Their Seductress [The Hot Millionaires #1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Zara Chase Page B

was killed I believe, Ms. Fairfax.”
    “Yes, that’s right. I manage Carter Promotions’s field office there.”
    “I’ve asked Mr. Drake and Mr. Fuller this question. Now I’m asking you. Do you know of anyone who’d wish Ms. Carter harm?”
    Paige wrinkled her brow. “No, I don’t. Obviously, I’ve thought about it a lot over the past few days.”
    “Did you know the deceased well?”
    “Her name was Ellie,” Paige said in a clipped tone. “Or Ms. Carter. Calling her ‘the deceased’ makes it all sound so impersonal.”
    “I’m sorry.” Weir spread his hands. “I should have been more sensitive. I guess in my line of work you—”
    “It’s all right.” Paige waved aside the lieutenant’s apology. “What did you ask me again?”
    “I was asking how well you knew Ms. Carter.”
    “She was my boss. I’ve worked in the London office for four years. She used to pop over regularly, but I really only got to know properly when the manager had personal problems.”
    “Mr. Drake’s brother?”
    Paige sucked in a breath. “Yes, he was going through a rough patch. Business suffered, and Ellie flew over to sort it out.”
    “She gave you Mr. Drake’s job, and Mr. Drake subsequently died, is that right?” he asked mildly.
    Like you don’t know damned well it is! Isaac silently fumed, desperate to spring to Paige’s defense, knowing it would be a grave error to do so. The lieutenant was astute. He probably picked up on the sexual vibes between him and Paige straightaway. He wouldn’t be much of a detective if he didn’t notice the redness on her face where his day’s growth had rasped against it and her lips swollen from his kisses. Hopefully the way she sat down so carefully because she was probably still sore after the pounding she’d begged for and received did pass him by. Not that Paige needed any help from him. She was answering the lieutenant’s questions with straightforward honesty, never once breaking eye contact, her distress at Ellie’s untimely demise apparent to the slowest wit. And Lieutenant Weir was anything but slow-witted.
    “Yes, that’s right.”
    “You and Ms. Carter were close friends before your promotion?”
    “No, we barely knew each other.”
    “Then she showed great faith in you. That was quite some responsibility for one so young.”
    “I earned that faith, Lieutenant, and Ellie never had reason to regret her decision.”
    “So, you’re saying you didn’t know Ms. Carter socially?”
    “What do you…ah, I understand what you’re asking. Why didn’t you just come right out and ask me if Ellie and I had a sexual relationship?” Paige arched a defiant brow. “I believe that’s what you want to know.”
    “I am aware of her other…er, interests.”
    “I’m not a lesbian, Lieutenant.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question.”
    “Tough, it’s all you’re getting. I’m not prepared to reveal anything further about my private life, unless you can prove that it’s germane to your investigation, and I can’t see how it would be because this tragedy has nothing to do with me.” Paige sat a little straighter and tilted her chin. “I want whoever did this brought to justice, but I didn’t do it and have no idea who did.”
    Isaac wanted to applaud. He contented himself with quirking one brow in the lieutenant’s direction, a small smile he didn’t try to suppress tugging at the corners of his mouth.
    “Have you asked all the men in the office, and in Ellie’s address book, if they had sexual relationships with her and where they were when she was murdered?” Paige asked with a sweet smile. “I believe Ellie enjoyed the company of both men and women.”
    “We’re working on it.” The lieutenant expelled a long breath, put aside his empty beer bottle, and encompassed the three of them with his eyes. “Sorry I had to put you through that, Ms. Fairfax,” he said, sounding sincere. “I had to assure myself that you were as innocent as you seem