CHAPTER THREE

It had been a month. Imogen was back in LA and, while her memories of Mark hadn't exactly faded, she'd accepted them as something that had finished. She was back in her flat, back at her job. And it wasn't even as though there was anything unsatisfying or boring about that. Her work challenged her and she was good at it. Her personal life…well, that could wait.

She'd just come home from work when she heard an alert on her laptop. Although Imogen just wanted to sink onto the sofa and have a rest, her curiosity stopped her from doing so. She went over to the screen but stopped in her tracks when she saw she had a video call from Paige, wondering what she knew. She gathered herself, telling herself it would be silly to make assumptions, and pressed the answer button.

She was greeted with the sight of Paige looking rather teary-eyed. "Paige, what's wrong?"Imogen asked.

Paige sniffed. "Mark and I have broken up."

Imogen felt a touch of guilt, even as she tried to tell herself it was nothing to do with her. "What…why? I thought you were doing okay."

"I don't know,"Paige sighed. "You heard us arguing…"

"Yeah, yeah, I did,"Imogen admitted.

"But these last few weeks, I thought we were getting on better. But then he said it wasn't working."

"So what, are you moving out?"

Paige wiped her eyes. "Mark's gone away for a bit. Something to do with a case. I'll probably call Mum and Dad and arrange to go back to Perth."

"Are you okay, do you want to talk?"

"Piper's coming over, I think I'm going to stay with her and Tyler for a bit. I just thought you should know."

Imogen nodded. "Okay, well, call me if you need anything." She waited until Paige broke the connection, then sat down in front of her desk, not sure what to think. She felt sorry for Paige, but the thought kept crossing her mind that now she was single and Mark was single.

She did her best to dismiss the thought. It didn't mean anything to her situation. He was thousands of miles away and she had her own life to lead. That was what she had to focus on now.

Imogen spent the next two days doing her best not to think about the situation unfolding back home. It was fairly easy when she was at work. There was always something to occupy her. The long evenings at home were a bit more of a challenge, to the point that she'd started taking as much work home with her as possible. Which is why she was grateful to be heading into work that morning. There would be plenty there to take her mind off things.

Her department head, Frances, spotted her as soon as she reached her desk. "Don't get too settled, Imogen. I need you to get down the precinct."

This was exactly what she'd been hoping for. "What's the case?"she asked.

"Allegation of smuggling. The police have been carrying out a long-term international investigation into drug smuggling. A private courier plane came into the airport last night and police found drugs hidden behind panels onboard. The pilot's denying all knowledge."

Imogen nodded. "Do you have any more details?"

"Not much. I'll text you the contact and client details while you're on the way."

Imogen arrived at the station and explained who she was. She was allowed through into the custody area and a few moments later was greeted by a familiar face, Detective Malcolm Spiro. "Miss Willis. You're representing Kevin Durant?"

"That's right,"Imogen confirmed. "What's he said so far?"

"Not much. Denied knowing the drugs were there and then refused to say any more without legal representation."

Imogen nodded. "I'd like to speak with him alone first."

"Of course." Spiro looked round as another man emerged into the area. Imogen turned to the newcomer and her heart skipped a beat. "Oh, yes. This is the officer handling the Australian end of the investigation. Detective Mark Brennan."