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“No, I know you didn’t, but there was a girl on the ferry who recognized me and she was clearly ‘team Niko.’ Maybe she spread the word on some fan-page or something.”
“I don’t know, but can I please look you over now?”
“I’m fine,” she said dismissively.
“So you say, but I just want to be sure.”
Chloe made an annoyed huff of air but leaned back down on the couch, resting her head on the armrest. “Okay, medicine man, work your magic. My wrist hurts the most.”
I took a minute to look her over, feeling for bumps on her skull or any major cuts from the stones. Mostly she was just sore, and the few cuts were minor and seemed like scratch marks from nails.
“I want to heal you, but I fear you’re going to fall asleep again and then Officer Beckett will come knocking on the door. We should wait until she’s gone.”
“I’m not going to stay here.” Chloe informed me. “I’ll go to a hotel or fly back to LA.”
“But you shouldn’t be alone. I’ll stay with you.”
“I’ll call my security team to come.”
“That’s not what I meant, Chloe.” I let my hand run over hers. “Let me work with you like Ona asked me to.”
She was quiet.
“I know I said some stupid things and that it got awkward between us back in the cabin but it wasn’t your fault, it was mine.”
“I know,” she said and I couldn’t decide if she was sarcastic or serious.
“Still, you can’t just go back to your old life. Take some time to get to know yourself. It’s a good investment.”
She tilted her head and gave me a pointed stare. “Plus if I said yes to you staying, Onava wouldn’t be upset with you, would she?” The way she lifted her brows signaled that she knew what my motivation to stay was.
“Okay, I admit it. I don’t want to be the reason that the wild life foundation misses out on a ten-million-dollar donation. But that’s not the only reason I want to stay.”
“Really?” she said skeptically.
“No, I actually think…” The door phone interrupted me.
“That would be Officer Beckett,” Chloe said.
“Stay,” I ordered and went to let the police in.
I stayed quietly in the background when Chloe spoke to Beckett and a second police officer who’d come with her.
Chloe’s British accent was back, and it hit me that she had only picked it up just now after she had dropped it when she pretended to be Faith in front of Nigel.
It was fascinating how she took on a completely different persona when she became Cleo.
“We made five arrests and have collected witness statements for what happened tonight.” Officer Beckett said. “Several of the bystanders filmed what took place and although we don’t have the beginning of it on video, we have statements from two witnesses who saw the whole thing,” she explained.
“Good thing so many people were around,” Chloe pointed out.
“Yes. It’s not the best place to commit an assault and think you can get away with it.”
“Did you find a motive?” I asked.
“We’re still collecting the pieces, but here’s my card.” She pulled out a card and handed it to Chloe. “I suggest you call me tomorrow when we might have more answers for you.”
“Thank you.”
