Andrew had a million questions to ask, but he’d learned from the few legal suits brought against his company that he was to keep his mouth shut and answer nothing until his lawyer was present.

It was all he could do to control his temper as a grumpy female police officer moved him through the booking process, including taking fingerprints and his mugshot.

Instead of the jail cell he expected, he was taken to a small room with a table and a few chairs. The oversized mirror on the wall told him this was an interrogation. According to TV, interrogations came before an arrest. What proof could they possibly have on him? Good thing his alibi was solid. Nina and Alexandra, and the park rangers, would vouch for his whereabouts last night. And today they’d been on the road, just reaching the city.

His hands and feet remained free as he sat at the table in the white room by himself. He glanced at his watch and frowned. He and Alexandra should be home in his bed, in the middle of some righteous sex. Instead he was in police custody while his love sat in the department lobby awaiting the bail announcement.

After what seemed like forever, Detective Hudson walked in with two Styrofoam cups of coffee. The cop set one in front of Andrew. He almost laughed at the gesture. The first thing that went through his mind was they were trying to feed him truth serum. He took a sip of the atrocious black water and nearly gagged.

“Damn,” Andrew said, “you trying to kill me or question me?”

The detective chuckled. “Budget doesn’t allow for your fancy shit, Carter. But it is a bit worse than normal.”

The door rattled and a tall man with white hair pushed it open with his back then turned to reveal a carry-out drink container with three coffees in his hands.

“Turner, thank god,” Andrew said.

“Always good to see you, Andrew,” Turner replied. “Too bad it’s never on a good occasion.” Andrew realized that was true and made a mental note to have his lawyer over for dinner and introduce Alexandra. Turner set the cardboard box on the table and doled out the trio of beverages. The detective sipped from the new paper cup.

“Christ, Carter,” the detective started, “if we get this expensive coffee with you, we need to find more reasons to bring you in.”

“Right,” Andrew said, “not funny.”

Turner added. “Give me more of a heads up, if you would, Detective. We’re lucky today. The line for coffee was short.”

“Detective Hudson,” Andrew said, “this is my attorney, Turner Rayfield.”

“Figured as much,” Hudson mumbled. Turner took a seat next to Andrew.

“So, Detective,” Turner began, “what do I owe the impromptu drive downtown to?” He turned to Andrew. “Oh, your female companion has a very nice voice even when in a panic.”

“I’ll introduce you later. She’s probably in the front waiting.” Andrew ran his hand through his hair. He was ready to have this over with. The little rest he and Alexandra got last night was wearing thin.

The detective opened the file folder in front of him on the table. “Mr. Carter, you are here for the murder of Jen Ortiz.”

Andrew dropped his arm on the table. “She can’t be dead. I saw her yesterday.”

Turner raised a brow, clueing in Andrew that he needed to keep his mouth closed. “Continue, Detective,” his lawyer said, “I would like to hear how Mrs. Ortiz died.”

“Late last night,” the detective looked at Andrew, “Mrs. Ortiz was killed in a car wreck. Her car exploded.”

Andrew’s stomach churned. What a terrible way to go. Hopefully, she was unconscious from the crash before. He dropped his face into his hands. Even after Jen tried to hurt Alexandra, he never wanted anything bad to happen to his ex-secretary. She was going back to her husband to try to make their marriage work.

“Where were you last night, Mr. Carter,” Hudson asked, “between six p.m. and nine?”

Andrew glanced at Turner who nodded approval to speak. “I was two hours north of here at a cabin in the state park with my girlfriend and her cousin.”

The detective glanced up from his papers. “Are you aware, Mr. Carter, of where Mrs. Ortiz’s wreck happened?”

“No,” Andrew said. “As I said, I wasn’t in town.”

“Mr. Carter, her car wrecked in the state park.” Hudson watched his face for a reaction. Andrew didn’t know what to think. Then he did.

“Oh my god,” he said. “Was that Jen on the highway?” Andrew sprang from his chair and paced the small space. That wreck he saw on the highway when looking for a cell signal was Jen. And if the car that wrecked was the one of the two that zipped past him...

“Who was chasing her?” he blurted.

Hudson raised brow. “I didn’t mention that. How did you know?”

Andrew’s attorney groaned and shook his head. Andrew ignored him. He was innocent. He had nothing to hide.

“Because—”

“My client,” Turner cut in, “has nothing to add at this moment.” Andrew frowned, and Turner almost snarled back. Andrew put his hands up. He was done talking.

“Mr. Carter,” Detective Hudson said, “did you run into the back of Mrs. Ortiz’s car and cause her to crash, killing her?”

Well, maybe he was done talking except for one word. “No.”

Turner closed his attaché. “We’re done here.”

“One last thing, Mr. Carter,” Hudson said, “after you post bail, you’re under house arrest. Don’t leave your home unless you are with your attorney or we’ll throw you in jail as a flight risk.”

Flight risk? Was the man insane? His company had millions of dollars’ worth of construction and assets in this city. And he was the only one in charge. He wasn’t giving up his company to do something stupid when he was innocent to begin with. When he opened his mouth to tell Hudson that, his attorney stood, cutting off all correspondence.

“Thank you, Detective Hudson,” Turner said calmly. “Mr. Carter will remain in his home until further notice.”