Free The Betrayal by Chris Taylor Page B

held White’s gaze for a moment and then her gaze flicked to Declan. He caught his breath at the anger that sparkled in their dark depths.
    “I can do direct,” she said, her gaze still drilling his. She addressed him, despite the fact his barrister had opened the conversation.
    “For a start,” she continued, her eyes sparking fire, “the brief’s not due for another two days, as I’m sure you very well know.” Her gaze narrowed and her eyes turned hard. “Secondly, why didn’t you tell me about Meg Harvey?”
    Shock ricocheted through each and every one of Declan’s nerve endings. Roger turned in his seat to face him, a question in his eyes. Declan felt the weight of his barrister’s stare.
    Declan’s gut churned with dread. “What the hell does Meg have to do with all of this?”
    The expression on the investigator’s face didn’t change. “You’ve been charged with unauthorized access to secure police files, files that contained pornographic pictures of children. You can’t possibly expect me to believe you didn’t think the fact that a woman who complained about you improperly touching her four-year-old daughter would be relevant?”
    Her voice had risen, along with her anger. Color crept up her neck and spilled over into her face. Declan glanced at his lawyer, who had paled beneath his tan. With admirable brevity, White regained his wits.
    “Don’t answer that, Declan. In fact, I suggest you say nothing further until after we’ve discussed the matter at length.” He turned and shot an intimidating look toward the woman who sat across from them. “In private.”
    Chloe’s lips thinned, but she gathered her file and pushed away from the table.
    “Wait,” Declan said. “I want to answer.”
    Roger reached out to him as if to stop him. “Declan, we need to talk. Don’t say anything until we’ve had a chance to—”
    “No,” Declan interrupted, shaking off his lawyer’s cautionary hand. “I have nothing to hide. I didn’t touch Meg Harvey’s daughter and I didn’t access files containing kiddie porn.”
    He turned away, sickened by the thought.
    Chloe slowly regained her seat. She eyeballed him, her gaze steady.
    “Are you sure you want to continue?”
    “Yes.”
    Roger opened his mouth to protest again, but Declan shook his head.
    “Roger, it’s fine. Like I said, I have nothing to hide.” He turned back to Chloe. “Ask your questions.”
    The barrister crossed his arms and made a sound of disgruntlement. “For the record, I’d like it to be clear you are doing this against my advice. I will not be held accountable for what this may or may not cost you.”
    The barrister’s words and his somber demeanor gave Declan pause. The man was the best criminal defense lawyer in the country. He knew what he was talking about. But to leave the allegations hanging without a word of explanation was something Declan was simply not prepared to do. He was innocent. He had to make her see.
    He offered White a brief nod of acknowledgement. “Thank you for your advice, Roger. I appreciate you being here, but I would like to answer Senior Investigator Sabattini’s questions. I’ve already told you, I have nothing to hide.”
    White studied him closely and seemed comforted by what he saw in Declan’s eyes.
    “As you wish,” he murmured.
    Declan drew in a deep breath and steeled himself for Chloe’s questions. He met her gaze without flinching.
    She stared back at him. “Tell me about Meg Harvey.”

CHAPTER 7

    Chloe stifled a surge of surprise when Declan agreed to be interviewed. She’d been sure he’d lawyer up and refuse to answer any of her questions, especially given the sensitive nature of this development.
    But he hadn’t. In fact, he’d even gone against the advice of his barrister to answer her. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration and she wouldn’t deny his cooperation had pushed the balance ever so slightly back in his favor.
    She hadn’t been required to