Page 203 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“We have a production on,” Dante exclaimed, starting to pace then pausing when DCI Sturridge gave him the evil eye. “We’re putting on performances each night this week. You can’t do this-”

“We’ll be needing to speak to you too, Mr Palmer,” DCI Ramsbottom added.

“What?” Dante looked pale, and I meant pale for a ‘chock-full of beautiful melanin’ person. His dark skin tone literally went ashy with trepidation before my eyes. “But – why – I-”

We exchanged glances. We were both shitting it now.

“Oh,” Dante let out his ‘oh’ in a huff. False bluster, maybe?

Collins sighed loudly then said, “I’ll be representing them both. There is no conflict of interest as the warrant is in line with funds being passed through the company. They are both named as company directors and I’ll be representing the company as a whole. Right, Ms DuMont?”

“Right.” I agreed quietly.

“Now once your people have collected whatever unnecessary evidence you think is pertinent to this case,” Collins drawled. “My clients and I will meet you at the station of your choosing to give their statementstoday.”

Dante and I looked at each other once more. One way or another, it seemed Collins was going to sort this out today. What had Geoffrey done? What had he involved me and my company in? Shit. I couldn’t do jail time! Aunt Cleo was going to murder me for shaming our family. Ohfuck.If I got sent down, would I have to give birth in prison? The Courts wouldn’t send a pregnant lady to prison, would they? What the hell was I thinking about that for? I had done nothing wrong.

“We’re innocent.” I shouted in desperation, startling almost everyone in my office.

“Yes, you are,” Collins nodded and patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry about a thing. Now don’t speak unless I advise you to and let me handle this.”

I stayed quiet. Dante stayed quiet. We were both probably wondering about extradition laws and whether we could hop a plane back home before the end of today.

“Can I talk to you?”

“Always, son.” William Jr glanced askance at Matt, swishing the whiskey around in his tumbler as they stood side by side.

“You are staying for dinner, right darling? I’ve just told the staff to set another place for you.” Portia Bradley bustled back into the informal drawing room, beaming widely in delight over Matt’s unexpected visit.

“Mum, I’m not stopping,” Matt added a smile to his words to lessen the blow. “I just need to have a word with Dad.”

“Nonsense,” she huffed. “Of course you’re staying for dinner. You drove all the way here and I’m not letting you leave without making sure you eat. Plus it will be nice to have a catch up. You’re always too busy for me of late.”

“Mum,” Matt sighed. “It’s a flying visit. I’m not staying for dinner.”

Portia shrugged, a smug gleam to her eyes as she said with motherly coyness, “I’ve already told Grumps you’re staying. He’ll be down shortly.”

William snorted in amusement at Matt’s grunt of defeat. “Have you forgotten how devious your mother can be?”

“I’m not devious,” Portia chastised before waltzing over to offer her cheek for the obligatory kiss. “Your sister and the girls are on their way also. They should be here in half an hour.”

“For crying out loud,” Matt didn’t bother keeping his annoyance in check.

Portia tapped her cheek with a well-manicured finger. “Hush.Theycome to dinner at least once a week regardless of what they have going on and it has nothing to do with your arrival today.”

Matt narrowed his eyes at her before pressing a dutiful kiss to her cheek.

“Much better,” Portia stepped back and quickly appraised him. “You look terrible, Matthew. Are you taking care of yourself?” She turned to her husband. “He looks terrible, doesn’t he?”

Matt closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath.

“Leave our boy alone,” William Jr warned jokingly. “He’s fine.”

“He will be,” Portia frowned. “Did Adam tell you we willallbe spending Christmas and the New Year on the Cotswolds estate? I hope you’ve made the necessary arrangements. A few days out there and you’ll be back to your old self.”

Matt opened his eyes. “No, he didn’t. I thought we were doing Christmas here, as usual.”

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