Page 91 of Merciless King

"Good job, Elio," I murmur to myself, pride swelling at my brother's handiwork. Here I thought he was being wishy-washy with Rinella. Turns out he’s been plotting his retaliation. Smart of him to arrange it while he’s on his honeymoon.

A knock sounds at my office door at our downtown office building. I glance up, my smile fading as two men in suits stride in. They look official. One of them, the older one, is attractive enough, with a rugged, world-weary look about him. Normally, I don’t respond to men I’ve never met, handsome or otherwise. But there is something in his gray eyes that I find intriguing.

He steps forward, flashing a badge. "Detective Henry Lutz," he introduces himself before gesturing to his partner. "This is Detective Peter Hartley. We'd like to ask you a few questions, Miss D'Amato."

What a disappointment. He’s a cop. I make it my mission in life to stay away from them.

"It's just Lana," I reply coolly, leaning back in my chair. "And I'm a little busy at the moment." It’s no lie. Elio has been giving me more responsibility, and I want to prove to him that he can trust me in the business.

The detective gives me a tight smile. "I'm afraid this can't wait. We have some questions about your family's whereabouts and activities on a few specific nights recently."

I arch an eyebrow, keeping my expression neutral despite the flare of unease. Elio always says it’s best to appear cooperative with cops. Appearing being the operative word.

"I suppose I can spare a few minutes." I gesture to the chairs in front of my desk. "Please, have a seat."

The detectives sit, and Lutz pulls out a small notebook, flipping it open. "Have you heard about the boat owned by Vincenzo Rinella sinking on Lake Michigan the other day?”

“It was in the news.”

“What do you know about it?” Hartley barks at me.

I frown. “Nothing. Why would you think I would?” That’s the truth too. Until I read the news article, I had no idea it sank. While I feel certain it’s Elio’s doing, I have no direct knowledge of it.

Hartley sneers. “Everyone knows you have a beef with the Rinellas.”

I shake my head. “I have no issue with them.”

Lutz gives his partner a look, then turns back to me. “Where were you the night it sank?”

I pretend to think for a moment before shrugging. "I was likely here at the office, working late, as usual. I'd have to check my calendar to be certain, though."

Lutz makes a note, his pen scratching across the paper. "And your brother, Elio? Do you know where he was that night?"

"I'm not my brother's keeper, Detective," I reply with a hint of annoyance. "But I do know he’s on his honeymoon.”

“That doesn’t absolve you or him,” Hartley says.

“Then why ask for alibis if you’re not going to accept them?”

Lutz’s lips twitch up slightly. I think he’s amused by me. Interesting.

He holds up a placating hand. "We're not accusing you of anything, Miss D'Amato. We're just trying to get a clear picture of events. Anything we could learn about your business… your relationship with the Rinellas… could help."

I narrow my eyes, studying him intently. There's something in his tone that sets my instincts on high alert. Like his true intention isn’t the Rinella boat, but that’s the excuse that brought them here. He's fishing for information. What's his real agenda?

"I already told you, I was likely here working," I reply tersely. "As for the Rinellas, whatever misfortune may have befallen them is not my concern. Now if that's all…" I start to rise, signaling the end of this little interrogation.

"What about Gabriel Collins?”

Now I know there’s something else up. I sit back down. “If I’m not mistaken, one of your own shot him as he held a knife to his stepdaughter’s throat.”

Once again, Lutz eyes his partner with a short, curt shake of his head. I want to tell Lutz to keep Hartley on a tighter leash.

“Your brother was there,” Hartley says, ignoring his partner.

I do an exaggerated eye roll to annoy him. “Yes. Gabriel was planning to kill the woman Elio loves and his daughter. It’s clear that you’ve never loved anyone, so perhaps you don’t know the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. More importantly, I fail to see what it has to do with my family and the Rinellas."

Hartley's eyes glint with something ugly and accusatory. "Maybe nothing. Or maybe your brother had a hand in setting that little scene up, to get rid of his girlfriend's inconvenient husband."