Page 53 of Meant to Be
Jagger had also suggested he was ready to leave his womanizing ways behind and find a wife. Mitch didn’t quite believe that. Jagger was still young, just over thirty, like Mitch. It was strange he was willing to give up big city life, unless it had to do with Sydney.
The idea that Jagger might be the one stalking and trying to hurt Sydney didn’t make sense to Mitch. But he had expressed an interest in Sydney, and, like her, had packed up from New York and relocated. It was too much of a coincidence.
Mitch pulled through the gates of the Talbot Estate, driving along the tree-lined road. He remembered the exterior, including the driveway, had been used in a period-piece movie several years ago. He parked in front of the house and half-expected footmen to meet him. But no one came. In fact, it was Jagger, not the usual butler, who answered.
“Hey, Mitch.” Jagger looked beyond Mitch at the Charlotte Tavern assigned police vehicle. “Is this a professional call?”
Mitch nodded. “Yes.”
Jagger frowned but opened the door wider to let Mitch in. “Excuse the mess. I’m having work done, but apparently, none of the workers are coming today.” He sounded annoyed. “I have coffee. It’s been sitting a bit, but it’s still hot.”
“Sounds good.” Mitch followed Jagger through the expansive foyer toward the back into a kitchen larger than his house. “Is it just you here?”
“For now.” Jagger grabbed two mugs from the cupboard. “I have staff coming in a week or so.”
Staff. The idea of it boggled Mitch’s mind. That world was so different. It was Sydney’s world. It had been Drake’s world, although he seemed to have adjusted to just having a housekeeper while in Charlotte Tavern.
Jagger handed Mitch coffee. It tasted like it had been sitting but was still a better quality brew than he usually bought.
“Should we talk here?” Jagger motioned to a set of bar stools sitting at the corner of a large island.
“This is fine.” Mitch pulled out a stool and sat.
Jagger did the same, sitting kitty-corner to him.
Deciding to get right to it, Mitch avoided small talk. “Where were you yesterday between two and three in the afternoon?”
Jagger’s brows rose over the rim of the coffee he was sipping. “That sounds ominous.”
There was no missing Jagger’s disappointment in being considered capable of committing a crime. But Mitch was on the job. He couldn’t let personal feelings get in the way. And if he was honest with himself, while he’d known and liked Jagger when they were younger, he didn’t really know him as an adult, except what he heard about Jagger’s exploits from residents who liked to follow him in the tabloids.
Jagger let out a breath. “I was here, where I always am these days.”
“Anyone see you?”
“No.” The disappointment morphed into annoyance. “What happened?”
“What about in New York. On December fifth?”
Jagger’s expression asked,Seriously?“I’d have to check my calendar. That’s around my grandfather’s death, so I was probably meeting with lawyers. Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“There was an attack at the hospital yesterday.”
Jagger sniffed. “And because I’m an outsider you think I did it?”
Mitch shook his head.
“I read about it in the paper this morning. I don’t even know that woman. And byknow, I mean not even as an acquaintance.”
“I know. I don’t believe she was the target. Sydney was.”
Jagger stopped his mug mid-raise. “What?”
“I believe the perpetrator was after Sydney.”
“Why?”
“Did you ever ask Sydney out?”
