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  Not that he had anything to hide, of course, and he was certain she was innocent. They’d execute the warrant, go through the motions, clear Chanel of any wrongdoing and go back to the drawing board. In the meantime, he and Chanel would be free to explore wherever their feelings took them.

  He thought of Angela and how he’d held her hand in the final moments before she’d passed away. The machines that had kept her alive for three long years were switched off and wheeled away. Her family and his grandmother had come in and said their good-byes.

  In the end, it had been just the two of them in the silent room. He didn’t know how long it would take, but it seemed no time at all before the nurses came in and told him she’d gone. Her passing had been quiet and peaceful—and for that, he was grateful. He’d done the right thing. His wife had finally been laid to rest and though he hadn’t given it any thought until that moment, he realized he’d also come to terms with the past. For the first time in a long time, he felt hope in his heart when he thought of the future.

  “You ready?”

  Jett posed the question and Bryce nodded in response. “How about the others?” he asked.

  “Yep, all ready and accounted for. We’ll go in whenever you give the go ahead.”

  Half a dozen officers waited on the curb behind him. With little danger of finding an armed suspect, they’d left their combat gear at the station, but the sheer number of them attracted attention.

  Bryce couldn’t help but wince at the rumors that would circulate around the apartment block. Chanel would be forced to withstand the whispers and pointed looks that would surely come her way. He wished he could do something about that, but it was out of his control.

  The anonymous tip had hinted that she was storing the ricin poison in her apartment. Bryce found it intriguing that an outsider knew what kind of poison had been used. They’d been careful to keep that detail away from the public eye. It was more than interesting to discover the tipster had also specifically referred to castor beans.

  Aware that his men were waiting, Bryce gave the order to move in. Jett knocked loudly on the door that led to Chanel’s apartment and then stood aside for Bryce. A moment later, the door was opened.

  She was dressed in a pretty sundress that ended just above her knees. It was white and patterned with hot-pink polka dots. Her hair was pulled back into a bouncy ponytail and her lips were newly glossed. She looked fresh and calm and composed. She looked beautiful.

  “Chanel Munro,” he said, “I have a warrant to search your apartment. I have a copy here for you. If you step aside and let us in, we’ll be out of your way as soon as possible.”

  Her eyes never strayed from his face. Her chin lifted and she stared him down, not even glancing at the warrant in his hand. Bryce couldn’t help the surge of admiration that rushed through his veins and settled warmly in the vicinity of his heart.

  A moment later, she stepped back and allowed him and his men to enter. Taking refuge on the couch, she quickly became engrossed in her phone. Bryce had to give her points for holding it together. She looked like she couldn’t care less that she was the suspect in several murders and that her apartment was being tossed. It only strengthened his sure knowledge that she was innocent.

  “I’ve found something!”

  Jett’s triumphant yelp came from the direction of the kitchen. Bryce frowned and hurried to find him. Jett held a small brown bottle in his gloved hand.

  “Give it here,” Bryce demanded. Jett handed it over. Bryce looked at the nondescript medicine bottle and turned it over in his hands. With his gloved hands making it more difficult than it needed to be, he carefully unscrewed the lid.

  It was filled with a fine pale powder. Bryce’s heart went into overdrive and he reeled back in shock. What the fuck? Careful not to inhale it or come into contact with it in any way, he screwed the lid back on and deposited it into a plastic evidence bag.

  “Where did you find it?” he demanded.

  “On a shelf in the kitchen,” Jett replied. “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure. We’ll need to get it tested, but first we’ll ask Doctor Munro. She should be able to tell us.”

  “She’s hardly going to tell us it’s ricin powder,” Jett said, shaking his head.

  Anger surged through Bryce and it was all he could do not to smash something. His mind spun with shock and confusion and overriding fear. He was sure he wasn’t wrong about Chanel, but what if his judgement had become skewed?

