What I've Done (Morgan Dane #4)(56)

His hesitation told her if he could have lied, he would have. Kieran might be a jerk, but he was smart. There was no benefit in lying about a fact that could be easily verified.

“Why were you at the club?” Morgan asked.

“I just wanted to check out the scene.” He shoved another bullet into the magazine, his movement more forceful.

“May I use your restroom?” Lance asked.

Kieran gestured toward the stairwell. “Yes. Second door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Lance jogged up the steps.

Morgan could only hope he didn’t snoop anywhere he’d be caught. She knew from experience that there was no point trying to stop him. All she could do was keep Kieran occupied until Lance returned.

“Tell me about what happened Friday night,” she said.

Kieran’s free hand clenched. “You need to understand that I was saddened by the breakup with Haley. I haven’t been out much. I was home, alone, bored, restless. I went to the club to break out of the rut. But when I saw Haley there . . . with that other man. Dressed the way she was dressed.” A slide show of emotions passed across Kieran’s face. Disappointment. Sadness. Resignation.

“How was she dressed?”

“Her dress didn’t leave anything to the imagination.” His sniff was oddly prudish. “This is going to sound arrogant, but I’d thought she slept with me on our first date because we had some special chemistry. Now I know she was just a slut like most other young women today. They have no interest in commitments or relationships. They just want to hook up.” He used air quotes around the term.

Kieran had a narrow, negative opinion of women. He stopped talking and stared over Morgan’s shoulder. She glanced back, but there was nothing there but a cinder block wall.

Morgan steered him back on topic. “What time did you leave the club?”

Kieran’s gaze dropped to the magazine in his hand. When his gaze lifted, his eyes were shuttered, and his emotions seemed to be back under control. “I don’t remember exactly what time I left, but I didn’t stay that long. If I had to guess, I’d say I left around ten thirty. But I wouldn’t be able to swear to that time.”

“What time did you get home?” she asked.

“I already said I’m not sure.” His tone turned defensive. “I went for a long drive in the country.”

“You must have been upset.”

His gaze lifted to hers. “Why would I have been upset? I already said Haley and I haven’t dated in a long time.”

Morgan paused. “You were not upset to see her with Noah Carter?”

“Not at all. I was merely disappointed in her behavior. Do not put words in my mouth, Ms. Dane.” His voice dropped to a threatening tone. “Are you trying to trap me?”

“Into what?” she asked.

Without the gun, Kieran wasn’t especially physically threatening, and Morgan refused to be bullied by his wealth and position. Did he think they were living in feudal England?

His mouth snapped shut, and his eyes narrowed to mean slits. “Typical lawyer. Talking in circles. Trying to twist my words around. I won’t play your legal games.”

“I assure you, I’m not playing.” Morgan’s head pounded, and she lacked the patience to deal with his bull.

Kieran’s personality had done an about-face after Lance had left the basement. Did he have such little respect for women, or was it because there wasn’t a witness present? Either way, Kieran was either trying to intimidate her or he was unstable. Maybe both.

“I think we’re done here.” Kieran closed the box of bullets and picked up the pistol. “Where is your partner?”

Coffee sloshed uneasily in Morgan’s belly. That was a very good question. She could think of only one topic that might distract Kieran from Lance’s absence. It was time to poke the badger.

She leaned forward a few inches. “Eight years ago, you were arrested in Connecticut for stalking your ex-wife. Can you explain?”

Except for a twitch next to his left eye, Kieran’s face froze.

“Did you text her multiple times a day, demanding to know where she was and who she was with?” Morgan propped her hand on her hip, closer to her own weapon. “Like you did with Haley.”

“My ex-wife has mental health issues. The charges were dropped.” Despite his explanation, livid red crept up his neck, and his gaze hardened. “My attorney made sure that the arrest record was erased. How did you get a copy?”

Morgan met his gaze head-on. “You can erase official records, but an article in the newspaper lives forever.”

Glaring, Kieran shoved the magazine into the handgrip.

Where is Lance?





Chapter Twenty-Five

Lance hurried down the hallway. He didn’t have much time. The house was large, but Haley had said the study was near the master bedroom. He took the stairs two at a time, keeping an eye out for the butler. On the left, a set of double doors stood open to reveal a library. He turned right and went through another set of double doors to another hallway. A long carpet runner silenced his steps. He glanced in open doorways as he walked. He passed several bedrooms, impersonally decorated. How many guest rooms could a house have?

He stopped in front of another set of double doors. He listened at the door but heard no sounds. Cracking the door open a few inches, he peeked inside. It was the only room that looked even remotely lived in. He peered in the closet at perfectly neat rows of men’s clothes and shoes. This must be the master bedroom. It was the size of Lance’s whole house.