Luke saw the answer in Jamie’s eyes. Apparently so did Eric. His face had lost its shock and now fury sharpened his features to stone. His blue eyes turned to platinum. “She was here when you locked up. She saw you enter the code, which means she left with you. Right? That’s what you’re saying? Despite everything that was riding on this deal, you fucked her, didn’t you?”
Tessa flinched, but Jamie met his brother’s gaze head-on.
“She said she was feeling tipsy. She asked me to drive her home.”
“And that’s all you did.” There was no question in Eric’s voice. His words dripped with scorn, and Jamie finally looked away.
Tessa drew a breath that caught in her throat, and despite his intention to approach this impersonally, Luke reached a hand out to touch her arm. She jerked away.
Simone stepped forward. “So tell us exactly what happened as you were leaving.”
Tense silence ruled the room for a few heartbeats before Jamie nodded. “There was one table left at closing time. Normal for a Monday. I shooed everyone out, but Monica stayed behind. She said she didn’t think she could drive. Asked if I would drive her home. She’d been drinking sample glasses, trying out the different beers, but she’d had six or seven, and she’s skinny, so I didn’t think anything of it.” His eyes cut to Eric. “If a woman says she can’t drive, I take her at her word.”
“So she stayed behind,” Simone pushed.
“Yeah. I warned her it would take a few minutes to close up. I locked the front door, turned off the signage lights, finished cleaning the front room.”
“Then what?”
“Then I carried the glassware to the back, and turned off the office lights.”
“So she could’ve unlocked the front door then.”
“I guess so. I didn’t recheck it.”
Luke nodded. “The cameras didn’t catch anyone in the front lot, but if someone came from the back and stayed close to the wall, I think they could’ve slipped by the camera.” He gestured for Jamie to continue.
“I was finishing up when Monica came in back to join me.”
“So you didn’t even go back to the front room?”
“Just to turn off the lights and glance around. That’s it.”
“And then she left with you via the back door?”
“Yes. She was…she’d been flirtatious. She was definitely very close when I set the alarm.”
“So she could’ve watched you.”
“Yeah.”
Tessa sounded like she was choking. “This doesn’t make any sense,” she whispered. “They’re rich. They’re successful. Why would they risk everything to steal a few computers from us?”
“I’m
not sure it’s that simple,” Luke answered. He watched her arms cross and hold each other and wished she’d let him touch her.
Simone leaned close. “Monica Kendall,” she whispered. Luke nodded. They needed to interview her as quickly as possible. If they could get the sister to cooperate, Graham would be under arrest soon enough. Luke stepped back to call the station to have a check run on Monica. He avoided the radio, unwilling to let a reporter get ahold of his story before it blew up. As he waited on the phone, Luke watched Tessa lean in and speak in a low voice to Eric, but Eric pushed up from the table and walked away. Tessa followed, but Jamie stayed in his seat, his shoulders relaxed, his face peaceful. He’d obviously wanted to confess, but Tessa looked grief-stricken.
“I’ll grab the print kit,” Simone said, pointing toward the lock high on the front door. Seconds later, a dispatcher informed him that Monica Kendall had no record in Colorado, not even an outstanding parking ticket. He hoped this was her first interaction with the police. She might panic and blurt out a confession before her lawyer arrived. They couldn’t stop a person from incriminating herself if she wanted to.
Simone pulled prints from the lock. Eric disappeared into the offices while Tessa stood looking helpless.
“Let us know what you find out, man,” Jamie said as he slowly rose to his feet and rolled his shoulders back.
“I may have to ask you a few more questions about Monica, but only if the need arises.”
“I understand.” Jamie’s eyes slid toward Tessa. “I’ll be in the back,” he said. Simone packed up the kit and went to wait in the car. They were finally alone. He was surprised when Tessa spoke first.