Seductive Suspect - Page 33

There were only two of us left.

Chapter Eleven

My breaths came in quick gasps, and sweat beaded on my skin. Primal instincts shrieked at me to get away, to find some way to escape. I leapt up from the sofa, nearly tripping over the coffee table. Adam jumped back, startled, and I ran around to the other side of the opposite couch, desperate to put something between us.

“Veronica?”

“Adam, what did youdo?” My voice trembled.

“What are you talking about?” He pushed off the cushions, rising to his full height.

“Don’t move! Don’t come near me!” Tears sprang to my eyes and I took another step back. “I trusted you,” I choked out.

He remained standing, but stayed on his side of the couch. “I still don’t know what you mean. I didn’t do anything.”

“Stop lying to me.” I glanced around the room, though I wasn’t sure if I searched for an exit, a means of defense, or Dylan walking through the door. “Something happened to Isabel, and it’s clear by now Dylan stumbled into another trap. I know I’m not a murderer, so that leaves only one other person. You.”

Hurt darkened his eyes, and I felt a quick pang of guilt. “How could I have killed anyone?” he asked. “I’ve been with you since last night.”

I wiped my cheeks with the backs of my hands. “Someone’s been sneaking around this place at night, and I think I figured out how. You could have left your room before I saw you out on the balcony. Or even this morning after I went to shower and change.”

“Fine. I guess there’s no use in trying to convince you otherwise.” Adam turned to sit down again, but stopped halfway through the motion. “No. Wait.”

He stepped closer to me. I scurried backward and collidedwith the pool table, wincing when the corner jabbed me in the hip.

Kneeling on the couch, he clasped his hands on the rear edge and fixed me in an intense stare. “Look at me. Think of all we shared last night. I meant every word I ever said to you.”

I twisted the hem of my shirt in knots. “There’s no one else here, no other explanation.”

“There has to be.” His gaze never wavered. “But if you can look me in the eye and tell me you believe I’m responsible for killing over a half dozen people, I won’t stop you from trying to do whatever you think is best.”

Slumping against the pool table, I blew out a long stream of air. My limbs felt like they each weighed a hundred pounds, and I needed this situation to be over with one way or another. “I’m so, so tired.” The words came out in a pitiful whimper. “And I just want to go home.”

“I know. Me, too.” When Adam climbed off the couch and walked around it, I didn’t try to stop him. He approached me slowly, extending his hand. “Come on. Let’s go solve this mystery.”

With nothing left to lose, I let him curl his fingers around mine. He led me out of the library, where we peered into the foyer. No sign of Isabel or Dylan.

“Let’s try the kitchen first,” he said.

We crept across the great hall. Adam pushed on the door, and it swung open with a slow creak. The first thing I saw was a crimson puddle oozing toward us over the pristine white tiles. I followed its path to find Dylan lying face down on the floor, a knife buried in his back up to the hilt.

“Took you long enough.” Isabel leaned against the counter, a blood-soaked towel wadded up beside her. She held a gun, which, though currently pointed at the floor, appeared far too natural in her hand. “I have to admit, Dylan surprised me whenhe was the first one to come looking for me. But I guess you two have been rather preoccupied.”

Adam yanked my arm and moved in front of me, shielding my body with his. “Do we get any sort of an explanation, or are you just going to shoot us and get it over with?”

She smirked. “It’s no accident, Adam, that you’re one of the last to survive. Well, I suppose you might have triggered the statue to fall on you, but I felt pretty confident Paul would be the victim there. He did always seem too eager to be in charge and play the hero.”

“Me? Why me?” His head tilted to the side. “I’ve never even met you before.”

“No, you haven’t. But it doesn’t mean we don’t know each other, or at least knowofeach other.” She stared at him, her expression blank. “Avery is actually my middle name, not my surname. You probably know me better as Isabel Porter.”

Adam dragged his hand down his face and shook his head. “You’re Izzy.”

“Don’t call me that!” she snapped. “Mia was the only one allowed to call me that.”

Nothing about this conversation made sense to me. “Who’s Mia? Can someone fill me in on what’s going on here?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Go ahead, tell her. I’m not the only one here with blood on their hands.”