with it. “Do you seriously think someone killed her?” He expected the case to be open and shut. Leave it to Aubrey to cause him trouble even in death.
“The circumstances of her death are suspicious. I assume your office will confirm the time you returned after lunch.”
“Speak to my assistant. Kelly saw me when I arrived.”
Kelly wouldn’t contradict him. Not if she wanted a favorable response from him. She craved his attention. Maybe he’d even get her a latte and one of those scones she liked so much. It was so easy to keep her in line.
The cop had nothing. If he wanted to fish, let him. He wouldn’t find anything in this pond. Or the lake. No one would find anything.
“Where were you this morning between eight thirty and nine?”
That question caught him off guard. Apparently it showed, because the cop’s gaze intensified. It took Clint a second to put the conversation back on Aubrey. “I thought you said Aubrey was seen with Liz at lunch?”
“That’s right. Where were you this morning during the time I specified?”
“I don’t see how where I was this morning has anything to do with Aubrey.”
“And Liz is your ex?” The detective’s abrupt switch from Aubrey to Liz threw him.
“That’s right.”
“Based on the conversation you had with her at lunch, are you hoping the two of you get back together?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“I’d say it’s a no, especially after I saw her with Tate.” The cop gave him a look.
Clint fumed. “He broke up with her.”
“That’s what she thought, too, until he explained he lost his phone this morning.”
Shit. They tied the phone to him. Or so they thought. “Let me guess, he had a change of heart, came up with some bullshit story about losing his phone to cover, then pleaded with her to understand and take him back.” He rolled his eyes. “The guy has been stringing her along for years. If she can’t see this is just another game he’s playing to keep her tied to him, that’s too bad for her. He’s the reason we broke up. He doesn’t want her to be with someone who really cares about her. He just wants to keep her all to himself.”
“Aubrey’s mother said that’s how you treated Aubrey. Like something that belonged to you.”
No one understood his relationship, his dedication, to first Aubrey, and now Liz. “I tried to be there for Aubrey, to protect her from herself. In the end, I realized I couldn’t help someone who didn’t want to be helped. Someone who didn’t think she needed help.” Someone who didn’t dedicate herself to being better and everything he needed her to be the way he’d been everything to her.
“Do you think Liz needs your help?”
“I tried to tell her that if Tate really wanted her, he’d have done something about it long before now. She’s a beautiful, kind, loving woman who deserves someone who loves her, not someone who just wants her sole attention but doesn’t want to give her the things she needs.”
“You want to be that guy.”
“She knows that. Tate messed that up for us, but we talked today and she knows that I still care. I want her to be happy. From what you said, it appears Tate is still playing games.”
“I saw them together. Looked to me like Tate was all in.”
That pissed him off, but he tried not to show it. “That’s what he wants her to think.” His well-laid plans fell apart too quickly. He needed a better tactic to prove to Liz she’d made a mistake with Tate.
He needed to help her see that before Tate hurt her again.
“So where were you this morning?”
“Getting ready for work and driving to the office.”
“Anyone see you during that time?”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. “I live alone.”
“What time did you arrive at work?”
He shrugged. “About nine.”
“Do you always start that late?”
“My boss doesn’t care when I get there so long as I put in my eight hours. Now if you don’t mind, my dinner is getting cold.”
“I have just a few more questions.”
“Look, I’m sorry Aubrey took her life, but it has nothing to do with me. I’ve been out of her life for a long time. I’ve moved on, even if she hadn’t.”
“With Liz?”
“Good night.” He shut the door in the officer’s face. Let him think what he wanted, but Clint had no reason to fear he was a suspect, other than the fact that he was connected