“And maybe Mrs. Harrington went back to the vic’s apartment after that. It took her a long time to get home.”
“And maybe a dozen other people entered that apartment while my client took a walk to clear her thoughts,” Mitchell suggested with a shrug. “Put those handcuffs on her, and I will have her out of them within the hour. I’ll also slap a lawsuiton this department the likes of which this city has never seen before.”
The other detective entered the room, pressing his hand against his partner’s chest. “Joe, come on, let it go.”
Joe tossed his hands into the air, his frustration clear from the tension in his jaw.
The detective bit his lower lip, storming toward the door.
“Can I assume my client is free to go?”
“She is,” the calmer detective answered, “for now. Don’t leave town, Mrs. Harrington.”
“I won’t,” she promised softly.
Mitchell let his shoulders slump as the second detective left the room. “That was close, Julia.”
“Who is the other suspect?” she questioned.
“Mr. Worthington,” he answered. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to defend my third suspect of the night.”
“I’m so sorry, Mitchell.” She squeezed his arm.
He gave her a brief smile before he led her from the room. She pushed into the waiting room as he disappeared into another interrogation room.
She scanned the space, finding Grant perched on the edge of a chair across the room. He leapt to his feet as he spotted her. She hurried toward him as he raced to her. They flung their arms around each other, holding each other tight.
“Thank goodness you’re okay, Julia.”
He pulled back from her, cupping her face in his hands. “Please don’t ever do that again.”
“I’m sorry. I just had to buy us some time.”
“I know. I talked to Alex. I don’t like it, but I know why you did it. Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” she said as she slipped her hand into his. “I would never hesitate to protect her.”
He nodded, his gaze falling to the floor, a tightness still in his jaw. “We should get you home.”
She shook her head. “I’m okay. I’m sure you want to stay for Worthington?”
He glanced at her, his features pinching as he rubbed her arm. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Worthington is like one of the family.”
He wrapped his arm around her and led her to a chair. She eased into the seat and laid her head against his shoulder.
“At least this time, you can blame Worthington for the chairs,” he whispered after he kissed the top of her head.
She giggled as she craned her neck to glance up at him. “They’re awful, aren’t they?”
“They are. Thanks to you, I know now this.”
She groaned with a wince. “I’m sorry. Believe me, I didn’t want to do it this way, but I had no other choice.”
“Let’s just promise not to do anything like this ever again, okay?”
“Okay,” she said with a smile.
