“Is there anyone who can verify Mr. Glover’s visit to your aunt?”
Carly took a deep breath. “My aunt. You might know of her. Judge Fredda Wiley. She sits on the juvenile court bench.”
Durvan’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “I do know her.”
“Then you know she’s going to have something to say about me being late for church.” Carly stood up. “I’m sorry but I really must go.”
Durvan stood up but didn’t move toward the door. “I appreciate the time you’ve given me, Ms. Reese. You’re lucky your insurance will cover all the damage your premises sustained.” He glanced around her apartment. “Of course, as successful as you’ve been, money shouldn’t be an issue for you.”
Carly held on to her smile until she thought her lips would crack. “No, I don’t need to set any place on fire for the insurance.”
He didn’t smile, but a grudging respect entered his gaze. “Thank you for your time.”
He moved toward the door, but Carly anticipated the sudden “Colombo” hesitation and turn even before he executed the move.
“Just one more thing. I understand your husband died a few years ago under mysterious circumstances.” His cool gray gaze held hers. “There were rumors of suicide.”
Carly felt as if he’d kicked her in the stomach. He’d delved deep into her past. Deeper, perhaps, than Noah had. But she’d had years of practice dealing with haters. Nothing showed in her expression as she stared back at him.
“There was no mystery to it. Arnaud was a brilliant fashion photographer but also a drug addict. He’d been clean for nearly two years. He backslid, and it killed him. No fires were involved. Not that it’s any of your business.”
Durvan nodded but didn’t back down. “I had to ask. It’s possible someone helped Mr. Glover execute his hoped-for demise.”
Just in time, Carly bit off the words of defense on Noah’s behalf. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“If you should remember anything else, anything at all about the fire or Mr. Glover, I’d appreciate a call.”
“Or, I could call the media.” That got his attention.
“Have you been approached by the media?”
“No. I prefer to keep my private life private.” But the implied threat had been made. Carly Harrington-Reese could be pushed only so far before she pushed back.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it that way, Ms. Reese. My job is the find out the truth. Once the media gets wind of an event like this, none of us will be able to control it. Sensational headlines could hurt everyone involved, especially the innocent.”
Like Noah. Carly’s heart jumped. This man couldn’t possible know anything about her and Noah. But he suspected a connection.
For the first time, Durvan’s mustache twitched up into what might have been a smile. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Reese. I must caution you to avoid Mr. Glover should he try to reach out to you. You may be called to give testimony if the case goes to court.”
“You really think he started that fire?”
Durvan didn’t answer.
Once she shut the door, Carly leaned against it, waiting for her heartbeat to slow.
“Underhanded! Vicious! Creep!” She murmured each word so that Durvan wouldn’t hear if he was standing just outside. But talking to herself always helped clarify her thoughts. “He thinks I’m part of the crime of arson.”
The second the words were out of her mouth she knew they were true. Inspector Durvan didn’t believe Noah. He didn’t entirely believe her either. If this was an indication of how the line of inquiry into the arson case was progressing, no wonder Noah had bolted the night before.
A chill worked its way down Carly’s spine as she walked over to pick up her purse and keys. Best not to get involved any further. That had been Jarius’s advice. She wished now she’d taken it from the first. Although …
It had not occurred to her that the authorities might entertain the idea that she was part of Noah’s suicide—No … arson? Uh … murder attempt? What exactly did the arson investigator think? He’d scattered a lot of innuendo but few facts.
She’d told Noah from the first that she didn’t want to be involved in whatever mess he was in. She had been right to worry about his presence complicating her life.
“That’s why you’re going to mind your own business from this second forward, Carly.”
As soon as she made one call.
She opened her purse and pulled out her cell phone, ready to dial the number Noah had left with her the night before. Right up to the second she began considering the possible repercussions of that call.