“We have a witness that puts her in Lind’s room. She heard them having sex once before. We believe the forensic evidence being gathered as we speak will prove recent sexual activity involving both of them in the room where Lind was killed.”

Ray covered his mouth with his hand and turned away from Avery, his shoulders stooping a bit from the devastating news. “God, I was such a fool.”

Avery rested a hand on his old friend’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

Ray shook him off. “I don’t want your pity.”

“It’s not pity.”

“You never liked her, did you?”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to. My mother always said I’d regret marrying her. People thought I was after her money. It was never about the money. I loved her.”

“I know you did.”

“I’d like to go home now.”

“You’re free to go.”

Ray started to walk away, but turned back to Avery. “Thanks for getting justice for Willie. I really wish he’d caught that ball, but he certainly didn’t deserve to die for missing it.”

“No, he didn’t.”

Ray nodded in agreement and walked away.

Avery watched him go, sad for his friend and a little sad for himself too as another case came to a close. Who knew when he’d next lay eyes on the gorgeous lieutenant who’d occupied his thoughts far too often in recent months?

As he headed for the escalator, he knew he had to accept that he’d never have what he wanted from her. It was time to move on. With that in mind, he sent a text to Shelby asking if she had time for lunch tomorrow.

* * *

Elle went ballistic when she saw Darren and a Star photographer waiting outside HQ to document her arrival.

“You’re both fired! Don’t you dare come to work tomorrow!”

The photographer clicked away, capturing the tirade as Darren took copious notes of the venom that spewed from his publisher’s mouth.

Sam took her time walking in as Elle once again fought her every step of the way.

An hour later, Elle and her bodyguards had been processed through central booking and settled in different interrogation rooms. Sam, Hill, Cruz, Malone and Charity Miller were watching them through one-way glass. Horace seemed nervous, Boris looked bored and Elle was still furious, pacing relentlessly from one end of the small room to the other.

Because they’d been working for close to fifteen hours by then and fatigue was setting in, Sam suggested they divide and conquer. She asked Hill to take Boris, Cruz had Horace and she would be going at Elle.

Lieutenant Rango stepped into the small room. “We found some of the blond hairs you needed in Lind’s room, Sam.” He handed her the evidence bag.

“Excellent! Charity, I need a warrant for her DNA.”

“I’ll get it for you.”