  He’d been attracted to her from the moment he’d seen her and for all his vagueness about whether or not he was going to investigate her complaint, he’d always intended to do so. And he had. And he’d believed Doctor Baker. Until he hadn’t. Then he’d believed Chanel.

  His thoughts spun faster and faster out of control until he didn’t know which way was up. He could see Jett frowning at him, but he couldn’t seem to stop his mind racing at breakneck speed.

  “It’s okay, Bryce. I’ll go and talk to her.” Jett muttered the words and disappeared. Bryce sucked in a savage breath.

  Scrubbing at his hair, he did his best to get his heart rate back under control. His anger slowly subsided and the noise receded in his head. He was the leader of the task force. This was his investigation. He needed to pull himself together and act like he was in charge. Had he been duped by a very clever criminal? He wouldn’t be the first cop to be taken in by a beautiful girl.

  The awful thought had entered his mind, but now sat heavily in his gut. Had he fallen for the oldest trick in the book? Had his cock blinded him to the truth? Was she so confident of her ability to hoodwink him that she’d left the evidence out for all to see?

  He ground his teeth until his jaw hurt and cursed his foolhardy dimwittedness. It was his fault. He’d fallen for her innocent act and the promise in her eyes. With steely determination, he got himself back under control. With a last look around the kitchen, he headed into the living room.

  Chanel was still seated on the couch as if she didn’t have a care in the world. He’d thought her demeanor was proof of her innocence. Now it only seemed to emphasize the level of her arrogance and deceit. Jett turned to him as he entered.

  “Doctor Munro claims she’s never seen the bottle before. She doesn’t have a clue what’s in it.”

  Bryce stared at Chanel with narrowed eyes and his anger stirred again. “Is that right, Doctor Munro? You’ve never seen this bottle before?”

  Something in his eyes or maybe the coldness in his voice gave her pause. She looked up at him in surprise and her brows came down in confusion. Fear chased itself across her face and her eyes darkened with uncertainty. In other circumstances, he would have gone to her and assured her it was all right.

  But he didn’t move and it wasn’t all right. As if sensing something was terribly wrong, Chanel stood and crossed her arms over her chest. She lifted her chin and once again, stared him down.

  “What are you implying, Detective Sutcliffe? Should I know what’s in that bottle?”

  “It was found in your kitchen. I assume you know what it is.”

  Her eyes blazed into his, anger setting them on fire. “Like I told your partner, I’ve never seen it before in my life. I’m not the only person who lives here.”

  Jett looked from her to him, then back to the bottle in Bryce’s hands. “What do you want to do, Bryce?”

  Bryce stared at Chanel for another long moment and breathed through his hurt and disappointment.

  “Arrest her.”

  Chanel gasped and her cheeks went pale. She stared at him in confusion. “What the hell? You can’t do that!”

  “I’m afraid we can, Doctor Munro,” Jett nodded and pulled out a pair of cuffs.

  Her gaze flew to Bryce and this time, it was tinged with panic. Her eyes narrowed in anger. “Handcuffs? You have to be kidding!”

  “Bring her in, Jett,” he said and turned away, unable to remain near her another minute.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 
Chanel paced the tight confines of the holding cell and tried to stem her panic. The pale blue bars that surrounded her were lined with thick Perspex and no doubt would hurt if she hit it. She clenched her fists and resisted the urge to find out.

  She still couldn’t believe she’d been arrested. She’d been curious when Bryce’s partner had shown her the small brown medicine bottle, but not overly concerned. Although she hadn’t seen it before, like she’d told Bryce and his partner, she wasn’t the only one living there. It was quite likely her roommate had left it in the cupboard. Tanya was always cooking exotic Indian curries using genuine herbs and spices. Chanel didn’t know the name of half the things the woman had stacked on the shelves.

  She couldn’t believe Bryce had arrested her without even acknowledging the possibility that the bottle belonged to someone else. The closed look on his face had cut her to the quick. It was like looking into the face of a stranger. Overnight, he seemed to have morphed into a cold and unfamiliar figure. A man she didn’t recognize.

