The Pursuit of Lies, A Romantic Suspense Novel (Book #4, Paradise Valley Mysteries)

by Debra Burroughs

“Yes, of course.”

  Chapter 5

  Colin tried not to fidget as Detective Roberts returned to the interrogation room with another detective to begin the questioning. Alex had directed Colin not to say anything, so they were hopeful that the interrogation wouldn’t last long.

  The detective leaned on the table, assuming an intimidating stance that Colin knew all too well. “Where were you last night, Mr. Andrews, between the hours of seven and midnight?”

  “Don’t answer that,” Alex ordered.

  “But, Alex—”

  “Silence.” Alex frowned at Colin, who was straining against his attorney’s directive.

  Colin leaned over and whispered into Alex’s ear. “I was home alone.”

  “According to Ms. Laraway’s appointment calendar, she had a date with Colin last night.”

  “No! That can’t—”

  “Colin, please. Stop talking. He’s just trying to bait you.”

  After stonewalling one question after another, Roberts slammed his fist on the table, apparently exasperated by Colin’s lack of cooperation. “You’re just digging yourself deeper, Andrews. It’ll go a lot better for you if you cooperate and answer the questions.”

  Colin knew these interrogation tactics—he’d used them himself—but it was different being on the receiving end of the accusations.

  Alex folded his hands on the table. “If you’re looking for a confession here, Roberts, you’ve come to the wrong person. My client is innocent.”

  “My pile of evidence says otherwise, Mr. Martínez. The fingerprints, the DNA, the photo we found of the two of them snuggling together for the camera. Hell, we even have the florist’s note, still stuck in the pot of red flowers he sent to her, with his name on it.”

  My fingerprints and DNA? What flowers?

  “Whether he sent her a potted plant, or not, proves nothing,” Alex said.

  Colin frowned at the mention of the flowers, shaking his head. He hadn’t sent any.

  “What was the cause of death, Detective?” Alex asked.

  “Looked like stab wounds. We’re still looking for the knife.”

  “I see. So you have my client’s prints, which could have been left there at any time, you have a pot of flowers with his name written on it by a florist, and you have no murder weapon.”

  “We’ve also learned Andrews is engaged to that feisty private eye over in Paradise Valley, Emily Parker. So if he was seeing Ms. Laraway on the side, and she threatened to tell his fiancée, shutting her up would give him plenty of motive.”

  Why were they bringing Emily into this?

  “All circumstantial. You’re grasping at straws, Roberts.”

  “You think so, Alex? We’ve had our CSI techs going through Laraway’s laptop and her cell phone. They’ve discovered some pretty explicit texts and emails between the two of them that prove they were having an affair.”

  “That can’t be!” Colin was outraged.

  “Ms. Laraway’s condo building has security cameras and we’ve already gotten the tapes. The one facing the parking lot clearly shows the back of a red Jeep Wrangler with a license plate that shows the vehicle belongs to you, Andrews.”

  What is going on?

  Colin’s head snapped in Alex’s direction and he felt his eyes go wide with the fear that was filling him.

  Karl Kingsley, the junior detective, leaned in toward Colin. “And the DNA we found at her condo has been sent to the lab. When it comes back as your DNA, which we believe it will, that’ll be the final nail in your coffin.”

  “If you want to play hardball, we’re happy to play,” Detective Roberts said. “You don’t want to cooperate, Andrews? Fine.” He stood, picking up his folder. “You leave me no choice but to place you under arrest. We’ll take you over to booking and get you out of those fancy duds.”

  “You won’t look so snazzy in one of our orange jumpsuits,” the junior detective quipped.

  “On your feet, Andrews, I’ve got to put your bracelets on.” Roberts dangled the handcuffs in front of Colin before walking around behind him. “Colin Andrews, you are under arrest for the murder of Assistant District Attorney Allison Laraway.”

  “Treat him with some respect,” Alex encouraged. “He’s a fellow officer.”

  “That makes him all the worse,” Roberts retorted, clamping down hard on Colin’s wrists. “A bad cop killing an ADA.”

