Golden Lies - Barbara Freethy [27]
"Are you the officer investigating my father's attack?" she asked Tony.
"And you are?"
"Paige Hathaway. I'm his daughter."
"I'm sorry about your father, Ms. Hathaway."
"Thank you. Can you tell me any more about what happened?"
"Not yet, I'm afraid. We're still investigating the scene. Do you know what business your father had in Chinatown?"
"I have no idea."
"Did he have friends there? Business associates?"
"Probably both. My father specializes in purchasing Asian art. He has many contacts in the Chinese community."
"Sounds like we'll need a big net. I'll need you to sit down with someone and give us a list of names. But right now I'd like to speak to your mother. Is she available?"
"She's in the waiting room."
Before Tony could move down the hall, the elevator doors opened and a uniformed officer stepped out. Tony walked over to greet him, and they began to converse in hushed tones.
"What do you think that's about?" Paige asked Riley.
"Probably your father's case."
"I hope they caught the bastard."
"If they didn't, they will," he reassured her.
"They better. It's cold in here, don't you think?" She shivered, clasping her arms more tightly about her waist.
Riley shouldn't have put his arms around her. He knew it as soon as her breasts brushed his chest. But it was too late then. Her cheek was pressed against his heart, her hair tickled his chin, and her arms crept around his body, holding on to him with a tight desperation that he suspected had a lot to do with fear. He wished he had as good an excuse for hugging her back.
"I'm sorry," Paige said, pulling away far too soon. "I don't know what came over me. I don't usually throw myself into people's arms like that."
"Miss Hathaway?" Tony walked back to join them. "Do you recognize this bracelet?" He extended his hand, a gold bangle in his palm.
She shook her head. "I've never seen it before. Where did you find it?"
"It was found near your father. It might not have anything to do with him, but there's an inscription. It says 'Jasmine, my love'. Do you know anyone named Jasmine?"
"Jasmine," Paige echoed, looking confused. "I -- I don't think so."
Despite her denial, Riley had the feeling something in the name had registered with Paige.
"I'll ask your mother." Tony closed his fingers over the bracelet.
"Wait," Paige said. "Do you need to ask her now? She's upset."
"If this bracelet can help us find who assaulted your father ..."
"You're right," Paige agreed. "Go ahead."
"From what I've seen, your mother is a very strong woman," Riley said quietly as they watched the detective stride away.
Paige looked at him with indecision in her eyes. "Yes, she is."
"You've heard the name Jasmine before, haven't you?"
She hesitated. "There's a painter named Jasmine Chen. We've bought some of her work for the store. But that doesn't mean that she and my father ... He wouldn't do that. He's not a bad man. At least, I don't think he is." She pressed a hand to her temple, looking paler than she had before. "The truth is I don't know what kind of man he is, and I'm terrified that I won't have the chance to find out. What if he doesn't make it? God, I shouldn't have said that."
"Give yourself a break. You're human."
"No, I'm a Hathaway. The press will be all over this before morning. And if there's speculation about another woman ..." she let out a sigh. "I should get back to my mother. She might need me." She paused, then let out an odd laugh that sounded incredibly sad. "Who am I kidding? She doesn't need me. I didn't even think she needed my father until a few minutes ago." Paige seemed to be talking to herself more than to him. She suddenly started. "Was I talking out loud?"
"I didn't hear a thing," he lied.
She stared at him for a long moment. "I can't quite figure you out."
"Likewise," he replied.
"Thanks for the ride."
Riley watched her walk away, the stiffness of her spine no doubt worthy of the very best Hathaway. She had her game face back on, and she would do anything to protect her family.
But right now he had his own family to worry about