High-Caliber Holiday by Susan Sleeman Read Free Book Online Page B

my parents, and we are completely cordial. And, like I said, he has a new fiancée. Someone far more suited to him than I was.”
    â€œAnd her name is?”
    â€œNatasha something. Sorry, I don’t remember her last name.”
    Rossi scribbled something in his notepad then shifted on his feet. “And you really haven’t dated anyone else since then?”
    â€œNo.”
    Rossi tapped his pen against the paper. “No one. Not a single guy. Really?”
    â€œReally.” She tightened her arms and tried to hold on to her temper.
    â€œYou’re an attractive woman, Morgan, so that’s hard to believe.” Rossi turned to Brady. “Isn’t that hard to believe, Owens?”
    â€œYes,” Brady said, his gaze fixed on her. “But then, I’ve seen how strong willed she is and if she set her mind against dating, I suspect she would succeed.”
    Searching for a response, she looked at Brady. “You don’t have a ring on your finger. How many women have you dated in the last few months?”
    â€œDarcie fixed me up a couple of times. I tried to get out of them, but she’s kind of pushy.” He frowned. “If not for her, I wouldn’t have gone on a date, either.”
    Morgan switched her focus to Rossi. “Brady’s single and attractive. Does it surprise you that he hasn’t been dating?”
    â€œDon’t know about how attractive he is,” he scowled. “But we’re not talking about Owens, here. He isn’t claiming someone left a surprise in his apartment.”
    â€œClaiming?” The word shot out, ending Morgan’s plan to keep to the point. “You don’t believe me, do you? You think I staged this for some reason.”
    â€œHonestly?” Rossi arched a brow as the charged air hung between them. “Your story rings false. I’m more inclined to believe you had a fight with a boyfriend, and now you want him to get in trouble so you call us with a bogus story.”
    She planted her hands on her hips. “I did no such thing, and I certainly hope you’re planning to investigate my complaint.”
    â€œFrankly,” he said flipping his notebook closed, “I’m not. There’s no proof of a break-in and our resources are stretched thin already...”
    â€œHold up,” Brady stepped in. “You can at least canvass the neighbors and dust for prints. Maybe talk to the management company.”
    Rossi scowled at Brady, but Morgan smiled her thanks at him.
    â€œThat I can do, but you should know, every minute I spend on this takes time away from looking into the other threats that have been made against you.”
    â€œThat’s obviously a priority,” Brady said.
    Rossi held up a hand. “Don’t worry. I understand and I’ll do my part. Just know that I have a lot on my plate right now. So I’ll grab my fingerprint kit and get started.” He stepped out of the kitchen.
    Morgan sighed out her frustration. She caught sight of the rose again. Red and threatening against the white countertop. Like blood. Vivid and terrifying. A sharp jolt of fear stabbed through her. She looked at Brady, found his focus fixed on her.
    â€œAre you going to leave now?” Her voice caught as she asked.
    â€œI’ll stay until Rossi finishes up,” he replied.
    â€œThank you,” she whispered in relief.
    She hated that she sounded weak. Hated
feeling
weak, but she hated the thought of being alone even more. For the first time since she’d moved into her apartment, she wondered why she’d ever been so desperate to be alone.

FIVE
    M organ slung the straps for her briefcase and gym bag over her shoulders and stepped to the door. Fear that had plagued her all night made her hesitate and her hand lingered on the knob. “You’re being ridiculous. No one’s waiting to hurt you.”
    She pulled her shoulders back and stepped outside. Wind