  “I don’t want him put in the general population, Roberts.”

  “We’ll see what we can do.”

  “You’d better be kidding, Roberts,” Alex said. “And I expect to see all your evidence by Monday morning.”

  “You’ll have to take that up with the DA,” Detective Roberts replied, tugging on Colin’s arm.

  “I realize that, so you’d better get it over to him,” Alex snapped.

  “Call Emily,” Colin begged Alex as he was pulled from the room. His voice was filled with raw desperation, a tone unfamiliar even to himself. “Tell her I’m innocent—and that I love her.”

  ~*~

  When Alex arrived home, Isabel and Emily were seated at the casual dining table next to the open kitchen, talking quietly. Wearing a pair of Isabel’s pajamas and a robe, Emily sipped her hot tea then set the cup down on the glass tabletop.

  The instant Emily saw Alex appear in the side hallway leading in from the garage, she was on her feet. “Alex, what on earth is going on? Isabel won’t tell me anything.”

  “Sorry, Em, that’s my fault. I asked her not to. I thought it’d be best if she waited ‘til I got home and spoke with you myself.”

  “That sounds bad.” Emily sank back down in her chair.

  “I’m not going to lie to you, it is. The police have quite a bit of incriminating evidence, but so far it’s all circumstantial.”

  “So they didn’t just want to question him, like the detective said.” Emily had had a bad feeling when she stood at the living room window and watched the police take Colin away.

  “They did ask a lot of questions, but I instructed Colin not to answer them.”

  “But if he didn’t do it…” Emily took another sip of tea, willing her hands not to shake as she lifted the cup to her lips.

  “One wrong slip of the tongue could cause more damage than good. He has no alibi for the time of the murder and the detective claims they have compelling evidence that he was—”

  “He was what?” Emily sat up straight, anticipating Alex’s next words.

  “I hate to have to say this, Emily, but the police believe Colin was having an affair with Allison Laraway.”

  “What? That’s absurd!” Isabel asserted. “Colin would never do that.”

  “I agree—that’s ludicrous,” Emily said, trying to convince herself as much as she was the others. “He loves me. I know he does.”

  “Of course he does.” Isabel patted Emily’s hand that was clenched on the table. “The guy is crazy in love with you. Anybody can see that.”

  “What kind of proof do they claim to have?” Emily worked to keep her voice steady.

  Alex went through the litany of evidence the detective had listed for him, which was enough to convince any rational person that Colin was the killer.

  Emily crossed her arms on the table and laid her head down.

  “Em? Are you all right?” Isabel laid her hand on Emily’s arm.

  “We can talk more about this in the morning if you’d like,” Alex spoke in a calming voice.

  Emily pulled herself up straight in her chair. “Do you think he did it, Alex?”

  “The evidence is overwhelming, Em, but no, I don’t believe he did it.”

  “What makes you say that? Because the evidence does seem pretty compelling.” Emily looked Alex in the eye. “I don’t want to believe it either—I’m in love with him—but what am I supposed to think when they claim to have him on tape going into her condo the night she was killed. I’ll never be that blind again.”

  “Look, Emily, even if he was at her place, it
doesn’t mean he killed her,” Alex replied.

  “I spoke to him on the phone Thursday night and he told me he was staying home, that he was going to relax, watch some TV, go to bed early. Now you’re telling me that he and his Jeep are caught on tape at Allison’s condo building.”

  “He’s adamant that he’s innocent.” Alex’s voice was calm and steady. “It’s our job to figure out why all this evidence is pointing to him and then dispute it.”

  “How can we dispute his fingerprints and DNA being found in the condo if he claims he was never there?” Emily asked.

  “Someone could be setting him up,” Alex suggested.

  “Or maybe he’s been lying to us all about who he is, all the while living a lie behind our backs.” Emily put her head down on her arms again.

  “Are you talking about Colin or Evan?” Isabel asked.

