Alex Kava Bundle - Alex Kava [282]
“What’s happened to Tess?” Will Finley wanted to know. He looked genuinely concerned.
“Maybe you ought to be tellin’ us,” Manx said from behind Maggie.
“How many times do I have to tell you? I didn’t do anything to her. I haven’t seen her since Monday morning. She hasn’t returned any of my phone calls. I was worried about her.” He scraped a shaking hand over his face.
Maggie wondered how long they had kept him here. He looked exhausted, his nerves frayed. She knew after enough hours of the same questions, in the same room, sitting in the same position, that the most innocent of men could break down.
“Will.” She waited again for his eyes. “We’re not sure what happened to Tess, but she is missing. I’m hoping you might be able to help us find her.”
He stared at her as though he wasn’t sure whether to believe her or if this was a trick.
“Is there anything you can remember?” she continued, keeping her voice calm and steady, unlike Manx’s. “Anything you might be able to tell us that could help us find her?”
“I’m not sure. I mean, I really don’t know her very well.”
“Well enough to fuck her, though, right?” Manx said, insisting on playing out his role as the bad cop.
Maggie ignored him, though Will Finley stared at him and fidg-eted with the appropriate amount of guilt. Manx was right about the kid hiding something. It was the illicitness of the affair, not that he had hurt Tess.
“Where did you spend the night together?”
“Look, I know my rights, and I know I don’t have to answer these questions.” He sounded defensive now. Maggie didn’t blame him, especially since Manx treated him like a suspect.
“No, you don’t need to answer any of my questions. I just thought you might want to help us find her.” Maggie gently tried to persuade him.
“I don’t see how knowing where or when or how or what we did that night is going to help.”
“Hey, kid, you banged an older woman. You should be jumping at the chance to share the details.”
Maggie stood and faced Manx, trying to maintain her calm and bridle her impatience.
“Detective Manx, do you mind if I have a word with Mr. Finley alone?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“And why is that?”
“Well…” Manx hesitated while he manufactured a reason. She could practically hear his rusty gears grinding. “Might not be safe to leave you alone with him.”
“I’m an experienced FBI agent, Detective Manx.”
“You sure don’t dress like one, Agent O’Dell,” he said as he purposely let his eyes slide slowly over her body.
“Tell you what. I’ll take my chances with Mr. Finley.” She glanced over at the officers. “You gentleman can verify that I said that.”
Manx stalled, then finally waved the two officers out of the room. He followed but not before shooting a warning look in Finley’s direction.
“I’d apologize for Detective Manx, but that would mean I was trying to excuse his behavior, and quite honestly, there is no excuse for his behavior.”
She sat back down with a sigh and an absent rub at her eyes. When she looked up at Will Finley, he was smiling.
“I just realized who you are.”
“Excuse me?” Maggie asked.
“You and I have a mutual friend.”
The door opened again, and Maggie jumped to her feet, ready to snap at Manx. It was, instead, one of the other officers. His entire face seemed to be apologetic.
“Sorry, but the kid’s lawyer just got here. He’s insisting on seeing him before any more questioning is—”
“You shouldn’t be questioning him at all,” a voice from the hall interrupted. “At least not without his attorney present.” Nick Morrelli pushed past the officer and into the room. Immediately, his eyes found Maggie’s and his anger gave in to a smile. “Jesus, Maggie. We have to stop meeting like this.”
CHAPTER 52
Harvey greeted Nick at the door with