Evidence of Desire

by Lexi Blake

  Oscar nodded. “Okay. Okay.” His eyes teared up. “I’m . . . damn it, I’m sorry. You can punch me if you want to. I’ve been a complete dick.”

  She might have, had the cops had better timing. “I’ll hold that in my back pocket.” She turned to Margarita. “Do we know why the cops are here?”

  “They claim they were looking for Oscar,” Margarita said with no small amount of relish.

  Isla put a hand up because this wasn’t the time or place to continue the argument. “I’m sure they simply want to talk to you. I’m going to ask you to at least let me sit in.”

  Oscar nodded. “Okay.” His eyes closed and when they opened again, there was somber truth in them. “I’m strung out, Isla. I’m hurting bad and I took it out on you. I take it out on everyone.”

  “What have you been on?” At least they were getting to the heart of the problem. Before her death, Portia had been worried about Oscar and drugs.

  “Coke, X, pot, you name it.” He stared at the floor. “And I’m out of cash and I . . . god, I thought about buying H because it’s cheap. I think I need to go to rehab. Would you help me go to rehab?”

  That she could do. Some of her rage quelled. “I think you’re definitely going to rehab. And you need some damn therapy, Oscar. You can’t go on like this. You’re going to lose everyone who cares about you.”

  His hands were shaking as he ran one through his hair. She hadn’t noticed how thin he’d gotten lately. “Anything you want me to do. I can’t believe I did that. I said some terrible things to Miranda.”

  She didn’t have time to start his therapy now. “Let’s get through this interview and we’ll talk about it.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Oscar couldn’t seem to stop repeating his apology. “I need to talk to my sister. I . . . hate myself right now.”

  That was what they called hitting bottom. She had to hope he’d made a breakthrough because she wouldn’t be so magnanimous if he pulled something like this again.

  The elevator doors opened and Royce stepped through, leading the two detectives on the case and another two uniformed officers. Her spine straightened out of pure instinct. This wasn’t about an interview. She watched as the uniformed officers took spots by the elevator and Detective Campbell stepped up, a pair of cuffs in his hands.

  Margarita moved in front of Isla. “Think before you do this, Osborne. You’ve got nothing on her. If you arrest her, I swear I’ll have you in front of a judge for malicious prosecution before you can sit down and enjoy your very temporary victory.”

  Royce’s lips curled up. “No, I don’t have anything on Isla. But I do have something on that little bastard.”

  Campbell moved in. “Oscar Adams, you’re under arrest for the murder of Portia Adams. You have the right to remain silent.”

  Oscar was pale as a sheet. “What?”

  That was her reaction, too. “You’re arresting Oscar?”

  She looked over and Margarita was already on the phone. She heard her say the name “Noah” and knew they would get here ASAP.

  “I am.” Royce stared at Oscar. “You cleaned off the blade, but forgot to wipe down the handle, dumbass. Next time be a smarter killer. Not that there’s going to be a next time.”

  “What are you talking about?” There was something wrong here. He was a pain in the ass, but Oscar couldn’t have killed his mother. He loved his mother.

  “We have his prints and his prints alone on the handle of the murder weapon, and his alibi doesn’t check out,” Royce explained as the detective Mirandized Oscar. “Given some of the things he’s recently said on social media, I’m not surprised it’s him.”

  “I didn’t mean any of it,” Oscar said, not paying attention to the words coming from the detective’s mouth. It wouldn’t matter. The detective was doing it all by the book. “Isla, I was high. I didn’t mean what I said.”

  “And the deeply deranged artwork?” Royce asked. “We went by your place before we came here. Your landlord was happy to help with our search warrant.”

  “You searched my place?” Oscar looked desperate. “Can they do that?”

  Her stomach was in knots. “I’ll take a look at the warrant. If anything’s out of place, I’ll have absolutely everything they find thrown out.”

  Royce glared at her. “He has a painting of himself killing his mother.”

  “No, it was a nightmare I had. It wasn’t Mom. Maybe it was, but it’s not literal. It’s art. It’s practically therapy. I dreamed she found out about the drugs,” Oscar said.

  “Drugs? Yeah, we found those, too,” the detective replied. “Son, I’m going to suggest you keep your mouth shut for a while. Don’t make this too easy on an old man.”

  “Oscar, don’t say another word unless it’s to ask for a lawyer,” Isla said. “Do you understand? You answer no questions without someone at your side.”

  “I’ll meet him down at the station.” Margarita was already putting her cell in her handbag and getting ready to go. “I’ll be there before they bring him in for processing. Oscar, my name is Margarita Reyes. I’m going to be there and so is my partner Noah Lawless. Do not say a word unless one of the two of us tells you it’s all right.”

  Oscar started to open his mouth and shut it very quickly, nodding.

  “Good. Detective, I’ll see you at the station. I promise I won’t make things easy on you, and you’re not an old man. Prime of life,” Margarita said with a wink.

  The detective sort of half smiled as she walked away. “I like her even better than Cormack.” He nodded to the uniforms. “Come on. Let’s take him to the station and get him processed. I wouldn’t want to keep the lady waiting.”