  Emily didn’t want to admit it, but her experience of recently finding out her late husband was not the man he claimed to be could be coloring her reaction to the accusations against Colin. “Maybe I am blurring the line between the two of them, but what am I supposed to think when the police have this mountain of evidence that’s piling up against Colin? It feels like Evan all over again.”

  “But it’s not Evan, it’s Colin. Ex-marine, police detective, stand-up guy who’s honest to a fault.” Alex rose from his seat. “I’m tired and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. I suggest we all try to get some sleep.”

  “Since it’s Friday night, Colin won’t be arraigned until Monday, will he?” Emily stood too.

  “That’s right,” Alex replied. “Probably not until at least eleven.”

  “Can you get me in to see him tomorrow?”

  “I’ll do my best. You are my investigator.”

  “Did they put him in the general population?” Emily knew anyone in law enforcement would likely be brutalized by the inmates.

  “I told them not to, but the detective said he’d try. It sounded like he was attempting to send a message.”

  “Oh, Alex.” Emily pushed her curls off her face with both hands, worried what that might mean.

  “He’s an ex-marine, Em. He can take care of himself.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Don’t worry about him, he’ll be all right. The last thing he said to me was, ‘Take care of Emily,’ and, ‘tell her I’m innocent and I love her.’”

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she gave Alex a hug. “Thank you.” She was relieved to have his and Isabel’s support.

  Isabel stepped in and put her arms around them both. “We’ll get through this, Em.”

  ~*~

  The next morning, Emily awoke to strange surroundings. She sat up and ran her fingers through her full mane of hair. Glancing around with bleary eyes, it took her a minute to recognize where she was—in Isabel’s guest room—and to remember why she was there.

  Memories of the events of the previous night rushed back at her. Her heart began to pound, blood throbbing at her temples. She flopped back against the pillows. “Colin,” she groaned, massaging the sides of her head.

  Maybe this is all just a bad dream. Please, God, let me wake up.

  There was a light knock at the bedroom door, then it opened slightly and Isabel poked her head in. “You awake?”

  “Barely. Come on in.” Emily rubbed her eyes and yawned.

  Isabel moved to the bed and sat on the edge of it.

  “Tell me I’m dreaming, Is.”

  “I wish I could. Did you get any sleep?”

  “Tossed and turned most of the night, trying to wrap my head around the evidence Alex said the police have against Colin. I guess I eventually fell asleep out of pure exhaustion.”

  “I know it’s a lot to take in, Em, but we’ll figure it out.” Isabel patted Emily’s leg. “Why don’t you come down and have some coffee, then we’ll talk.”

  Isabel rose and drifted toward the door. She glanced back at Emily with a somber expression on her face. “Alex said the DA will likely push for the death penalty.”

  Emily’s eyes shot open at the thought and her hand flew over her gaping mouth. Then her eyes narrowed as she lowered her hand and set her jaw. “We can’t let that happen.”

  Chapter 6

  Emily padded into the kitchen, still wrapped in Isabel’s pajamas and robe. She glanced around. “Did I hear something about coffee?”

  Isabel was seated at the kitchen table, reading the morning news on her laptop. She closed it as soon as Emily walked in. “Yes, let me get you a cup. Sit, sit.” She popped up and hurried into the open kitchen. There were bran muffins and fruit sitting out on the large granite-topped center island.

  “Thanks.” Emily pulled out a chair and dropped down onto it. “Where’s Alex?”

  “He went down to the jail to see Colin.”

  “Already?” she snapped. “He knew I wanted to go with him.”

  “Here we are.” Isabel set the steaming cup down in front of Emily, along with a muffin and a few strawberries on a small plate. “Everyone wants to help clear Colin. I’ve already gotten calls this morning from Camille and Maggie. Even Peter wants to know what he can do to help.”

  “Peter?”

  “Oh, and also Ernie Kaufmann phoned. He wants you to call him back this morning.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t sit here and eat.” Emily pushed the plate away. “Where’s my phone?” Emily glanced around for her purse.

  “Ernie can wait for five more minutes, Em. Now eat.”

