Eternal Knight (Guardians of Camelot #4) - Victoria Sue Page 0,2

wish to see,” Gawain added. “I can also give you the names of our accountants and attorneys.” It wasn’t the time or place, but Gawain was proud of what they did with the business. For years it had just been a cover, but helping people to help themselves was satisfying on a level not many were lucky enough to experience.

The detective nodded and turned to Roxy. “This is a casual conversation, you understand, but obviously with the events of Saturday and your disappearance after the incident in the Battery Tunnel, we have some questions which will determine whether we need an official one.”

Roxy sighed and took Ali’s hand. The detective noticed, but his face remained impassive. “I already said I was getting ready to retire. The incident brought it home to me very starkly how short life really is, so I’ve moved in with my partner. We haven’t decided to sell or rent my apartment yet, but I let the management company know it is vacant at the moment, and I haven’t hidden any of that. I already have a PO box, so that doesn’t need to change. My sister certainly knows, but apart from canceling any outstanding work, it’s no one else’s business. Certainly not the public’s.”

The detective nodded. “And you were out for a walk?”

Roxy scoffed. “I train, and just because I’m retiring doesn’t mean I’ve decided to alter my fitness regime, and it’s safer in a group when the park is usually nearly empty. I can’t go to the regular gyms, and I accompanied my friends, one of whom is a Silat trainer.”

Gawain saw the detective pause and bet he was wondering what Silat was. Gawain had never heard of it before Charles came either.

“We have some accounts of sword fighting.”

Gawain wasn’t sure how the detective could even keep a straight face to ask the question, and Roxy laughed incredulously. “You have got to be kidding me.” All the swords were in the cabinet, and he knew Mel could make sure it was hidden. If he’d managed it with a car when they had been trying to avoid the cops, he could manage a piece of furniture. The detective didn’t join in her laughter though.

“And you heard the screams?”

Roxy nodded. “It was chaos. We heard it as soon as we got out of the car, and Charles”—Roxy gestured at Charles—“my trainer, my friends, and I went to help.”

The detective leaned forward. “And what did you see?”

“This idiot firing a gun at people. Guests screaming. People running to get away.”

“Mr. Sandaval insists he was firing at you. That you were attacking people.”

Roxy scoffed. “In the open? My face is recognizable, Detective. If I was involved in some nefarious terrorist group, don’t you think I would have kept it covered?”

“But surely the other guests are confirming Roxy’s story?” Charles interrupted. “Have you detained the idiot with the gun?” Charles just managed to put enough righteous indignation in his voice to make it sound credible.

“Mr. Sandaval is a bodyguard with a previously unblemished reputation.”

“So, he’s trying to save his ass,” Kay muttered loud enough for the detective to hear.

Detective Aarons’s face was impassible.

“The only thing I was guilty of was not sticking around to have people ask idiotic questions,” Roxy said firmly. “My name and face are well-known as you know.”

The detective smiled and then for some reason looked at Lucan.

“How long have you lived in this country, Mr. Saeed?”

Lucan’s eyebrows rose. “I came here as a baby. My parents were refugees and died shortly after my third birthday.”

Gawain could have recited all their cover stories if he had to. He’d invented them and provided all the necessary documents. It wasn’t their first rodeo. The other detective came back in the room then, and Detective Aarons stood, eyeing Lucan.

“I saw the Ariel Cyclone outside. Is it the ’58?”

Gawain smiled. It was such an obvious attempt to get Lucan on his own it was laughable, but Lucan went with the detective willingly. Detective Hanraghan took over where Detective Aarons had finished, and she started asking exactly who else was in the car. Lucan met Gawain’s eyes, and Gawain took the hint and trailed after them. He knew Lucan was going to try and convince the detective he was mistaken and wanted some backup in case. He also knew the detective would take Gawain as one of the least threatening. If Lance had followed them out, the detective would have been on guard.

Detective Aarons dutifully admired the bike and showed he had