  So much for his assurances that he believed in her innocence and that innocence always won out on the day. Somewhere during the hours of lovemaking and his return to her apartment with his men, his attitude had undergone a total about turn. She couldn’t explain it and most certainly didn’t understand it, but it was the truth. The hurt it caused deep inside her was a physical thing.

  “Chanel Munro, you have a visitor,” said the young constable on guard outside her cell.

  The announcement caused Chanel’s heart to leap with hope. Could Bryce have come to his senses? Was he even now doing what was necessary to affect her release? Would she accept his apology that it had all been a terrible mistake, or would she give him the silent treatment and make him suffer?

  She was still debating the wisest course of action when her brother Tom appeared outside her cell. On his heels were two more brothers, Brandon and Clayton. All three of them looked furious.

  “Tom! I’m so glad you’re here!” She looked from Clayton to Brandon. “How did you both know—?”

  “Tom called us as soon as he got off the phone to you,” Brandon explained. “He thought the more manpower on your side, the better. I agree.” Brandon shook his head in disbelief. “What have you gotten yourself into, little sister?”

  Clayton stepped closer to the cell. “How are they treating you, honey? Have you eaten today?”

  Tears welled up in Chanel’s eyes at the care and concern in his voice. She shook her head and answered in a shaky voice.

  “No. They came by with some sandwiches an hour ago, but I wasn’t hungry. I just want to get out of here. Take me home, Clay. Please.”

  Tom moved closer, his expression grim. “We’re working on it, Chanel. Don’t worry, we’ve made it clear we’re unhappy about how they’ve dealt with this. They don’t even know what’s in the fucking bottle! To have you arrested on the flimsiest of excuses is unforgivable. Someone’s going to lose their balls over this. Mark my words.”

  Tom’s anger was gratifying and worked to soothe Chanel’s battered nerves. If Tom thought her arrest was unjustified, it was good enough for her. He was a veteran cop with more than two decades of experience. There wasn’t anything about the law and policing her oldest brother didn’t know.

  “Thanks, Tom,” she whispered. “And thanks to all of you for coming. This cell’s doing my head in.”

  “They put her in a cell, for Christ’s sake!” Brandon shouted, his expression darkening.

  “Like a common criminal!” Tom added.

  “Let’s hope the buffoon responsible gets his ass into gear and gets her out of here,” Clayton growled.

  Right on cue, Bryce appeared outside the cell. He stared at Chanel, his face a blank mask. She held back a sob of distress. It was as if last night had never happened. Where had the tender and loving man gone, the man who’d held her and kissed her all night long? The morning had brought her a stranger and a cold and unforgiving one at that.

  Well, two could play at that game. With a surge of determination and stubborn pride, she deliberately turned her back on him and focused on her brothers. She listened in satisfaction as Tom tore savage strips off the man who’d been her lover.

  Unable to stand it, Chanel peeked at him from the corner of her eye. To his credit, Bryce remained unmoved, never once reacting to the anger in Tom’s words. Instead, he merely lifted the keys in his hand and inserted one into the lock.

  “You’re free to go, Doctor Munro, but don’t go leaving town,” he said coldly. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Hurt warred with anger deep inside her. Anger won out. She spun on her heel and opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she thought. Clayton grabbed her by the arm and hurried her along. He shot her a warning look that meant she was to keep her mouth shut. She left without speaking, but threw Bryce a look so cold and venomous, she was sure he’d get the drift. Inside, her heart broke into a thousand tiny pieces.

  * * *

  Bryce kicked at the loose stones lining the path that wended its way through the park across from the building that housed Doctor Baker’s private rooms. He’d dropped his grandmother off outside the entryway nearly thirty minutes earlier and once again was waiting for her text to tell him she was done.

  Of their own volition, his thoughts turned to Chanel and he winced at the way he’d treated her. Now that the initial shock of finding the medicine bottle had worn off, he could look at the matter rationally. He still didn’t know anything about the person who’d called in the anonymous tip, but the truth of it was, the tipster had known far more than they should.

