Page 90 of A Tempting Seduction

“Goodness.” The profanity slipped out before he caught himself. “I was told she was dead.”

I winced.

“She's very much alive,” Simon said. “And she has access to evidence her father left behind. A safety deposit box at First National Bank of Beverly Hills.”

My phone started ringing, the shrill sound cutting through the conversation. I pulled it from my purse and glanced at the caller ID. Sheriff's Office. I declined the call and set the phone face down on the table.

“Can she access the box?” Isaacson asked.

“She has everything she needs,” Simon confirmed. “The question is timing and security.”

“Since Monday is a bank holiday, Ruby should show up Tuesday morning,” Isaacson said. “I'll coordinate with the local field office to provide protection.”

Relief flooded through me.

“Agent Isaacson,” I said, finding my voice. “What's happening with the investigation?”

“Things are blowing up here in LA. We brought Horace Waters in for questioning two weeks ago. We also have a subpoena out to talk to Lance Leeds. But we haven’t had him in yet.”

Ford's hand found mine across the table, his fingers warm and steady. “That’s because the jerk is here,” Ford growled.

Ford's cell phone started ringing, interrupting the agent. Ford pulled it from his pocket and frowned at the screen.

“Sheriff's office,” he said, looking at me.

“They just tried to call me,” I whispered.

Simon held up his hand to pause the FBI call. “Agent Isaacson, can you hold on a second, Sheriff Nash Rivers is trying to get ahold of Ruby and Ford. They need to answer.”

Ford swiped to accept the call. “This is Ford.”

I could hear Sheriff Nash's voice through the phone, though I couldn't make out the words. Ford's expression grew increasingly serious as he listened.

“Put it on speaker,” Simon commanded. I’d forgotten that Simon Clark used to be a Lieutenant Commander in charge of a bunch of Navy SEALs. He sure sounded like it now.

Ford hit the speaker button. “Go ahead, Sheriff.”

“Ruby?” Nash's voice filled the office. “I need to ask you and Ford some questions about your interaction with Lance Leeds.”

My blood turned to ice. “What kind of questions?”

“Mrs. Patterson told me about your visit to her bed and breakfast a few days ago. Said there were raised voices and that Leeds seemed agitated when you left.”

Ford and I exchanged glances. This couldn't be good.

“What's this about, Nash?” Ford asked, his voice taking on an edge I'd rarely heard.

Nash's hesitation spoke volumes. “I need to know exactly what was discussed during that conversation. What Leeds said, how he reacted, whether he made any threats.”

“Nash,” Simon interrupted, his tone carrying unmistakable authority. “This is Simon. Ruby and Ford are here in my office on unrelated business. If you're questioning them about a crime, I think we need to know what we're dealing with.”

“Simon.” Nash's voice carried relief and frustration in equal measure. “Thank goodness you're there. Look, I don't want to say more than I have to over the phone, but I need answers.”

“Then give us something to work with,” Simon said firmly. “You know dang well neither Ford nor Ruby would hurt anyone, so what's really going on?”

The silence stretched long enough that I wondered if we'd lost the connection. When Nash finally spoke, his voice was grim.

“Lance Leeds's body was found this morning.”