Exposed (Rosato & DiNunzio #5)(51)

“I doubt they check your ID when you go in. We could find out in five minutes.” Declan gestured at the computer. “Or it could be another member. Jealous husband. Has our boy been fooling around?”

“Possibly. He was divorced and not terrible looking.”

“He had a big job. That’s catnip.”

“Don’t be sexist.” Bennie shot him a look. “I have a big job.”

“Why do you think I’m sleeping with you?” Declan took another big bite of his burger, which was almost finished. “Aren’t you going to eat your veggie burger? I cooked that barley to perfection.”

“Thanks, in a minute.” Bennie turned to the computer, refreshing Philly.com for the local news, but there was nothing new. “So much is going on, and I’m worried about Mary. She sounded shell-shocked when I called her.”

“I agree, she’s got a lot going on. ADA case. Ethics complaint. Defamation case.” Declan smiled in a knowing way, reaching for his beer bottle. “Luckily, she’s not your partner anymore. Or your problem. She’s leaving your firm, remember?”

“I know.” Bennie felt a pang. “She wouldn’t if she didn’t have to.”

“I know that,” Declan said with a smile, and Bennie knew he meant it because he liked Mary.

“Then what’s your point?”

“She’s leaving. You’re going to have to let her go.”

“I’m letting her go. I’m not stopping her.” Bennie hit Refresh again.

“I mean figuratively. Let her go.” Declan met her eye directly. “Her problems are not your problems anymore.”

“But I still care about her.”

“Try to detach.”

“It’s hard,” Bennie blurted out, surprised to hear the words coming out of her own mouth. “It took me so long to get attached. I’m attached.”

“She’s not a puppy, babe.”

“I know, but I’m worried about her. She won’t have anybody if Carrier stays with me. She’ll be completely on her own.”

“Didn’t I just hear you pitch Judy to stay with you?” Declan smiled slightly, his crow’s-feet crinkling with amusement.

“I know.” Bennie hit Refresh, and suddenly the screen changed, to a video feed in front of the Roundhouse. A new headline read Man Questioned in Stabbing Death. “Look, something’s happening!”

“What?” Declan got up and came around Bennie’s other side, watching the laptop over her shoulder.

“There’s video!” Bennie clicked to play the video, which showed a man being escorted into the revolving doors at the Roundhouse, which was the police administration building.

The voiceover said: “Police have brought in for questioning an unidentified male in connection with the death of Todd Eddington, the Horsham man found stabbed to death today. Authorities have not yet identified the man, who has not been arrested for the crime. He is considered a person of interest…”

Bennie eyed the man. “I wonder who he is.”

“That’s the perp? What is this, chess club?” Declan snorted, but Bennie fixated on the screen as the video showed the man disappearing inside the building, followed by a small woman whom she recognized instantly.

“That’s Mary!” Bennie hit the button to freeze the video.

“Your partner?” Declan asked, incredulous.

“Yes!” Bennie rewound the video and played it over again, confirming her identification. She felt a bolt of surprise when she put two and two together. “The person of interest must be Simon!”

“Oh, whoa.” Declan grimaced. “So the cops think Simon killed Eddington? Damn. Now that makes sense.”

Bennie found herself on her feet. “Why? What would make you say that? You don’t know any of these people.”

“Common sense.” Declan shrugged. “Eddington fired Simon. And when Simon sued him for it, Eddington sued him back. That’s motive.”

“Poor Mary.” Bennie edged backwards, suddenly restless. “I need to get back to the city. She’s got a murder case on her hands. She hasn’t done that many of them.”

“Hold on. Think this through.” Declan rose, holding up a hand. “Like I just said, she’s not your problem. She’s a lawyer. She knows what she’s doing. Let her do it.”

“I can help. I’ll be backup, I won’t interfere, just let her know I’m there if she needs me. It’s not like we’re in conflict anymore. This isn’t a civil case, and Dumbarton isn’t on the other side. The Commonwealth is.”

“I know. But that’s not your problem.” Declan came toward her, touching her arm. “Babe. You can stay here. Relax for the weekend.”

“She’s got a tiger by the tail.”

“She didn’t call you.”

“She probably didn’t feel she could. Or she didn’t have the time.” Bennie thought a minute. “Just like you, when you offered me the loan. I didn’t ask for it, but you offered it. That was just kind. I appreciate that. I want to be kind to Mary. If she needs me, I’ll be there. I have to go.”

Declan sighed. “Okay. I understand. Good thing we had sex first.”