agent Hayes may be one of the good ones, but he hadn’t proven himself yet. I hoped my estimation of him wasn’t wrong, though. I guess we were about to see.

CHAPTER 14

DOMINIC

Ileaned against the wall of the police station, eyes tracking the chaos around me as I waited for Evelyn Harper to arrive. Mike had called me early this morning demanding that we bring her in today to discuss the recording. His insistence set off every warning bell in me, so when he went to call her, I intervened. I wasn’t sure why he was demanding she come in this morning. I hadn’t even had a chance to listen to the recording yet or analyze it. He said it came in on the FIA tip line, but even that was odd. I wasn’t sure what was going on or what to think, but I didn’t want Evelyn facing him alone. If she was innocent, then Mike was determined to pin this on her. And if she wasn’t innocent…

Well, I had a hard time thinking about that. My interaction with Adrian Cross had raised doubts in me, but I was torn between duty and understanding.

Speaking of Adrian, he opened the door to the station, scanning the room before he ushered her inside. Their lawyer, Julie something, followed them, and I was glad I’d given her an hour to get here.

Adrian spotted me, and his mouth tightened, but he guided Evelyn my way. I didn’t miss how he hovered behind herprotectively. Were they dating? I thought she might be dating Alexander, but Adrian’s protective behavior had me second guessing. Evelyn wore cream pants and a black blouse, and her curly brown hair was pulled up into a messy bun with a few curls framing her face. She looked like she was ready to step into a boardroom, not a police station. I pushed off from the wall as they approached.

“Good morning, Miss Harper, Mr. Cross. I’m glad you could make it this morning.” I held out a hand to Evelyn.

Her handshake was firm but warm, and her eyes dilated slightly as I laid on the charm with a wide grin. Evelyn Harper was an attractive woman for sure, but I would never act on that attraction. Especially not when she was still a suspect in an active case, even if it was an unconventional case.

“Good morning, Agent Hayes,” Evelyn greeted politely. “How are you this morning?”

“I am good, Miss Harper. How about yourself?”

“Better if we hadn’t been called down here first thing,” Adrian grumbled, his green eyes glaring at me.