The Bodyguard by Lena Diaz Read Free Book Online Page A

well. Based on my current understanding of the case, we only know one thing—that someone murdered Mr. Ashton. We don’t know if the killer wanted to kill him, or if Mrs. Ashton was his true target, or if it was simply a burglary gone wrong with no real connection to either of the Ashtons.”
    “I hadn’t thought of that,” Caroline said.
    “I’m sure Detective Cornell has, but he confronted you earlier to shake you up, to see your reaction. Right now, everyone has more questions than answers. What I want to do is keep the status quo, keep the variables as close to normal as possible. That will make it much more obvious if someone has changed their routine, or if they act differently. By returning to your usual routine, it will be easier to judge people’s reactions, easier to point out if someone seems a bit...off.”
    Luke tapped the table. “And I’m supposed to sit in my car and watch the mansion? What good does that do?”
    “It allows you to become invisible. No one is going to pay attention to you outside, but if you’re inside, everyone acts differently and it will be much harder for Mrs. Ashton to pick up on any changes.”
    “Please call me Caroline, both of you. And as far as your plan, Alex, I agree it will be fairly easy for me to spot any changes that way.”
    “I’m concerned about your safety,” Luke insisted.
    “There’s no reason to believe Mrs. Ashton’s...that is, Caroline’s security company that’s already in place can’t continue to protect the mansion. Stellar Security has an unblemished reputation.”
    “You’re right. They do. Caroline, as much as it galls me to admit it, you probably don’t need me anymore.”
    She reached for his hand. From the way her eyes widened, it appeared she was just as surprised at her action as Luke was, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he threaded his fingers with hers.
    Some of the tension went out of her and she gave him a tentative smile. “It may not seem like I need you, but I do. The mansion has never been my home. No one there is my friend or cares one whit about me. While I’d prefer that you be inside, with me, just knowing you are watching over the place will give me comfort. That is, if you don’t mind.”
    He considered the hours he’d be spending sitting in his car. He wouldn’t be able to run the air conditioner all that time, not without overheating the engine, which meant he’d be the one overheating. That thought should have had him wanting to end the contract and go back to his office. But it didn’t. For some reason, he couldn’t bear not being there. He wanted, needed, to make sure she really was safe.
    “If that’s what you want, then I’m happy to stay on the case, in whatever capacity you and Alex think makes sense.”
    She smiled and pulled her hand back.
    Luke sorely missed the feel of her delicate hand in his, which surprised him again. Everything about Caroline and his reactions to her surprised him.
    Alex raised a brow at the exchange but didn’t comment on it.
    “What about Leslie?” Caroline asked Alex. “You mentioned earlier you had concerns about her.”
    “I do. Tell me, how did you end up renting the cottage where your husband was killed?”
    “Leslie helped me find it on the internet.”
    “Did she know what time you were supposed to arrive on the day you were moving in?”
    “Well, yes.” Her eyes widened. “You can’t be suggesting she had anything to do with Richard’s death.”
    “Not suggesting,” Alex said. “Just exploring the facts. She knew where you were going and what time you’d be there, so you have to consider she could have planned the murder expecting you to discover the body. She may have wanted you to look guilty.”
    Caroline shook her head. “No, that’s not what happened at all. Leslie had nothing to gain from Richard’s death. And she couldn’t have known what time I’d be at the cottage because I changed plans after leaving her office. I hired Luke. Then I