Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead(Finlay Donovan #2)(72)

“Aimee Reynolds?”

“She hasn’t been home since Saturday night, and her husband says she cleaned out their savings account. I’m guessing she and Theresa are involved in this together.”

Aimee Reynolds.

Aimee, who would do anything for Theresa, including disposing of a body. Aimee, who knew how to maneuver quietly online. Who knew how to make a problem disappear. Who’d been fighting with Steven over the kids. Who’d just cleaned out her bank accounts. Probably to pay EasyClean to finish the job.

Nick took me by the shoulder as I launched out of my chair. “I know what you’re thinking, but there’s no reason to panic. I’ve got an unmarked watching Steven’s place and a tail on him everywhere he goes. Joey’s there now until I can find a team to cover shifts around the clock. We’re going to do everything we can to make sure Steven’s safe until we find Theresa and Aimee and figure out who set that fire.” He guided me gently back into my seat, releasing a frustrated sigh. “You could have gotten yourself killed tonight. I know you were scared. That you only did what you did to protect your family. But you don’t negotiate with terrorists, Finn, and that’s exactly what Feliks is. No matter what he says, you can’t trust anything he promises.” Nick took the chair opposite mine and spun it across the floor until it was right in front of me. Sinking into it, he braced his elbows on his knees, his head heavy and close to mine. “What did Zhirov say when you asked him about the attempts on Steven’s life?”

My mouth opened and closed again. Nick thought I’d come here to negotiate for Steven’s life. “N-nothing,” I stammered.

“Did he say anything at all about who might have been behind them?”

“No.”

The tension slipped from his shoulders. “Good.”

“Good? Why would that be good?”

“Because if he didn’t confess anything that can be used against him in court, then maybe Kat won’t press charges against you.” A moment passed as he let that sink in. He cupped my chin, dipping his head to meet my eyes. “I’m going to let you walk out of here, Finn. And none of us are going to say a word about this. Hopefully, Kat and Feliks won’t either. But you have to swear to me that next time you’re scared, you’ll come to me. I know you’re worried about Steven, but promise me you’ll let the professionals handle it.”

I nodded into his palm, nearly leaping out of my skin when someone rapped on the door. Nick dropped his hand as one of the officers who’d dragged me from my van an hour ago poked his head into the room. “Her lawyer’s here.”

Without a word, Nick rose from his chair and stepped out into the hall. Through the gap, I watched his shoulders fall as if a weight had been lifted off them. As if maybe he’d expected someone else. His body obscured my view of whichever public defender Julian had managed to rustle up to help me. All I could make out was a pair of crisp black slacks and simple black ballet flats through the gap between Nick’s legs.

“Thanks for coming,” he said as they shook hands. “I’m sorry to drag you out here so late for nothing. This was all just a big misunderstanding.”

“Oh?” The woman’s voice sounded skeptical.

“See, Ms. Donovan is a writer. She was here doing some research. She cleared it with me ahead of time, but a few of my uniforms didn’t get the memo, and they must have misread the situation.”

“Really? I was told you were the one who took her into custody?” Auburn hair framed the familiar pair of wide green eyes that peered around his shoulder through the crack in the door. My stomach bottomed out.

Nick cleared his throat. “Ms. Donovan requested that her experience be as authentic as possible.”

“And that necessitated handcuffs, impounding her vehicle, and a call to an attorney?” Parker stepped around him and pushed open the door, pausing abruptly when her eyes met mine. Recognition lit like a slow fuse.

“I know how this must look,” he said, following her into the room. “But it was all a big misunderstanding. Ms. Donovan isn’t being charged with a crime.”

“Then why is she in an interrogation room?”

Nick held up his hands. “You’re absolutely right. I made a bad call letting it go this far, but like I said, she’s not in any trouble.” He stood close to me, resting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s late. I’m sure she’d like to get home.”

Parker’s eyes narrowed as they skipped back and forth between us. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with my client.”

Nick looked reluctantly to me. When I nodded, he left us alone, pulling the door closed behind him.

I wrapped my arms around myself to fend off a chill. “Thank you for coming,” I said quietly.

Julian’s roommate didn’t bother to return my uncomfortable smile. We both knew she hadn’t come for me. She set her messenger bag on the table. Neither one of us sat down. “Mind telling me exactly what’s going on?”

“Detective Anthony already did. I was doing research for a book, and we all got carried away. That’s all.”

“Impersonating an attorney? Sneaking into a jail? Carried away? Yeah, I’d say so. If that detective wasn’t covering for you, you’d be spending the night behind bars.” She tipped her head as she studied me. “Is there something going on between the two of you I should know about?”