  To know the specific type of poison was more than suspicious. It wasn’t like people were poisoned with ricin every day and yet, the anonymous caller had known about it.

  Right up until the moment Jett had discovered the bottle, Bryce was still very much of the opinion Chanel was innocent. Their night together had been magical and he liked to think he was a decent judge of character. Apart from her physical beauty, she was beautiful on the inside, too. Good and kind and caring… He couldn’t imagine her being a killer.

  And then there was her family. He’d met three of her brothers the day she was released. Large and impressive, their presence had dominated the police station. It was obvious they loved their younger sister and were quick to come to her defense. They were much decorated police officers—their characters, unimpeachable. It didn’t seem possible that their sister could be guilty of murder. Call him naïve, but it plain didn’t make any sense. Apart from the bottle that was found in her kitchen and the fact the patients were under her care, there wasn’t a scrap of evidence that pointed to her guilt.

  A wave of reproach washed over him and he compressed his lips in disgust. Her brothers were right: He should never have arrested her. He’d been acting through a haze of shock and hurt and disappointment. Still, it was no excuse.

  The discovery of the medicine bottle had floored him, but the mysterious powder could be anything. It might come back to be nothing more than some herbal crap that could be purchased at any health store. The mere existence of a bottle in a woman’s kitchen wasn’t cause for arrest.

  Not only an arrest, but she’d been handcuffed and put in the cells, all at his direction. What had he been trying to prove? That he was still the one in control after being blindsided by what he perceived was her betrayal? The blow to his pride was no excuse for his bad behavior. His heavy handedness was unforgivable.

  And what about the roommate she’d mentioned? Tanya Singh? Chanel had reluctantly supplied him with her name and cell number. Though he’d left several messages, he had yet to track her down, but the fact was, she lived at the residence, too. It was just as likely the bottle belonged to her.

  Hot shame raced through him and scorched his skin. No wonder Chanel had stared at him as if she wanted him to disappear off the face of the earth. After all they’d shared, he couldn’t believe he’d fucked it up so monumentally. He’d be lucky if she ever spoke to him again.<
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  His phone chirped to indicate a new text message and he glanced down at the screen. His grandmother had finished with Doctor Baker. He hurried back to his vehicle and met her a few minutes later outside the building. She waved to him from the pavement and he climbed out and helped her into the car.

  “How did you do?” he asked and eased out into the traffic.

  “Oh, not too bad, but Doctor Baker wants to admit me to the hospital. My ulcer isn’t healing like it should. He wants to give me a course of IV antibiotics. I’m going to be admitted tomorrow.”

  Bryce frowned. Doctor Baker was still high on his suspect list, even though he didn’t have any evidence linking the man to the crimes. It was more of a gut instinct. Unfortunately, he needed more than that to veto his grandmother’s treatment. The fact was, she had faith in her doctor and for now, that would have to be enough.

  “I’ll make sure I’m free to take you in. What time do you have to be at the hospital?”

  “Tomorrow morning, if that’s all right. It would be nice if you could take me there.”

  “Of course, Grandma. I’ll make sure it happens. Now, I’m going to have to drop you off at home and run. I have a heap of things to do at the office.”

  His grandmother looked at him. “You look tired, Bryce. I hope you’re not overdoing it. A couple of days ago, you didn’t come home all night.”

  He could see the questions in her eyes, but refused to acknowledge them. Instead, he forced a smile. “I’m fine, Grandma. Busy, that’s all.”

  * * *

  Chanel finished her umpteenth round of solitaire and shut the lid on her laptop with a sigh. It had been four days since she’d been summoned to the general manager’s office and stood down from her job; three days since her arrest. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much spare time on her hands. Even when she was in high school, she’d studied hard. College was more of the same and after graduation, she’d been consumed with twelve-hour shifts, emergency call-outs and everything in between. She’d never been one for sitting around and the enforced idleness and the constant attention from her brothers were driving her crazy.