  ~*~

  Once Emily was finished downing her muffin and coffee, she raced upstairs, phone in hand, to get changed.

  “Ernie, this is Emily. What have you found out?”

  “Morning, Emily.”

  “Sorry to be rude, but I’m desperate to hear any news.”

  “All right. The Boise cops have Colin’s prints at the ADA’s condo and—”

  “Yes, I already know that. Alex was with Colin, as his attorney, when they questioned him and he filled me in last night on what they have so far.”

  “Well, maybe you ought to tell me what you already know, so I’m not repeating.”

  Emily ran down the list of items Alex had shared with her the night before. A sickening feeling swirled in her stomach as she ticked off the different pieces of condemning evidence. “It sounds bad, doesn’t it?”

  “What it sounds like and what it is are two different things, little lady. That’s our Colin they’re holding, and we know he would never do what they’re accusing him of.”

  “I keep trying to tell myself that, Ernie, but it’s hard—knowing there’s a video of him walking into Allison’s building with her that night, not to mention they have a photo of his car in her parking lot. Alex said his license plate is clearly in view.”

  “He’s not a murderer—I’d stake my life on it. I’ve known that boy most of his life. He’s always lived with a clear view of what’s right and wrong. He loves you, Emily, and he’d never step out on you, I don’t care what that video shows.”

  “Do you think it could be altered?” Emily was beginning to believe that was the only way it could show something that wasn’t true.

  “Seems like these days anything can be doctored.”

  “Is there anything else you can tell me that Alex hasn’t?”

  “I heard this morning that Detective Roberts has obtained a search warrant for Colin’s apartment. They’re probably over there right now going through his place with a fine-tooth comb.”

  “Are they looking for something specific? Or is it a general hunting expedition?”

  “My guess is they’re looking for the murder weapon.”

  Pain gripped Emily’s stomach, as if someone had a stranglehold on her intestines. She knew if the murder weapon was found at his place, it was unlikely they could get anyone to believe he was innocent.

  “What about Colin’s folks?” she asked, redirecting the conversation. “Has anyone called them?”

  “I phoned them last nigh
t, didn’t want them hearing about it on the news. His dad and I have been buddies for a long time—I thought it was probably best coming from me.”

  “How are they taking it?” Emily couldn’t imagine getting a phone call like that in the middle of the night, especially when Colin’s dad was recovering from a serious heart attack.

  “Not well, as you can expect. I talked to them again this morning to check on Jim. Donna had called their doctor to give him some kind of sedative to keep him calm, something that wouldn’t interact with his heart meds. She couldn’t stop crying. Sounded like she could have used some, too.”

  Emily sunk down on the edge of the bed, fighting back tears herself. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She hadn’t met Colin’s parents yet—they lived in San Francisco—but from the way Colin always spoke about them, they sounded like wonderful people. They were thrilled with the engagement, he’d told her.

  “What about your folks, Emily?”

  “Mom passed away before I married Evan, and Dad’s been in a facility for Alzheimer patients since before Mom died. He doesn’t even know me anymore.”

  “Sorry, Emily, I didn’t know. Any other family?”

  “A sister in Maine, but we’re not close. She doesn’t know anything about the engagement. So, if she’d heard that Colin Andrews was arrested for murder, she wouldn’t know who he was anyway.”

  “I feel bad you’re all alone.”

  “I’m not alone, Ernie. I have friends here—they’re my family now. Besides, I don’t want you spending time worrying about me.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “We have more important things to focus on, like this murder. Alex promised to try to get me in to see Colin today.”

  “That’s good. I hope he can get our boy out on bond.”

  “Me too.”

  “Well, I’d better let you go, Emily.”

  “Let me know if you find out anything else.” The search warrant was forefront in her mind.

  ~*~

  Emily slipped back into her little black dress, the only clothes she had at Isabel’s, and went downstairs to talk to her friend, carrying her high heels in one hand and her phone in the other.

  When she walked into the great room, she found Isabel sitting on the sofa, balancing her slim computer on her lap. She glanced up when Emily came in. “Hey, I recognize that dress.”