“We are going to have to investigate your life, as part of this case.” Simon’s voice was very careful. “It’s just easier if we start by knowing the secrets instead of having to uncover them and question you more later. Saves us time, you understand?”

She couldn’t read the expression in Eric’s eyes. “You’ve known me most of my life. I don’t have dark secrets.”

“We all have them,” Simon told her. “Eric sure has plenty.”

“Watch it,” Eric rasped at him.

“Watching it.” Simon cleared his throat. “Moving on…current lover.”

He wanted to know her current lover? Easy. “I…don’t have one.”

He nodded. “Okay, then let’s start with your most recent lover and work our way back from there. You can just tell me when Ben fits into this mix.” The last was said as an off-hand aside. Like it was a given.

And it pissed her off. “Seriously?” Her voice rose to an alarming degree. “Why does everyone think I’ve slept with Ben?”

Simon looked over at her and blinked. Then he shook his head. “I am so sorry. Look, I don’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. We want you to talk freely with us. We want to help. I just thought by mentioning Ben—I mean, you just said he was the person closest to you—I figured it would be easier—”

She held up her hand. “Stop.” Piper pulled in a deep breath. “There’s a big misconception here. Obviously, one that you and Eric both share. Let’s just start with this, okay? I have not ever been Ben’s lover.”

Simon frowned. He typed something on his laptop.

She directed her attention to Eric. “Is that point well covered now?”

A muscle jerked in his jaw. “Very well, thank you.”

“As for other lovers, I mean…I just don’t think they’d do this. My last lover—Zane Clarke—our relationship ended a year ago. It wasn’t the best end, but it wasn’t some nightmare, either.”

Simon was typing. She could hear the faint click of the keys, but she couldn’t seem to drag her gaze off Eric.

“Why did it end?” Eric asked quietly.

“He got a job in Chicago. He wanted me to move with him.” She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I didn’t want to go.” Because she hadn’t loved him. “So, we went our separate ways.”

Eric held her gaze. “Before him?”

“Before him I was involved with Grady Fox.” And she smiled saying his name. Fun, easy-going Grady.

“That was in college.”

She lifted an eyebrow at Eric’s words. “Yes.”

“You…you…” He kind of sputtered away. “How many lovers have you had?”