Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(58)
DARYL OWEN WAS a tall, handsome man with dark chocolate colored skin. He appeared younger than Ralph and Alton, but older than Nox.
“Miss Collins, it’s nice to meet you.”
I smiled at his greeting, thankful to hear Collins instead of Spencer. “Thank you for helping us.”
A little after noon, he joined Chelsea, Nox, Deloris, and me in the hotel suite to prepare us for our meeting. While we knew from the chatter that Deloris had heard that Ralph Porter wanted our statements, it was decided that our help could be best given to the state in building its case.
Mr. Owen wanted Chelsea and me to know that his presence was specifically to help us stay on topic and avoid giving more information than necessary. Our statements weren’t under oath nor were they testimony. Neither of us was on trial. We were simply witnesses who were both in contact with Bryce on the day before the murder. I was also with him on Saturday night. The police were working on establishing a timeline before the arraignment.
Undoubtedly, Hamilton and Porter would want to speak to us too. Mr. Owen advised we wait until after the meeting with the detective. More than likely, it would be the prosecutor who could benefit from our testimony. Ralph just didn’t know that yet.
The unofficial nature of this meeting was why our voluntary appearance at the police station was important. It was why we’d flown back to Savannah.
“I’ve verified that Mr. Spencer will not be present,” Mr. Owen said.
My pulse quickened as I looked to Chelsea.
“We thought he was still in jail,” Nox said.
“He is; the arraignment is tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow? We assumed it would be today,” Deloris commented.
Mr. Owen nodded. “The state requested time. They have up to seventy-two hours to file. Even Hamilton and Porter can’t force them to file faster. There won’t be a bail hearing until after the arraignment.”
I thought about Melissa, something I hadn’t done before. It was probably the news coverage. I’d seen her picture multiple times. She was young and pretty, a simple Midwestern beauty. The newspeople were playing that up: an innocent college freshman who made the mistake of getting involved with an older man. The assumption was hilarious. They were painting Bryce as the older man. It was the same argument I’d used when Bryce first asked for my help, when I’d been appalled at her youth. In reality, Bryce was eight years her senior, but she’d been living with a much older man.
It wasn’t that man’s primary residence. That was with his wife. According to the news, this unnamed man was a family friend who traveled to the Chicago area routinely for business. Since his apartment sat empty when he wasn’t there, he allowed Melissa to stay there. Though the media tried to make more out of it, nothing had been uncovered.
“You expect there to be bail?” I asked.
“Given the defendant and his connections, yes.”
“But surely the severity of the charges…”
“Miss Collins, this is still Savannah. He is still being funded by Montague money. All Hamilton and Porter needs to do is convince Mr. Spencer to plead not guilty and persuade the judge that he’s not a danger to society…” He looked at Chelsea; her bruised cheek had faded to green and yellow, but it was still evident. “…nor a flight risk. If they can do that, they can request bail.”
“What if he is a danger?” Chelsea asked.
Mr. Owen nodded. “That’s what can be discussed today, unofficially.”
We’d hoped to slip into the police station unnoticed. As we pulled up to the curb, it was obvious that wouldn’t happen. The sidewalk was lined with reporters and along the street were various large trucks with station letters painted on the side.
Clayton brought the limousine to a stop in front of the chaos.
Nox reached for my hand. “Princess, I want to go in there with you.”
“I think it’ll add to the rumors. After all, we still don’t know if I’m supposedly married.”
“I know you can do this.”
I took a deep breath, filling my senses with his woodsy cologne and my vision with his blue gaze. “I’ll be fine.” I looked over at Chelsea. “We’ll be fine.”
“Deloris and I will be with you the only way we can.”
He was saying they’d be listening to every word, but with Daryl Owen in the car, he couldn’t be that blunt.
My necklace had been improved. Actually, I now had two. One with and one without an audible connection. The feature I’d requested not be present was now available on my new necklace. It looked identical to the first, a platinum diamond-dusted cage holding a glistening pearl. Just like the first one, the pearl wasn’t a pearl, but a translucent transmitter. In the necklace I was wearing, it transmitted not only my location, but included an audio transmission. The range was impressive.
“And while Mr. Owen is beside you,” Nox said, “Isaac will be too.”
I nodded. Hadn’t there been a time when I didn’t want Nox’s men with me?
“You won’t be getting in any cars besides this one when this meeting is over.”
I leaned forward and brushed my lips to his. “I believe that was rule number one on your most recent list, Mr. Demetri. I just want to get back to New York.”