| |
SOPHIE STOOD WITH her back to Wood and Matthews, staring out at the sunshine basking the moors. Her temper was hard to contain but she breathed through it, slow and steady. She had to appear civil until Morgan showed up and she would.
The heat shimmered from the hills and mounds. The moors had terrified her as a child, she’d had so many nightmares featuring that moment when air ran out and her energy waned as a stretch of sucking mud pulled her under. It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself in a similar position and it had only been one of many.
Before she was enraptured by The Recluse, her temper had been far worse, easily tripped and venomous, but The Recluse had taught her control and ways to slam the temper down when it spilled out.
These women were testing that control.
“Lady Haye, the investigations into the recent attack on us has led to car which belonged to a man who worked in your conference centre,” Matthews said like she wanted to arrest Sophie for it then and there. “Yet you are saying that you didn’t know him?”
“That is what I am saying.” Morgan had versed her, in that sweet, passionate manner which questions she should answer. It would make her look cooperative without actually answering anything.
“But you do all the hiring and firing?” Wood hissed it at her. Considering it was Matthews who had the motive to be jealous when talking to her, Wood acted far more like a jilted lover.
“Yes.”
“So then you must know him.” Matthews slapped something. It had better not be the desk.
“Ladies,” Morgan said as she strolled in. Perfect timing, as usual. “Lady Haye is very busy as I said. She has given you enough of her time, if you please?”
Sophie turned enough to keep an eye on Morgan as she held open the door.
Wood sprang to her feet and stopped long enough to glare at Sophie’s back. “I think it’s time we organised another interview at the station.”
“On what grounds?” Morgan had switched to barrister-mode again.
“We investigate murders on this estate and we are attacked by a man who Sophie Haye hired herself yet conveniently doesn’t remember.” Wood fired it at her. “And as you keep quoting the law at me, Morgan, hopefully you’ll be able to advise her on what section hiring someone in this circumstance means.”
Morgan folded her arms and her prosthesis whirred. Her blonde hair fell into her face as her eyes hardened. “Lady Haye is the head of an estate which employs hundreds of people let alone the Haye industries. She is not responsible for someone who commits a crime outside work.”
Wood sucked in her chin. “It is if she hired him to attack us.”
Morgan sighed. “I can imagine Derek’s face when you try running that one by him.” She shook her head. “Are you arresting Lady Haye?”
“We will at the station. Out of respect for you, we’ll let her come of her own accord.” Wood smiled like she wanted to impale Morgan on her words.
“Then, as her barrister, I will make sure that the commissioner is aware how you are using police time to solve a personal gripe.” Morgan’s tone was utterly professional and distant. Yes, Sophie liked her detective side but she adored this witty, sharp lawyer side more. Made that hunger stir.
Wood opened and closed her mouth.
“So, do you still want to flatten your career?” Morgan smiled like she enjoyed winning the battle. Yes, and she won it with aplomb.
Wood growled and stormed out.
Matthews glanced back at Sophie. “I will wait in the courtyard.” She strode out after Wood.
Morgan eased herself backward out of the door. “Ma’am,” she said with a brilliant smile. “I have some lists for you to look over if you have a few minutes this afternoon?”
Sophie laughed. She strode over, pulled Morgan inside, shut the door, and pressed her to it. “Not so fast.”
Morgan’s lips parted but she didn’t move to push her away. “Yes, ma’am?”
“I like it when you win.” She leaned in, hovered close to Morgan’s lips, teasing her. “I like it better when you win to impress me.”
Morgan’s eyes deepened. Yes, the show was for her, not the lover or the former student but for her. “You have every right to complain about them.”
“Do I?” She brushed Morgan’s blonde hair from her face, taunting her, luring her to give in. Then, she could ease the ache and follow her raw instinct. It wouldn’t be wrong if Morgan instigated it. Would it?
“Yes. I don’t know why they are so narrow in their focus.” Morgan’s gaze dropped to her lips.
“Maybe because they feel I’m guilty.” Sophie licked her lips, enjoying the intake of breath from Morgan.
“But you’re not.” She said it so sweetly, it was impossible to ignore.
Sophie sighed and turned from her. “She is waiting for you.”
Morgan took her hand. “You’re not guilty, are you?”
She squeezed Morgan’s hand, stole the list jutting out of Morgan’s pocket, and went back to the window. “I will look over these and give you my decision.”
Morgan sighed. “Yes, that’s right, shut me out and let them come at you.”
“Do I detect disapproval?” Sophie hardened her voice.
“No, confusion.” Morgan walked around to stand in front of her. “I just acted on your behalf. I can’t break that confidence whatever you tell me.”
Sophie studied her. “You would not even if you were never a lawyer.” She stroked her finger down Morgan’s cheek and tapped her on the lips. “Your loyalty has never been in question.”
“Then if you trust me, I can do something useful and help you.” Morgan kissed her fingertip. Tingles rippled through her from even such a simple caress. “I really want to help you.”
“And if I am guilty as they suspect?” She slid her hand to Morgan’s throat and stroked over her windpipe. “Will you still wish to be helpful?”
“Probably,” Morgan mumbled and sighed, exposing her neck.
Sophie smiled and dropped her hand away. “Then I fear I’ve invaded your sense.” She motioned to the door. “Listen to your lover’s plea, Morgan. Don’t let me cloud your heart.”
Morgan grunted in response, then growled and threw her hands in the air. She turned and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Sophie touched her fingertips to her lips and closed her eyes. She liked it when Morgan growled. She liked it a lot.