  David. What was David going to say when he realized he was going to have a saner and oddly less mature client?

  Oscar looked back at her as they took him to the elevator. All his arrogance was gone and he was nothing more than a terrified kid.

  Royce stood over her, his eyes staring down. “What happened to your cheek?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She wasn’t giving him more ammo. “Oscar didn’t kill his mother. I think this was an outside force. Have you ever heard the name Kristoff Paloma? He’s the man who broke into my apartment and he was looking for something. We handed over that information to the police days ago. I think whatever he was looking for is what got Portia killed.”

  Royce stepped back. “You’re reaching, Isla. Go out and look at your boy’s social media. He talks about how much easier his life would be if his parents were dead. He talked to a friend about how he was going to get cut off if his mother found out what he’d been doing. I suspect that’s coke and whatever the hell else rich, dumbass kids do rather than work these days. I thought you would be thrilled with me. Now you only have to deal with the firearms charge on Trey and he can happily be drugged up for the rest of his life. I hear you’re the executor of the estate. Bet Oscar didn’t know that.”

  That wasn’t the point. She’d just seen what happened when Oscar got violent. He’d been horrified with himself. Either he was an incredible actor or he’d never hurt anyone like that before. “You’re not listening to me. I don’t know how his prints got on the murder weapon, but he was over here that morning. He had breakfast with Portia. Obviously whoever killed her wore gloves.”

  “Or the easiest explanation is the best and it was Oscar who had means, motive, and opportunity,” Royce replied, his voice flat. “Now, tell me if your new boyfriend did that to you, because I can have him hauled in, too.”

  Her hand went to her cheek. She was sincerely hoping that had gone away. It didn’t hurt anymore. “Is it that bad? I put ice on it.”

  “Not Cormack, then. And I don’t suppose the lady lawyer thinks you’re a punching bag, so I’m going with our little shit murderer,” Royce said. “I’ll give it to you. When you represent a family you’re dog loyal even when on
e of the assholes hits you. Say what you like about me. I never would have done that.”

  “Royce, think this through before you ruin his life more than it is.” She reached out and touched his arm. “I remembered something. The killer was still here when I got here. Whoever it was didn’t flee after killing Portia. He was here and he was looking for something. Oscar had no reason to do that.”

  He looked down to where she held his arm and his hand went over hers. “Okay, you’re so sure. Let’s talk about it over dinner. Dump the meathead athlete and we can talk.”

  She pulled her hand away. “I wasn’t offering up my body.”

  “It might be a good way to get me to do what you want,” he said quietly. “God knows you don’t have logic or evidence on your side. Look, this works in your favor, babe. Have you thought about that? With Oscar gone, no one is going to contest the will and you’re in charge of this entire empire. I can make sure he never comes back. Hell, I think I can likely scare the shit out of the aunt enough that she’ll stay away. This is good for you. I’m going to make this work. I can do it with your help or without it. I still haven’t decided whether or not you knew something about this.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He stepped back as he heard the elevator doors open. Royce smoothed his expensive suit coat down. “I’m saying you have a choice. Make it a wise one. Why, hello, Cormack. Looks like your primary client gets to roam free and crazy. I’ll be in my office ready to talk about what life in prison is going to look like for that other Adams boy. I got this one locked down.”

  David was standing there. He hadn’t bothered with his coat. It was obvious he’d basically run from the office to here. It wasn’t more than a block and a half, but still he’d gotten here fast and he wasn’t out of breath. Erin had come up with him, but she stepped back as though allowing things to play out as they would.

  David’s eyes flared as he saw Isla.

  Royce’s hands came up. “Wasn’t me. Ask your client about that lovely handprint on your girl’s face. And then ask yourself how long you’re going to be able to keep her because she’s about to be the undisputed head of a five-hundred-million-dollar foundation. You should probably try to upgrade your suits. Too bad you can’t upgrade yourself, huh, buddy? I give you six months before she realizes you’re not what she needs.”

  David’s shoulders squared. “I give you ten seconds to get the hell out of my face.”

  Isla moved to him, getting between the men. All she’d wanted since she’d walked into this place was to have David’s arms around her, and Royce had ruined even that.

  David stopped and looked at her, really looked at her. And in the matter of a breath, she was in his arms. Those big strong arms held her tight and she was okay for now.

  “Yeah, you should probably leave,” Erin was saying as she held the door for Royce.

  He stepped inside the elevator and she saw him look her way.

  He wasn’t done with her. Not even close. He would come back for her and it wouldn’t be nice.

  “That guy is an ass,” Erin said. “I’m going to look into him. It’s cool. Totally gratis. Fucking with asses is kind of a hobby of mine since I’ve been told I can’t shoot people anymore. Apparently it’s not good for my kids or something. My husband is a very uptight person. It’s good he’s so hot. So it was the kid? Because that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

  David held her for a moment before stepping back and looking down into her eyes. “Did Oscar do that to you?”

  She sighed. “Yes, but that doesn’t mean he killed his mother. And, Erin, I think the cops are wrong. They think the killer left the penthouse shortly after Portia’s time of death. I believe he was here when I was here. He didn’t leave until then.”

