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asked. Today, he was dressed in a nice blue suit with a blue and gold tie. He looked somehow more stern and intimidating than he had last time—but no flash of gun as he sat down on this occasion.
    “I’m doing well,” she said, nodding.
    “You look better.”
    “She’s got a great nurse,” Hunter said, winking at Kallie.
    “Do you have a nurse coming in then?”
    “I was joking. I’m playing nursemaid right now.”
    The detective raised his eyebrows and didn’t comment on that. Instead, he pulled out his notebook and the digital recorder, setting the black box in the center of the table.
    “Mind if I record again?”
    “Sure,” Kallie said.
    Hunter eyed him. “What’s this all about?” he asked. “If you’re just here to tell us about the investigation, why are you recording?”
    Phillips’s eyes were hard, like pieces of coral. He didn’t waver. “I always like to record any conversations that pertain to ongoing investigations. That way, there’s never any question about what was said. Also, I do have a few more questions to ask.”
    Hunter smirked and gave Kallie a look. “I figured as much.”
    Flipping through his notebook, Phillips began speaking. “I did a lot of legwork yesterday, and managed to find out a few interesting pieces of information.” He looked up at Hunter. “I spoke with Terrence Craven just after leaving here.”
    “You did?” Kallie asked, as the mention of Terrence’s name sent fear spiraling through her body.
    He nodded. “Terrence admitted to coming to your house and seeing Kallie, and having words with her. But he recounts the content of that conversation very differently.”
    “And what does he say happened?”
    “Mister Craven says that he came here because he was afraid that you were holding Scarlett against her will. He says that you’re a dangerous and abusive man, Mister Reardon. In fact, he levels the same charges at you, as what you’ve insisted about him.”
    “This is insane,” Hunter said.
    Kallie was shocked. “You don’t actually believe that, do you? Terrence threatened me—he spit into my car window. I was physically afraid of the man.”
    “But you never called the police and reported it.”
    “I already explained why.”
    “You think she lied about Terrence threatening her? What about Scarlett? Did you call her?” Hunter asked, his voice incredulous.
    The detective seemed unruffled by Hunter’s hostility. “I did. She was reluctant to go into much detail about the matter. She seemed afraid and reluctant to open up about her situation.”
    “I wonder why.” Hunter shook his head and laughed.
    “How long have you been supporting Scarlett financially?” Phillips asked.
    “I hadn’t even seen her in years. Recently, she showed up and begged me to help her. She’d left Terrence and had nothing to her name, and she was afraid. So I let her stay with me for a little while, and then I got her an apartment and security detail.”
    “You’re spending thousands and thousands of dollars on a woman who you claim not to have seen in years.”
    “That’s right.”
    “May I ask what you’re relationship is with her currently? Is it of a romantic nature?”
    “No, it’s not. And I don’t see how questioning me helps you find Levi, the guy who assaulted her. Have you even looked for him?”
    Kallie nodded, her stomach tight with anger. “I have to agree. Why are you interrogating Hunter? We told you who’s responsible.”
    Phillips stood up from his chair and peered over the railing of the terrace.
    Turning back to face them, the detective folded his arms. “I tried to track down Levi, the man who you described as having met at the gym.” Phillips paused, as if trying to phrase things accurately. “I was unable to find any trace of such a person. There was no record of him as having a membership at the gym, and no witnesses have come forward who know him or have ever seen him.”
    Kallie was stunned. “Are you sure?”
    The