call me Julianne.”
The woman picked up her tablet. “I need names.”
“Oh, God, no. Please don’t talk to anyone I teach. I need private clients to run my business and the troubled kids would be traumatized if you visited them.”
“All right, for now, we won’t do any interviews of them.”
“What will we do?”
“Tell me about your dating life.”
She flushed. But shit, she was like thousands of other people who did what she had. “I’m on RightMatch.com. It’s an online dating service.”
The detective typed that into her tablet. “As a police officer, I have to warn you that online dating is dangerous for young women.”
“We meet in a public place. In years past, a couple evolved into a…physical relationship, but none in the last year.”
“I want names.”
“For all of them?”
“How many are there?”
“Six. Two became intimate.”
“Start with the earliest. We can investigate them on the internet, phone records or their car’s GPS and see where they were yesterday afternoon. If we can clear them, then no need to talk to them. If not, I’ll let you know who we have to interview.”
She stared at the officer. “This is, um, private, right?”
“I’m going to need other officers to help with the search. And I have to report to the two detectives assigned to the case.”
“Detective Sanders, I know Gideon Casella. He lived next door when we were growing up. That’s where I’m staying until my house is released.”
“Ah, yes, he was there yesterday. You don’t want him to know about the online dating?”
“I don’t want his brother to know. We have a history.”
“Could the brother have done this?”
“A definite no. I was with him when this happened.”
She cocked her head. “Is it Seth Casella? The guy who was stabbed at Legal Aid?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’ll keep this from Gideon, then. He’s not working the case, and that’s probably why.”
“Thanks, Detective Sanders.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Call me Anabelle.”
“I guess I should. Since you’re digging deep into my personal life.”
“A necessary situation, but I can appreciate how difficult this is.”
“Thank you.”
After another half-hour, Anabelle said, “We’re done for now.” She pushed the tablet away. “I’ll be in touch.”
* * *
Seth studied his cousin, who sat across from him at the kitchen table. Her face glowed, her auburn hair was shiny, and her smile broad. Probably because of the guy with her. “You look great, Hayley.”
“Thanks.”
Paul, attractive in his own right with dark hair and blue eyes, slid his arm around her. “She always does.”
“How’s the engagement going? Still blissful?”
“Yep.”
“No fights like in the courtroom?”
“I didn’t say that.” She grinned. “But at least we can have makeup sex now.”
He laughed.
Turning sober now, Hayley donned her lawyer expression. “Enough of us. Tell me how you are. Physically and emotionally.” Leaning forward, she studied his face. “You aren’t as pale as the last time I came out here.”
“Physically, I’m sore, but stronger. I don’t take pain pills anymore. I can get around, and I’ll be able to drive Friday.”
“Have you been housebound that long?” Paul asked.
“No. Mama drives me places during the day.” He looked at Hayley. “And Julianne’s been helping out.”
Hayley’s brows skyrocketed. “Julianne?”
Paul stood. “I think I’ll go for a walk. You and Hayley need some privacy.”
“I—” Seth began.
“No, don’t object. I’ll be back soon.”
After he kissed Hayley’s cheek, then left, Seth said, “I feel bad he thinks he has to go.”
“Don’t. He’s right. We need privacy. Now tell me about Julianne.”
He explained the situation, including the trip to see John Cordello and the break-in.
“So, is she staying here?”
“Yeah. It’s hell. I can stop thinking about her when I don’t see her but now…she was scared last night. She asked me to stay with her. We kissed.”
“Yikes. Is she making up with you?”
“No, she is not.”
“Then this isn’t good.” She gestured to indicate the house. “Want to come and finish your recovery in New York?”
“No, Mama would be offended.”
Hayley took something out of her purse. “Here’s a key to the lake house, and don’t worry, I have others at home and an extra in my purse.”
“That’s an idea. I could probably use some solitude.”
“Feel free. Let us know when you’re going there, okay?”
“Sure. So that’s my life in a nutshell.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time. With the injury and Julianne.”
“It is what it is.” Being with Hayley cheered him. “Tell me some good stuff.”
“We’ve got the space for our office and are officially opening it in a week.”
She and Paul were establishing their own firm in Brooklyn. Hayley wanted to do a lot of pro bono work, but Paul’s