He’d been studying her with a trained, assessing gaze from the moment she’d appeared at his door. The woman spoke clearly, her body language showing none of the telltale signs of deception.
She had an answer for everything and was ready and willing to strike back at anything he threw her way. In fact, Archer hadn’t noticed her taking so much as a fraction of a second to mull a single one of his questions over.
Doesn’t mean she’s innocent.
No. No, it did not.
Not having to think before she answered, however, was a good sign she was being truthful. Of course, it could also simply mean she’d come to E.N.S. well-rehearsed.
An attorney carrying the Montgomery name would absolutely be prepared. Especially when she’s the defendant this time.
A point that conjured up yet another burning question…
“What about your lawyer? Does she approve of you speaking to us about the case?”
“Who do you think sent me to you?”
“Your attorney suggested you hire a private security firm to investigate the case against you?”
“And protect me.” Cassie nodded. “Ellie’s smart, and the only lawyer in the city I trust. If she thinks I need your help investigating Russ’s death, it’s because she doesn’t trust the cops in this city any more than I do.”
“That’s a pretty harsh statement to make, considering you’re part of the law enforcement system yourself. Also not exactly the best attitude to have when you’re trying to get the police on your side.”
“Dirty cops are everywhere, Mr. Nash. Surely you aren’t naive enough to believe otherwise. Just like there are dirty lawyers, or”—one of her perfectly shaped brows rose high— “dirty Navy SEALs. But make no mistake. I have ahugerespect for law enforcement officers, as does Ellie.”
“Yet you’re here because you don’t trust the local P.D. to give you a fair shake.”
“Like I said, Russ’s parents have a lot of pull in this town. Trust me, there was no love lost between us before this. But now…” A light shake of her head. “Alastair and Barbara have spewed hateful lies about me ever since I filed for divorce, and Russ moved out. They’ve dragged my name through the mud so many times I’ve lost count. Alastair, especially.” A frown created a tiny group of wrinkles between those perfect brows. “That man has done everything in his power to get me blackballed within my professional community.”
“Because he didn’t want you married to his son?”
“Because I didn’t want tostaymarried to his son. A divorce would sully the Montgomery name, you see. Never mind the fact that I caught Russ in bed with another woman. Twice, by the way. A different woman each time.”
Damn. Archer had been cheated on once. He still remembered how much the betrayal had hurt. And that was way back in high school. To walk in on the one person who’d vowed to love, honor, and cherish you until death do you part in bed with someone else…
That had to have been a crushing blow.
Crushing enough to commit murder?
“I’m confused,” he admitted. “Your in-laws didn’t like you, but they didn’t want you and Russ to split up?”
“Like I said…they were trying to protect the Montgomery name. And now that it’s being talked about on every news channel from here to the coast, Russ’s parents are going to doeverything they can to separate themselves and their family from me. I’m not exaggerating when I say they will cash in every single favor owed to them if it means seeing me go to prison for life.”
Something to keep in mind, but Archer decided to put a pin in that for now.
“Just so we’re clear, you’re wanting E.N.S. to find the person who killed your husband while also providing you with personal protection. Is that correct?”
“Yes. That’s…yes.” Cassie sighed. For the first time since entering his office, she seemed to let go of what he assumed was her stoic attorney demeanor and leaned forward, resting her forearms on the edge of his desk. “Please, Mr. Nash. I-I don’t know who would want me dead, but clearly someone does. And now, I’m either going to be put on trial for a murder I didn’t commit, or whoever put those crushed up seeds in my wine is going to try to kill me again. Call me selfish, but I’m not exactly keen on either of those options.”
The touch of sarcasm in that last part tugged at the corners of his lips. Even when she was being openly vulnerable, the woman still had the power to make him want to smile.
Careful. She could be playing you.
Archer trailed over her despairing gaze and adorably stubborn chin. Her voice hadn’t wavered any of the times she’d spoken to her innocence. Like before, she hadn’t averted her gaze, nor had her pupils dilated.
From the beginning of their brief but informative conversation, Cassie had held a strong, committed presence in his office. But it was the look in her eyes now that reached him somewhere deep inside…
Serious. Disheartened.Begginghim to help her in her search for the truth.