Page 40 of Alibi for Murder
Maybe she was a fool, but Allie turned back to hear what he had to say.
“We still haven’t figured out all the players, much less who the true bad guys are.”
She gave a dry laugh. “Maybe because you’re looking in the wrong place.”
Allie walked out. She had nothing else to say. But she couldn’t help wondering if the agents were the bad guys because they damned sure seemed intent on framing her.
The one thing she was certain of in all this was her innocence.
She just hoped Steve and the Colby Agency could help her prove it.
Chapter Ten
Wonder Lake
Rivero Residence
Lake Shore Drive, Noon
Steve knocked on the door after two attempts to rally the resident with the doorbell.
Rivero knew they were here, and they knew he was in there. He had the cameras, and his vintage SUV was parked near the door like before. It was backed up to the house as if the owner wanted to ensure a swift and unencumbered getaway.
“He’s not going to answer.” Allie’s shoulders sagged.
The meeting at the Colby Agency had buoyed her hopes, and then Potter and Fraser had sunk them with their ridiculous accusations.
“He will answer as long as he’s still breathing,” Steve argued. He fisted his hand and rapped again, hard enough to rattle the door on its hinges. “Because we’re not leaving—” he stared directly at the camera “—until he does.”
“If you keep pounding on my door,” Rivero said, his voice sounding scratchy over the speaker, “I’m calling the police.”
Steve pulled out his cell phone and stared up at the camera. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll call FBI agents Potter and Fraser and tell them you’re ready to talk about all the secrets you uncoveredat Ledwell. Particularly those about the child, Tommy, and his parents’ strange behavior after his alleged death.”
Thankfully, Allie concealed the surprise she might be feeling at his statement. His goal was not to make her think he knew something he hadn’t shared with her. His intent was to get the guy to come to the door. It was a strategy he hoped to hell would work. They badly needed a break—sooner rather than later.
The release of locks clicked in the silence that followed.
Steve resisted the urge to grin.Gotcha.
The door opened and Rivero stood there, a couple of feet back from the actual opening, as if he feared catching something or being yanked out of the house by the collar of his hoodie. For such a former hotshot, his look had gone to hell. Sweatpants and a hoodie. Unshaven and his gray peppered hair badly in need of combing.
He exhaled a big breath. “Come in. Let’s get this over with.”
Steve flashed Allie a knowing look. She walked in, and he followed.
Rivero locked the door behind them. Like Allie, he had multiple deadbolts.
Then he led them deeper into the house, to a large main living area that looked out over the lake through a wall of glass. Not a bad view.
The former star reporter gestured to the sofa and then took a seat in what appeared to be his preferred chair. The leather recliner showed the wear of its preference, whereas the matching sofa looked new.
“What do you want to know?” He looked from Steve to Allie. “I can’t promise I’ll answer every question you ask, but I’ll give you what I can.”
When Allie started to speak, Rivero held up both hands stop-sign fashion. “Be aware that I’m only doing this because Fraserand Potter are closing in on a court order that I may not be able to ignore. I’d love to get a step ahead of them.”
Good to know the two agents were rattling his cage as well.
“What do you know about the accident that killed my parents?” Allie started with the issue closest to her heart.
