Master of Submission [Masters of Submission 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Jan Bowles Page A

appreciate that, Sir, but this is a murder investigation.”
    “I know that. We both know that. We’re well aware of the implications.” Zane cupped her chin, and she looked at him through teary eyes. “I’m here for as long as you need me, baby.” Even though her body shook uncontrollably, Emma nodded, and bravely forced a weak smile. Zane tenderly placed a palm to her cheek and held her face against his chest. Even he looked sad. He continued speaking, “Look, officer, just five minutes, that’s all I ask. We’re not going anywhere.”
    Kathy Rochelle placed a hand on Emma’s shoulder. “My office is just down the hall. Perhaps you’d like some time to gather your thoughts in private.”
    “Thank you. You’re a very kind lady,” Emma whispered.
    “Think nothing of it. One last thing, I’ll need to take your DNA for elimination purposes. It’s routine procedure, and nothing to concern yourself with. If you follow me, I’ll show you the way.”
    Kathy Rochelle led them to her office. “Take as much time as you need.”
    Zane sat on a chair and pulled Emma onto his lap. He stroked her hair as she laid her head against his chest. “That’s it, baby. Lean on me.” He feathered the golden strands from her face. “That’s a tough thing to witness. You’re one brave lady.”
    “It was her, wasn’t it?” She needed to know she hadn’t made a mistake.
    “Without a doubt. I remembered the tattoo on her wrist.”
    “I’ve seen photographs of dead bodies in my work as a lawyer. But somehow, it’s completely different when you see one for real. Especially when it’s someone you know and love. Just seeing Chloe lying there, so cold and alone, made me understand how fleeting life can be.”
    Detective Mitchell cleared his throat and entered the small office. “Zane Anders, I have reason to believe you know the deceased, too.”
    Zane sighed resignedly. “I was wondering how long it would take you cops to figure that one out. For the record, yeah. I knew Chloe or Giselle as she was called. To my knowledge she first visited Club Submission about two years ago.”
    “So when was the last time you saw her?”
    Zane grimaced and massaged the back of his neck. “About two weeks ago, I guess. As I said, she was known around the place as Giselle. I only discovered yesterday that her real name was Chloe.”
    The tenacious detective turned his attention to Emma. “Ma’am, it would help our inquiries if you could tell me why you’ve been living in Chloe Watts’s apartment.”
    Emma knew where this was going, and she didn’t like the implications one little bit. “There’s nothing sinister about my relationship with Chloe, Detective Mitchell. She and I were in the process of setting up a law firm together right here in Boston. She invited me to move in with her while final arrangements were being made. My arrival here in the US was planned months before she even went missing. Chloe had a key cut for me so I could come and go as I wished. When I arrived—”
    Zane interrupted. “Don’t say any more, Emma. The cops will twist whatever information you give them. They’ll put two and two together and make five.”
    As a lawyer, Emma knew Zane was speaking sense. She really should insist on legal representation for herself, but for some stupid, illogical reason, she wanted to get her feelings and emotions out in the open.
    “No, Zane, let me speak. I want to have my say.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “Detective Mitchell, I can assure you that when I arrived, Chloe was nowhere to be seen.”
    “And you expect me to believe that, Ms. Parkes.” The way this homicide cop eyed her up, left her in no doubt she was a suspect. Maybe even the prime suspect.
    “I don’t give a damn what you believe, Detective. I have nothing to hide. All my personal possessions are being shipped across from Britain as we speak.” The furniture from her flat back in England had all been carefully loaded into