Victoria’s lips quirked as she unlocked her sleek SUV with a quick press of the key fob, the headlights flashing in acknowledgment. She slid into the driver’s seat with practiced ease, adjusting the mirrors before glancing toward Isabel, who was taking her time buckling in.
Victoria’s quirked lips bloomed into a full smile as she started the engine. “Next time, try leaving for work before your alarm clock gives you a heart attack and maybe you’ll have time to fix that car and still get here on time.”
Isabel turned to face her fully, expression incredulous. “Did you just make a joke CaptainLangley?”She drew out the name longer than necessary and continued, “Ajoke?”
Victoria put the car into reverse and backed out smoothly, her eyes fixed on the road. “Don’t get used to it.”
The corner of Isabel’s mouth lifted. “Too late.”
The tension in the car shifted, settling into something quieter. Heavier. For a moment, the only sound was the soft click of the turn signal and the hum of the engine as Victoria navigated toward the main road.
Isabel exhaled, rolling her shoulders, pushing past the lingering amusement. “All right. Here’s who I want to talk to first.”
Victoria’s gaze flicked to her briefly before returning to the road. “Go on.”
Returning to business talk, Isabel’s voice took on a more serious tone as she explained. “I have two potential suspects on the gala staff.”
Victoria’s eyes widened, but she remained silent. Isabel leaned back, stretching her legs slightly. “First, Kara Delaney. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, let me enlighten you.”
Pulling the files out of the bag she brought with her, Isabel held up Kara’s. “Her emergency contact? Her cousin - Veronica Delaney.”
Victoria sucked in a breath. “Veronica? As in Lily Harper’s ex-girlfriend?”
Isabel nodded, dropping the file in her lap. “Yep. More like crazy stalker ex-girlfriend.”
Victoria nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied with the logic. Isabel grabbed the next file, waving it in the air like a trophy. Victoria eyed it briefly before turning her gaze back to the road ahead.
“And after Kara Delaney?”
Isabel opened the folder, beginning to pull out some papers as she replied, “Keene.”
Victoria’s gaze flicked to her, but no emotions crossed her race as she simply asked, “The caterer?”
“Thebrokecaterer,” Isabel corrected. “The one drowning in debt who just happened to work the biggest event in the city and somehowdidn’t noticeanything.”
She let that sit for a beat. “I don’t buy it.”
Victoria sighed, fingers drumming against the steering wheel. “Desperate people don’t always think ahead.”
“Exactly,” Isabel said, watching her. “And desperate people breakreallyeasy under pressure.”
Victoria shot her a look, something unreadable passing through those ice-blue eyes. “That’s your plan? Lean on him until he cracks?”
Isabel smirked. “It’s notnotmy plan.”
Victoria exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “Fine,” she muttered. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Torres.”
Isabel relaxed into her seat, her smirk widening just a fraction.
She was looking forward to this.
The Phoenix Ridge Grand Hotel’s employee lounge was a sterile, windowless space tucked behind the main ballroom, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of the event space beyond its doors. A vending machine hummed in the corner, and a half-empty pot of burnt coffee sat on a side table next to a stack of wrinkled employee handbooks.
Victoria and Isabel sat across from Kara Delaney, the young server who’d drawn Isabel’s suspicion earlier. Kara shifted uncomfortably in her seat, fingers twisting in her lap, her dark eyes darting between the two detectives.
“So,” Victoria said, her voice crisp, “why didn’t you mention the argument when officers first interviewed you?”
Kara swallowed, glancing down at her hands. “I—I didn’t think it mattered,” she admitted. “It wasn’t about Chloe. It was—” She hesitated.
