Page 200 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs
She let out a long breath, gathering her thoughts. How stupid of her to fret about Maddox’s girlfriend when she should be trying to unravel the mystery before them. Her life could be at stake, and she was thinking about Maddox!Stupid, stupid, woman!
“Maybe you should start by telling me how you met Jordan.”
“Gram and Jordan’s mother were at the same care center, both had Alzheimer’s. Jordan and I struck up a friendship.” She paused, the awkwardness of the conversation hitting her. Discussing her romantic relationship with Jordan wasn’t something she wanted to do with Maddox. “The two of us dated for a while.” Maddox’s features tightened.Interesting.
“Why did you break up?”
She cleared her throat, shifting in her seat. “We broke up because …” heat flamed her cheeks “…well, things just didn’t work out.” She picked at her fingernails.
Frustration tinged his handsome features. “If I’m going to help, you need to be open with me.” He probed her with fierce eyes. “Why did you break up?”
She squared her chin. “Are you sure this is about Jordan?”
He didn’t back down an inch. “What else would it be about?”
His expression was unreadable. “You,” she blurted. “I broke up with him because I met you.”
Maddox blinked in surprise. She couldn’t be sure, but thought he looked pleased. Then the expression vanished, and he was the consummate professional once more. “Continue.”
“Jordan and I remained close friends. I introduced him to Piper.”
“I remember you mentioning her.”
She nodded. “Piper and I met at a support group for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Piper’s mother had Alzheimer’s. Her father Hamilton is a world-renown surgeon, turned researcher. I knew Piper and Jordan would have lots in common. Sure enough, they hit it off and got married. Later, they formed their drug research company.”
“Where Jordan developed PZT.”
“Yes.”
“Does Piper live nearby?”
“She and her dad have a family estate in Liberty Falls, the next town over, about twenty-five miles from here. Their research facility is in New Jersey. They go back and forth between New Jersey and Liberty Falls.”
“Corbin said Jordan and Piper were having marital problems.”
It was crazy how fast irritation spiked through her. “Corbin’s wrong,” she shot back. “Jordan and Piper were going on a cruise together. In fact, he stopped by to ask if he could pick up some jewelry I had in my possession. He wanted to give the pieces to Piper.”
Maddox leaned forward. “What kind of jewelry?”
“Earrings and a bracelet. They belonged to Jordan’s mom. He gave the pieces to me when we were dating.”
Maddox lifted an eyebrow. “And you kept them even after Jordan and Piper got married?”
Heat crawled up her neck. “Yes, I tried to give them back, but Jordan wanted me to have them. I was close to his mother.”
“I see.”
“See what?” she fired back.
“Jordan still had feelings for you.”
Her throat tightened. “That’s ridiculous!” she squeaked. “He loved Piper. I was just a friend.”
“Do you still have the jewelry?”
“Yes, it’s in my room. None of it was taken during the break-in.”
He rubbed his chin, a look of intense concentration settling over his features. “Tell me everything Jordan said to you.”
