Heat of Passion

Detective Fenton glanced over his shoulder and gestured at the front door with a flick of his head. “I noticed that you have video cameras in the parking lot. Do they work?”

Sean nodded, tried to figure out what the detective had up his sleeve.

“I’d like to see the footage from June 15.”

“Sure, no problem. Show me a warrant, and I’ll get the video.”

His eyes darkened. “Innocent people usually cooperate with the authorities.”

Good for them. Sean didn’t like the cop’s tone, hated his smug, superior attitude. Detective Fenton gave off an angry, hostile vibe, and Sean didn’t want to spend another minute in the man’s presence. But he couldn’t kick him out of his restaurant. Not without making an already bad situation worse.

“I’ve got twenty years on the job, and I’m a damn good detective. You know why? Because I trust my instincts, and you know what, Mr. Parker? My instincts are leading me straight to you.”

Sean’s jaw went tight, felt as stiff as barbed wire, and his hands balled into fists at his sides. He’d never punch a cop, no matter how angry he was, but dammit, he was tempted.

“You think you’re above the law because you’re rich, but I have news for you. You’re not,” he snarled. “You started that fire outside of the Ruby Retreat, and I’m going to prove it.”

Rage bubbled up inside him, threatened to consume him. Detective Fenton was trying to intimidate him, trying to throw his weight around, but Sean wasn’t having it. And he wasn’t turning over his security video, either.

He straightened to his full height and stepped forward, looking down at the officer. “This conversation is over,” he said calmly, despite the anger coursing through his veins. “I had nothing to do with the fire at the Belleza, and I resent you implying that I did.”