  David turned to Erin. “Could you please take a look at Oscar’s alibi? We need something, anything that places him somewhere else. And perhaps look at any CCTV cameras within a few blocks. He doesn’t have a car if I remember correctly, so he had to walk, have someone pick him up, or take the subway. And no, I’m not convinced he did this either. Look for any connection between Oscar and Paloma. I know you’re heading home for the weekend.”

  Erin nodded. “I can put some feelers out and I’ll be back on Tuesday. You’d be surprised what I can do from Dallas. I’ll go look around and see what I can find CCTV-wise at that time. I’m going to make some notes and a few calls back home. I’ll be back at the penthouse if you need me.”

  “Why did he hit you?” David said when they were alone again.

  She wasn’t sure why they had to deal with this when they had way bigger problems. “He lost it and then he practically got on his knees to beg my forgiveness. He admitted he’s strung out and having problems with drugs. He’d asked me to help him find a rehab when Royce walked in.”

  “That had to have hurt.” David was still staring at her face. “I know you’re fair, but he had to have hit you hard to leave that kind of mark.”

  “And I explained what would happen if he ever touched me again. What was I supposed to do? Shoot him? Kick him in the balls? It would have been easier if he hadn’t broken down in front of me. I’ll see if I can cover it with makeup.” She didn’t want to spend the whole day explaining.

  “That is not the point, Isla.” David’s jaw tightened and he shoved his hands in his pockets as though he was trying to keep from reaching for her.

  “No, the point is I have a client who was hauled away by the police and now they’re going to ignore any evidence we find,” she returned. “They’ll rush this through as fast as they possibly can and Royce will use it to try to get himself elected to god only knows what. I don’t trust him not to bury any evidence that might help us.”

  “Have you thought for a second that perhaps Oscar did do it? He was upset about the will. He didn’t realize it had changed, had he?”

  “He didn’t do this, David. I know him.”

  He stepped away, turning from her. “Well, I’ll see what I can do to get Trey out of prison. Now that this isn’t hanging over our heads, perhaps I can get him moved to someplace nicer. But you have to understand that they won’t allow him out until they’re satisfied he’s not a danger to himself or others.”

  Why was he putting so much distance between them? “What’s wrong, David?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’m starting to wonder if you’re actually capable of seeing the bad in people. You seem to have these rose-colored glasses on about everything. I have to wonder if you’re capable of saving yourself.”

  Rose-colored glasses? “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I don’t know how much I can trust you.” The words came out of his mouth on a weary sigh. “Not to be loyal or kind. You’ll do that a hundred percent of the time, but you won’t save yourself, and I need to know you’ll do that if it’s necessary.”

  She wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “Of course I would save myself.”

  “You’re willing to give everything up for a family that isn’t even your own. What would you do for a man you truly loved?”

  That was easy. “Anything.”

  “And that’s my problem.” He walked to the elevator. “I’m going to the station. I assume you want me to represent the man who left his handprint on your face.”

  “I’m not a doormat, but I’m also not going to react to every little thing that happens, David. I act. It’s something I was taught to do. I don’t allow bad things and people to change the core of who I am. Would I defend myself in the event that someone attacked me? Yes, I would. Am I going to get into some kind of hand-to-hand fight with a kid who slapped me and then started crying? Is that what makes a person strong to you? Do you keep a ledger of everyone who hurts you so you make sure everything is even?” Maybe they weren’t as close as she’d thought.

  He didn’t take the bait, merely waited
for the elevator. “I’ll be back later and we can talk.”

  She stood silent because she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he would say.

  As he disappeared behind the elevators, she wondered how much she was going to have to give up to keep her promises.

  TWELVE

  Hours and hours later, David walked up to the building that housed the Lawless penthouse, his whole body weary. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had made a terrible mistake with Isla. The problem was he couldn’t figure out which mistake he’d made.

  Had the mistake been getting involved with her in the first place? Or pushing her the way he had this afternoon? All he knew was he was tired and he wanted to see her, and he might have given away the right to her comfort.

  Though god knew she gave it to people who didn’t deserve it.

  “Are you sure you’re okay? Noah and I can handle Oscar,” Margarita said, stepping beside him.

  “I think Isla wants David to take the lead on everything about this particular case,” Noah pointed out.

  “I don’t think that’s a great idea.” Margarita held her notes against her chest. “You can’t properly represent someone you hate.”

  “Oh, I assure you, I can.” The fact that Margarita could say that reminded him that she hadn’t been in the criminal game for long. “I’ve hated several of my clients and it worked out quite well.”

  Noah shook his head. “I agree with her. I know what you’re saying, but it’s not the same. This is personal, David. He hit your girlfriend.”

  God, that was a silly word. Girlfriend. It was something to describe a couple of teenagers, and he was so much older than that. Lover. Companion. Sanctuary. Those were far better words to describe her. In a few short days, she’d become all of those things, but he had to wonder if he was the same for her. He might be in control now, but all he could think about was how his mother had to endure his father’s spasms of abuse after the disease had taken over. How Portia had spent her last days loving her husband and having to be apart from him, too.