“You know them well?” he asked, giving her an expression as he grazed over her body again. His question was laced with hidden meaning she was out of practice of identifying.
“No. Business,” she added with an attitude.
“I may need to talk with you. Stick around if you can.” He walked away and toward his partner, Luke and Renaldo not giving her an opportunity to respond. She wondered why she had a feeling that this situation wasn’t good at all.
* * * *
Vin did not like either man’s attitude nor did Justice once he joined the conversation. Vin could tell that Justice was fired up seeing Ellie dressed in a sexy red dress and knowing one of the two men they were questioning. He hoped that Justice kept his cool.
“Listen, we understand that there were a lot of people at that party, but the woman in question was found murdered. We need to speak with anyone who was seen with her the other night. Multiple people named you,” Justice stated toward Luke.
“I remember her. She was a regular.”
“A regular?” Vin asked.
“Detective Elloy, is it? She was a woman who frequented many upscale parties in search of landing a wealthy man. All I can tell you from conversations we’ve had in the past was that she was working her way through school and trying to establish a modeling career to boot,” Luke told them.
“Are you saying that she was prostituting herself?” Justice asked but then kept his eye on Renaldo who seemed pompous and disrespectful.
Luke chuckled and raised his hands palms forward. “A lot of women become obsessed with money, and like I said, landing a wealthy man. She’s one of many. I’m sorry that I can’t be of more assistance.”
“Sure you are,” Justice added, giving Luke the dirtiest look Vin had ever seen him give someone.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Luke asked.
“Nothing. Here’s my card. If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to call me. It could help us find her killer,” Vin stated as Luke took the car and stared at Justice.
“Prostitute or not, murder is a crime, and the killer will be caught and brought to justice. I’m certain that the two of you upstanding citizens would like to be part of solving that crime,” Justice said. He smiled and winked and then walked away. Vin followed.
“Holy shit, partner, I don’t think I have ever seen you give the looks you were giving that Sentinel guy.”
Justice remained silent as they headed out of the place.
“Was it how much of a pompous asshole he was being along with Phillips, or the fact that he had his hands on your woman?” Vin asked.
Justice gave him a look, but as they headed toward the valet, they both saw Ellie getting into her car.
Justice hurried over as Vin walked to get their car.
* * * *
Ellie didn’t know why she felt guilty and nervous or why she told the valet four times to get someone else’s car so she could wait for Justice. A series of thoughts went through her head. Were Luke and Renaldo involved in some sort of illegal activity? Was Justice angry with her for being there with them? But none of it seemed to affect her more than thoughts of whether or not Justice found her attractive or was jealous seeing her with two other men. Not that anything was going on, but by his and Vin’s expression, it sure did seem to look that way.
She couldn’t wait any longer without seeming like a woman with a crush on the sexy detective. Even his gun and badge on his waist aroused her. How silly. The fact that Justice was even involved in law enforcement should make her weary and stay clear. Paul was a correctional officer. He carried a gun. Hell, he used it to assault her that night. She felt the tears sting her eyes, and she swallowed hard as she got into her car.
“Ellie.”
She heard Justice’s voice as she closed the door. She pressed the automatic button to roll down the window. He leaned on the doorframe and looked into her eyes and then over the cleavage of her dress.
“Yes?”
“Can you follow us out of here? It’s important.
She nodded and he stared at her a moment as if he wanted to say something and then didn’t. He walked away and she pulled out onto the main road and drove slowly until Vin passed her. She followed them about a mile or so toward another shopping center and into the back parking lot.
It was warm out. About eighty degrees as she exited the car.
Vin and Luke walked over. Vin smiled and then looked at Justice who seemed pissed off.