White Collared Part Three: Revenge Read Free Page B

him the truth, she’d be giving him a possible motive. He’d pin the crime on her. “Nothing. It was so meaningless I don’t even remember.”
    He paused, scrutinizing her. “Is there any reason someone would try to kill her?”
    “No.” And that was the truth. Other than Kate, who had reason to hurt her?
    “What about you?” he asked, as if he’d plucked it from her thoughts.
    “Excuse me? I didn’t do it.” Her voice cracked, and Jaxon patted her back a few times, reassuring her.
    It wasn’t enough. She wanted him to hold her and tell her it would all work out, but he couldn’t. Not now. In front of Nick and the police, they were simply attorney and client.
    “That’s not what I meant,” Officer Price said. “She was in your apartment. Is it possible she was in the wrong place at the wrong time?”
    Nick placed his hand on her shoulder. “Ms. Martin, don’t answer that question. It’s speculation. How would she know?”
    Officer Price ignored him. “Do you have any enemies? Anyone want you dead?”
    Bile choked her throat, and the room tilted. If she’d been standing, she would’ve fallen to the floor. Had the knife been meant for her?
    “No,” she whispered, shaking her head.
    The officer flipped his notepad closed and stuck it in his pocket. “I think we should go to headquarters and continue this conversation.”
    Even as the pills’ effects kicked in and slowed her heart rate, panic slammed into her, turning her blood to ice.
    “Is she under arrest?” Nick asked.
    The cop frowned. “No, but—”
    “Then she declines your request.” Nick gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, reminding her that this time she had an attorney on her side. “Process the scene and get out of here. Ms. Martin has had an extreme shock. She needs rest, and then I’m sure she’ll want to visit her friend in the hospital.”
    Officer Price waved over one of the other cops. “I’m going to have Officer Hannon take some pictures, and Officer George will take a couple samples from you. Then we’re going to need your clothes and shoes. You can change in your room.”
    She got up from the table, surprised that her trembling legs supported her weight. Jaxon inched a bit closer, as if afraid she’d fall, while Nick watched with a professional eye.
    The cop had her hold out her hands. She flinched as the camera clicked several times. He thanked her, moved out into the hallway, and photographed the front door.
    Officer Hannon used a Q-tip to swab some blood from her hands, clipped a fingernail, and then took her fingerprints. He handed her a small, white plastic container with a hazardous materials sticker. “Please remove your clothes and shoes and place them in here.”
    At Nick’s nod, she hurried off, eager to change her clothes. But first she took a detour to the bathroom and washed the blood off her hands, knowing the longer she waited, the more difficult it would be to clean. Scrubbing with soap and hot water, she was able to at least erase the visible presence of Hannah’s blood. As she entered her bedroom, she popped another pill and kicked off her shoes. After removing and folding all her clothes, she put them all in the evidence collection container and sat on her bed to catch her breath.
    She dropped her head in her hands and rubbed her pounding forehead. What would the police say when they realized she and Hannah were wearing the same clothes? In her mind she heard Hannah’s voice calling her “sister.” Kate knew they looked alike, but she never imagined anyone could mistake one for the other. Was it really possible the knife was meant for her? Why would anyone want her dead?
    Going for both comfort and a professional appearance in case she ended up at the police station, she threw on black pants and an oversized blouse and then slipped on another pair of heels. She returned to the main room and handed Officer Hannon the container. He and Officer George waved to Officer Price, who was speaking