Fatal Series 01 - Fatal Affair

safe?” Sam asked.
    Natalie nodded. “My parents’ home in Springfield.”
    “Give me some time to look into this,” Sam said.
    “He’s powerful,” Natalie said. “You’ll never be able to pin this on him.”
    “If he did it, I’ll pin it on him,” Sam assured her.
    Natalie stood up to leave. “I’m sorry to barge in on you. I heard about what happened earlier. I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt.”
    They walked her to the door. “Tomorrow, I’ll want to get all of this on the record.” Sam pulled her ever-present notebook from her back pocket. “Write down your parents’ address and a phone number where I can reach you.”
    Natalie did as she asked. “Thank you for listening.” To Nick, she added, “I know I was never your favorite person—”
    “That’s neither here nor there.”
    “Anyway, thank you.”
    They watched her walk to her car.
    “She’s full of shit,” Nick said, his eyes intensely focused on Natalie’s car as it drove away. “I don’t believe her for one minute.”
    “What don’t you believe? That her jealous husband could’ve killed the man his wife never stopped loving? That’s as good a motive as I’ve heard yet.”
    “I know Noel Jordan. He’s not made of that kind of stuff. If you ask me, she is, though. I could very easily see her losing her shit with John and killing him for not loving her enough. After what we heard earlier about her ex-boyfriend dying in a suspicious fire, you believe it’s possible, too.”
    “Why would she come here, seeking out the lead detective on the case, if she was the one who did it? Think about that, Nick.”
    “Why didn’t you ask her about what happened to her boyfriend in Hawaii?”
    “I didn’t want to tip my hand on that just yet. As long as she thinks we don’t know about it, she might be more forthcoming.”
    “I don’t like her. I’ve never liked her, and I don’t care what you say, she’s lying. She’ll do anything it takes to advance her agenda, even if it means tossing her husband under the bus.”
    Sam checked her watch. “I wonder what time Noel goes to bed.”
    “You’re actually going to do something with that pile of bullshit she just fed you?”
    “Of course I am. This could be the break we’ve been waiting for.”
    He ushered her out of the house and locked the door behind them. “You’re wasting your time.”
    “It’s my time to waste.”
    “It’s almost midnight.”
    “I know what time it is. If you’d rather stay here, I can go by myself.”
    “You’re not going anywhere by yourself as long as your ex-husband is out there waiting for another chance to kill you.”
    “I don’t need you to protect me, Nick. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
    Silently, he ushered her into the car and a few minutes later took the exit for the George Washington Parkway, heading toward Alexandria. “You really think I could go home and go to bed and actually sleep , knowing you’re out here by yourself confronting a potential killer while your ex waits for his next opportunity?”
    “I’ve been in tighter spots.”
    “That was before.”
    “Before what?”
    “Before me.”
    “I’m not one of those women who finds this whole alpha-male act sexy. In fact, it’s a major turn off.”
    “Whatever.”
    They rode to Belle Haven in stony silence. Sam didn’t speak until she had to direct him to the dark house. She retrieved her gun and badge from her purse and tucked them into her coat pockets. “Wait here.”
    As if she hadn’t spoken, Nick emerged from the car and followed her up the walk.
    “I told you to wait!”
    “You’re not going in there alone, Sam. It’s either me, or I call 911.” He held up his cell phone defiantly. “What’s it going to be?”
    They engaged in a silent battle of wills until Sam finally said, “Don’t say a word. Do you hear me? Not one freaking word.” She spun around and marched up the front stairs to ring the bell. It echoed in the big house. They waited a couple of minutes before a light went on upstairs. Through the beveled windows next to the door, Sam watched Noel come down the stairs.
    He peeked through the window before he opened the door. “Sergeant Holland?” Blinking, he glanced at Nick.
    “Yes,” Sam said. “I’m sorry to call on you so late.” Begrudgingly, she added, “I believe you know Nick Cappuano.”
    “Of course. Come in.” Noel’s blond hair stood on end. He wore a T-shirt from a road race with