Adele turnedaway in disgust and glanced back at Paige. Her would-be partner shrugged.
“Stay here,”Adele said, expressionless. “I’m going to look up what you have to say. But ifyou’re lying to me…” She pointed a firm finger toward their suspect.
Gabriel, though,was no longer paying attention. He had nearly melted in the chair now, and wasscooted so low his head was nearly in line with the metal back support. Adelecould see the panic in his eyes as he considered the implications of what camenext.
If he wastelling her the truth, he would be in trouble. If he fled the US, avoidingwarrants or fines, France would most likely extradite. Especially to play nicewith Interpol. But also, if he was telling the truth, it meant he wasn’t akiller.
Reluctantly, sheopened the interrogation room door and moved out into the hall, heading forRobert’s office with reluctant, uneven steps. The background check wouldn’ttake long if the name he’d provided was accurate.
They were backto square one. Adele knew Agent Paige wouldn’t let her hear the end of it. Butworse, it meant a killer was still out there.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Check it again,”said Adele, then added, “please.”
Robertreadjusted in his chair behind his large oak desk. The quiet ticking of the woodenclock above the door was followed closely by clacking from the computer’skeyboard. At last, Robert paused, then looked up. “There is indeed a warrantout for Marcus Short.”
Adele felt herchest tighten. The last vestiges of hope faded to a resigned inevitability. “Areyou sure?” she said, though her heart wasn’t in it. Adele moved away from thedoor and circled the desk to peer over her mentor’s shoulder.
Robert scowledin mock offense. “I’ll have you know, I’m becoming quite adept with thesethings. Computers aren’t so tough after all.” He affectionately patted the sideof his monitor.
“That’s not thecomputer,” said Adele. “It’s the screen. But your point is taken.”
A picture ofGabriel Waters was displayed on the screen next to the name Marcus Short. Asshe scanned the information, she reached out and scrolled with the mouse. “Suspendedmedical license,” she murmured, her mood souring even more.
Robert jerkedthe mouse away from her, though, and said, “All right, grabby hands, just tellme what you need…”
“Scroll down alittle. When was the warrant issued?”
Robert glanceddown at the bottom of the screen. Then whistled. “He’s been wanted for the lasttwo years. Looks like his story checks out.” Robert winced and glanced over hisshoulder at Adele. “Sorry.”
She grunted indisgust, then moved away from the desk once more. Adele could feel Robertwatching as she moved back over to her own desk. Instead of sitting, sheplopped down on the edge of the desk and crossed her legs before folding herhands in her lap and staring out across the room.
“Well,” shesaid, “that’s it. Back to square one.”
“Ever wonder whyit has to be a square? I mean… why not an oval? Or a cube?” Robert asked, stilllooking at his computer screen.
Before Adelecould reply, Agent Paige appeared in the doorway. Adele stiffened as the agentcleared her throat. “Well,” Paige said. “That was a waste of time.”
Adele frowned. “Youcheck the records too?”
Paige nodded,barely concealing a self-satisfied smirk. “His story checks out. Plus, he has asolid alibi for the night of Amanda’s death. Not our man.”
Adele’s knuckleswhitened where her hands clasped each other in her lap. “No,” she said, “Iguess not.”
Paige glancedfrom Robert to Adele. “Any other brilliant leads?” she asked, cheerfully.
Adele glared. “Hey,”she said, “I’m trying here. You have a better idea?”
Agent Paigeleaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms and pressing her fingersagainst the sleeves of her gray suit. “You’re the Interpol attaché. What’s yourbrilliant plan? Any other wannabe Casanovas you’d like to arrest?” She smirked.“Not getting lonely, are you?”
Adele narrowedher eyes at the older woman. “It was a solid lead and the right call.”
“Right call?”Paige snorted. “How was that the right call? We arrested a man for showing hisjunk to a couple of women.”
“No, we arresteda man who fled when we approached him for questioning. And like I said, if youdon’t have any better ideas—”
“You know whatyour problem is?” Paige said, matching the frustration in Adele’s tone.
Adele pushedoff her desk and stood to her feet, hands loose at her side. “No, what?”
“Ladies,” Robertinterrupted, also rising from his chair. The shorter man didn’t cut an imposingfigure, but he kept his tone calm anyway, speaking gently. “Please,” he said, “there’sno need for this.”
Paige rounded onRobert. “You stay out of this,” she snapped. “If I need the advice of an oldfossil, I’ll ask.”
“Hey,” Adeleretorted, stepping toward Paige, “watch it! Show some respect.”
Paige’s narrowedeyes leveled back on Adele, and she made a tsking sound through her teeth. “Isthis how he taught you to investigate? I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re stilltrapped in an old way of thinking. If we find out someone else died, it will beyour fault. Both of you!”
“There’s noneed—” Robert began.
But Agent Paigedidn’t let him finish. “No need?” She jammed a finger at Adele. “You know whatthis bitch did?”
Robert flinched,and his expression darkened. “Careful,” he said, scowling for the first time.
“No, you becareful,” Paige snapped. “You’re in bed with a snake. Is that what you do up atthat mansion of his? Get in bed?” She whirled back on Adele, her eyes flashing.
Adele hadn’trealized it, but she’d taken another two steps, her hands bunched at her side;she now stood only an arm’s length from the older woman.
Paige’s eyesnarrowed. “What are you going to do about it?” she demanded.
“Shut up,” Adelesnapped. She was tired of playing this game. Tired of trying to be polite,trying to deflect frustration. Agent Paige was going out of her way to be acomplete liability. Adele refused to stand by, watching as Paige insultedRobert.
“I don’t takeorders from you,” Paige growled. “Even though you might want me to.”
“I told you,”the sound of gritted teeth stressing the words, “I never meant for any of thatto happen. I saw evidence missing and I reported it. What should I have done?”
Paige went stiffagain, as she had the last time the subject had been breached. “You nearly costme my marriage. You cost me my job.”
Robert clearedhis throat. “The same way you’re trying to get me
