Heat of Passion. Pamela Yaye

hand to her hip.

      “Leave everything to me. I’ll take care of it.” Sean dropped the sample menu on the counter and stuffed it under the stack of mail he planned to shred. “Did you email the press release I wrote for the media?”

      “Yes, and I printed off the updated reservation list, as well. Seventy percent of the dining room is booked for our grand opening, and the cast of Ex on the Beach will be here filming that night, too,” she said. “I also created a Facebook page for the SP Grill. I hope that’s okay.”

      “That’s great, Jolene. Keep up the good work.”

      A smile brightened her round face. “Thanks, boss. I’m going to go work on the staff schedule, but if you need me, just holler.”

      His assistant manager exited the kitchen, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Sean wanted to call Robyn back to check up on her, but since he didn’t want her to think he was needy, he finished reading his mail, then helped himself to leftovers from the fridge. He’d made lunch for his staff after the orientation session but had been too busy answering questions to eat, and now his stomach was growling so loud he was sure Jolene could hear it in the back office.

      As Sean ate, he mentally reviewed his schedule for the rest of the week. He was off tomorrow, and if everything went according to plan, he’d be spending the day with Robyn. The thought made him grin from ear to ear. He could hardly wait. Before yesterday, he hadn’t seen her in months, but he planned to make up for lost time. They’d have breakfast at his house, then head to the beach.

      Past conversations with his dad, about love and relationships, played in his mind. Sean scratched his head, tried to recall everything his old man had told him about women. What was it he used to say? “Treat a woman like a queen, and you’ll always have her heart.” With that thought in mind, Sean picked up his cell phone and accessed the internet. He was perusing the Cartier website, searching for the perfect gift for Robyn, when he heard footsteps pounding on the hardwood floor of the dining room. Sean didn’t see anyone, but he heard a male voice calling his name and rose to his feet.

      Entering the dining room, he searched around for the unexpected visitor with the gruff voice and strong-smelling aftershave. Sean was surprised to find a short heavyset man with tinted glasses, scoping out the bar. “Can I help you?” he asked, giving the stranger the once-over. There was something familiar about the balding, middle-aged man, but Sean couldn’t place his face.

      “I’m Detective Fenton from the Belleza Police Department.”

      Damn. It was the detective who’d called yesterday while he was having lunch with Robyn, then again when he was at the gym. Why wouldn’t he leave him alone? He had nothing to do with the fire or any of the unfortunate mishaps at the Belleza. He produced a leather wallet, flashed a shiny gold badge and stuffed it into his back pocket. “Are you Sean Parker?”

      “Yes, I am. What can I do for you, officer?”

      “There was a fire at your family’s resort on the afternoon of June 15, and if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you some questions about the incident.”

      Sean kept his mouth shut, didn’t speak. The less he said the better. He watched crime TV; he knew what was up. He had the right to remain silent and would exercise that right if the detective was disrespectful.

      “Were you at the resort on the day in question?”

      Shaking his head, he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the bar.

      “A security guard said he spotted you on the grounds around noon.”

      Sean spoke through clenched teeth. “He’s lying.”

      “Is your father lying, too?” Detective Fenton took a notebook out of his pocket, flipped it open and scanned the first page. “Your dad says you’re angry at him for awarding control of the resort to your younger sister, Kimberly, and that you’re out for revenge.”

      Sean coughed, but the lump in his throat remained. He was shocked, crushed that his dad thought so little of him. It tore Sean up inside, but he didn’t share his feelings with the detective. He kept his voice calm when he spoke. “I was here, at the SP Grill, all day.”

      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.”