Too Many Secrets

TWENTY

"Kurt, I don't want to fight with you anymore. I don't want to argue about who is guilty and who is innocent. I want us both to look at the evidence and use that as our guide to which perp needs to be brought in."

He touched her chin, moving her face toward his. When her eyes locked with his, he nodded. "I can do it if you can."

"I can do it."

"Good. And now that we have that out of the way, there's one more thing I want to discuss."

"What's that?"

"This." He closed the space between them and placed his lips on hers. She sucked in a quick breath, but within moments, relaxed. As she moved her lips back and forth with his, he slipped an arm around her waist. He knew this wasn't the place to make-out, even though it would be enjoyable. But he just needed a kiss. This one—as short as it was—would suffice for now.

He pulled away, adjusted his seat, and pulled on his seatbelt. "Where to next?"

"Back to the station. We have some evidence to go over, again, and more people to interview today."

He nodded. "Excellent plan."

Deep in his heart, he knew things would work out with him and Brittany. All they needed was to communicate better.

* * * *

Voices of Austin's board members filled the room in heavy discussion about the upcoming takeover, but Austin couldn't concentrate. He hadn't stopped thinking about Brittany, especially now that she told him about being a police detective. How didn't he see that? Apparently, she was a really good actress...or he was extremely naïve.

Part of him wanted to trust her with all of his heart, but there was always that niggle of doubt in the back of his mind. Life's experiences taught him that the police force treated wealthy people differently. For some reason, they had it in their minds that wealthy people tend to ignore the law. Austin worried Brittany would have this attitude, as well.

Why he had fallen so fast—and hard—for this amazing woman, he didn't know. It would certainly break his heart if he couldn't trust her.

Yesterday, he'd wanted to confess something to her about his relationship with Hillary Banks, but once Brittany had admitted her true identity, he didn't dare say anything. Not now. Not until he knew without a doubt, that he could trust her.

And then there was the problem with Kurt Hamill. Austin would never trust that particular cop. Austin had learned a long time ago who was trustworthy and who would stab him in the back with a sharp blade. Kurt Hamill was the type of man who would run Austin over in a car, and then back up and drive over him again, just for pure satisfaction.

Finally, at long last, the board meeting ended. Austin stuffed his files inside his leather briefcase and moved away from the table. He didn't want to chat with the others, so he made his apologies and quickened his step, hurrying out of the building. Just before reaching his charcoal colored, classic 911 SC Porsche, his cell rang. He checked the caller ID. What was Derek calling him for?

"Hello," Austin answered.

"Hey. Can you talk?"

"Briefly. What's up?"

"I have another girl I want to set you up with."

Austin grinned. "Thanks for thinking about me, but I'm good."

"What do you mean you're good? Did you and that Brittany woman hook up?"

"Yes, we did."

"And...you're not tired of her yet?"

Austin wanted to laugh out loud, but his friend was probably used to calling him every week to set him up with a new woman.

"No, Derek. Brittany Russell is a fascinating woman. I think I'll keep her around just a little longer."

Silence hung on the other end of the phone for a few seconds. Then Derek gasped. "Russell? Did you say her last name was Russell?"

"Yes, why?"

Derek muttered a cuss. "Reeder, I can't believe it! Just a few moments ago, a woman by that name came along with a male detective, and dropped by my place to ask questions about you and Hillary Banks."

"What?" Stunned, Austin stood frozen by his car with the door open. "Why would they talk to you?"

Derek huffed. "Because I guess you had mentioned my name as someone who sets you up with women. They think I'm a pimp or something."

Austin wanted to laugh, but he refrained. He was too upset to find humor in Derek's new title. It infuriated Austin to think Brittany and her i***t partner had the nerve to question Derek! What possible evidence would Derek have had?

"I'll handle this," Austin snapped and climbed into his car. "Those detectives have stepped way over the line this time."

"So Reeder? What's going on? Do they really suspect you in that murder case just because you knew Hillary?"

"Derek, I'll talk to you later. Right now, I need to find someone and get the answers myself." Austin clicked off the phone without waiting for his friend's reply.

Anger fueled his actions, and he stomped on the gas pedal, going faster than what he should. Zipping in and out of traffic, he focused on one thing. Finding Brittany.

* * * *

Brittany walked into her apartment and closed the door. Leaning against the thick piece of wood, she blew out a sigh of despair. She had thrown herself into her job today, mainly to keep her mind off Austin and Kurt, and the confusing feelings she'd experienced with them lately.

Kurt's words this morning had got her thinking, which at this point in a relationship, could be very dangerous. Had she fallen in love with Austin because he was rich? Was it because of his incredible good looks and charm? She had never fallen for a man so quickly, so why had she done it this time?

Rubbing her throbbing head, she walked into her living room and plopped down onto the couch. She'd been too busy to think of her feelings for these two men, but now she was exhausted from everything she'd accomplished. The detectives in the precinct had interviewed more people, and from these interviews, they'd gotten more leads. But they still weren't any closer to finding Hillary Bank's killer.

Kurt, Tyrone, and Gibbs leaned more toward Austin and Chad Johnson, mainly because they were rich. She happened to think the congressman's son, Tim Beaton, had a questionable alibi. None of these men—save for one—admitted to having paid for Hillary's services. Was Austin the only honorable man on the precinct's list of suspects?

Nothing made sense. While she was interviewing leads, Kurt tried to find out everyone in Seattle that might have a collection of medieval weapons. The medical examiner had the broken piece, so all they needed to do was to find the rest of the weapon in hopes of catching the murderer.

Around four-thirty, they had returned to Isabella's Escort Service, only to find it had been closed for the day. Figures. Both she and Kurt knew that escort business was hiding something. Apparently, they were trying to conceal the owner, Mr. Martin. What other things have they disclosed?