day in his office, although she can’t say what the debate was about.”
Kate dropped her head. “They think Ryan killed Jake. For what? Money?”
“Money’s a huge motivator for some people,” Simone said softly. “Ryan stood to make a killing if Amatroxin was approved. Jake developed it, he had a hand in testing it, but with him out of the way, the wealth floats to the top.”
“You don’t honestly believe that,” Kate said, bile rising in her stomach.
“No, Kate. I don’t. But that’s the way the police are going to paint it.”
“And Janet Kelly? They think he killed her to cover up the research study?”
“They’ll be able to link Janet Kelly to Jake through the nursing home. They’ll try to prove Ryan covered up evidence. If word got out illegal trials had taken place in the States, Amatroxin would never be approved.”
Kate’s eyes slid closed. “And the car?”
Simone sighed. “They’ll try to say he tampered with the brakes, knowing you’d be in it alone. With you out of the way, he double-benefits. He doesn’t have to pay back the life insurance claim, and there’s no one to ask questions about Tabofren. You’re the key to all of this, Kate.”
A few hours ago, her future had looked bright and promising. Now, she wasn’t sure how she’d get through the next hour without losing her slight grasp on reality. She wrapped her arms around herself. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Simone skirted the counter. Bracing both hands on Kate’s arms, she said, “Listen to me. The police can’t charge Ryan with anything at this point because their evidence is all circumstantial. You and I both know Ryan is not capable of any of that. I’m only pointing out what the DA’s going to say if things escalate. Not what’s reality.”
Kate’s eyes locked on Simone’s. Her head and heart were caught in a fierce battle. The man she’d fallen in love with couldn’t possibly be capable of murder, of conspiracy, of cover up. If he were, then it meant he’d known about her disappearance all along. And she couldn’t believe that. Not after the things he’d shared with her, the emotions he’d pulled out of her in such a short amount of time.
But always in the back of her head was that nagging voice saying she didn’t know the real Ryan Harrison. The steely businessman who’d built a pharmaceutical empire hadn’t done so by being sweet and loving. There were qualities about Ryan Harrison, CEO, she knew he kept hidden from her. Were they finally emerging?
No matter how she looked at it, the lies that had ruled her life for five long years were once again consuming her.
Kate shook her head. “I don’t know what I believe anymore, Simone. I just know I can’t trust him. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust what he tells me again.”
***
Ryan ducked into Mitch’s Land Rover. A handful of reporters closed in on them, trying to get a statement. Cameras were thrust against the windows, microphones held out for any sort of comment.
Dropping his head, Ryan rubbed his temples while Mitch pulled away from the police station. He tugged his cell from his pocket and dialed Hannah’s number.
“Ryan, I’m glad you called. The press is hounding me.”
“No comment, Hannah. Get a memo drafted for the employees. No one talks to the press. And I mean no one. Fax it to me at home before you send it out.”
“The press is staked out on your front lawn, Ryan,” Mitch cut in.
“Shit. Fax it to Mitch’s house, Hannah. I’ll be there for a while.”
“Okay,” she said. “Are you finished downtown?”
“For now.” Disgust pooled in his gut at the accusations the detectives had thrown out. “I need you to get me the surveillance tapes from the building garage. Someone used my car last week without my knowledge.”
“I can do that.”
“And Burton may call with information. If he does, reroute it to me.”
“Will do. Ryan?” she asked hesitantly. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He shrugged off her concern. “Find Ron Grayson for me as well. I need him on this.”
“I’ll find him. Don’t worry, Ryan.”
Don’t worry. Yeah, right. Like that was possible at this point. He closed the phone. Resting his elbow on the windowsill, he massaged his throbbing head. “Where’s Katie?” he asked without glancing at Mitch.
“Simone’s house.” He hesitated. “Ryan, she knows about McKellen.”
Closing his eyes, he drew in a steadying breath. He could only imagine what was going through that stubborn mind of hers. He