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  “And how do you know they still have a relationship?” Devon challenged.

  “I don’t know anything, but I’ve heard rumors.”

  “Didn’t you used to work for Eliot Kane?” Devon was firing on all cylinders today. I definitely liked her. “In fact, weren’t you recently removed from his employ because of your attitude toward Avery, who happens to be his girlfriend?”

  “That is not what happened.” Fawn’s tone was clipped. “I moved on to a better employment opportunity.”

  “Except that I happen to know that’s not true. I’ve had dinner with Eliot and Avery. I know both of them ... and the crap you’re spreading about Sheriff Farrell is not only untrue, it borders on slander.”

  Fawn narrowed her eyes into dangerous slits. “Excuse me? Are you calling me a liar?”

  “I’m saying that we need to embrace facts rather than spreading nonsense.” Devon was firm. “You’ve been casting aspersions on Avery Shaw since this started, yet you have no proof she’s the guilty party.”

  “If she’s not guilty, why is the sheriff’s department focusing on her? Yeah, that’s right.” Fawn turned smug. “I was just upstairs with the sheriff’s deputies and they flat out told me that Avery is their one and only suspect.”

  I wanted to wring her scrawny neck twice for that lie.

  “Really?” Devon didn’t look convinced. “Given the number of people Mr. Ludington has ticked off in the course of his career I would think that list is long and sundry. The politicians alone would take up a single page.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Fawn’s anger was on full display. “No matter what page you look at, Avery is at the top. She’s horrible.”

  “You’ve got that right,” Duncan intoned.

  Fawn shifted her eyes to him, curious. “And who are you?”

  “Duncan Marlow. I’ll be covering Mr. Ludington’s unfortunate shooting for The Monitor because Avery has been removed from the story.”

  Ugh. Why couldn’t he simply keep his mouth shut? Oh, I know. He’s incapable of removing his foot from his mouth long enough to do so.

  “Well, that’s ... lovely.” Fawn flashed a tepid smile. “See. Mr. Marlow here knows Ms. Shaw and he’s obviously convinced she’s guilty.”

  “He didn’t say that,” Jared countered.

  “No, but she’s right,” Duncan volunteered. “I definitely think Avery is guilty. I’ve been convinced she’s in the midst of a mental breakdown for years. What happened with Mr. Ludington yesterday only proves that.

  “Do I know that she’s responsible for shooting him?” he continued. “No. Do I think it’s likely? Unfortunately, there’s nothing else to think.”

  Well, so much for Duncan playing fair. He was now moving up on my list. By the time this was all said and done there would be a line around the block of people I wanted to pay back — and Fawn and Duncan would be at the front of the ass-kicking party.

  I DIDN’T BOTHER TO RETURN the scrubs. I was too overwrought. Instead, I drove to Eliot’s shop.

  “This sucks!” I roared as I stormed through the door. It seemed the understatement of the century, but I had to say something.

  “Are we playing doctor?” Mario asked, confusion lining his round face. “If so, I’ll need a pair of those scrubs too.”

  I shot him a withering look. “What kind of doctor have you been playing? That’s a sexual game and you most certainly don’t play it with your cousin, you freak.”

  “No. I played doctor with you.”

  I was taken aback. “No, you didn’t! I just heard enough lies about me at Fawn’s impromptu hospital news conference. I don’t need to hear more from you.”

  “We did so play doctor,” Mario shot back. “You always lost when trying to get the heart out. You’d touch the tweezers to the walls because you were impatient.”

  Realization dawned. “That’s Operation, you dolt. It’s not the same as playing doctor.”

  Mario didn’t look convinced. “Um ... I think I’ll have to Google that. It’s not that I don’t believe you, but ... well ... I don’t believe you.”

  I stared at him for a beat. “Knock yourself out.” When I turned to Eliot, he was frowning. “Did you hear what I said? This totally sucks.”

  “I heard.” He ran his hand over his cheek, obviously conflicted. “Why are you dressed like that?”

  “It’s a disguise.”

  “Halloween is over.”

  “Like I would wear this for Halloween.” I made a face. “I was a sexy Jason Voorhees for Halloween. This would be a lame costume.”

  “Some people have a dirty nurse fantasy,” Mario offered. “I know, because I’m looking at the proof right now. You should not have let me Google ‘playing doctor’ without warning me about what I would see.”

  “I think common sense would’ve informed that decision, but what do I know?” I turned back to Eliot. “You can’t possibly be mad at me.”

  “Oh, I’m mad.” Eliot folded his arms over his chest, frustration evident. “You obviously just came from the hospital. What were you thinking? I thought Fish gave you another assignment.”

  “He did ... and I followed through.”

  “How much time did you spend on the story?”

  “Enough so that it will garner the attention it deserves when it’s buried seventeen pages in on the weekend. That’s where human interest stories end up. I’m a headliner. I should be on the front page.”

  “Whatever.” Eliot made a face. “You promised me you wouldn’t get involved in this. We’re two hours in and already you’re involved. What is wrong with you?”

  That had to be a trick question. “First, I didn’t promise you anything,” I shot back. “I said that I would try to refrain from getting in further trouble. That’s vastly different from keeping my nose out of things.”

  “Um ... that’s not what I remember. You said you didn’t want to go to jail and would stay out of it.”

  “I think you sometimes hear what you want to hear.”

  “Oh, if that isn’t the pot and kettle ... doing the black thing. I can’t really remember the saying.”

  I wanted to laugh at his discomfort. “You can’t expect me to sit back and do nothing. Fawn held a news conference and essentially declared me guilty ... and that was after she told everyone there that Jake and I were having an affair.” I thought it was best to slip that little tidbit in so he could have a chance to melt down before we headed home. I wanted him to get at least some of his aggression out. Oddly, he didn’t look all that bothered by the statement.

  “Do you think I’m worried about that? I don’t care. It was inevitable that she would go that route. I know you’re not involved with Jake. We live together, for crying out loud. If I didn’t feel I could trust you I would’ve moved on long ago.”

  Whew. That was a relief. “Thanks. That’s kind of sweet.”

  His expression remained dark. “Don’t do that.” He wagged a finger. “Just because I trust you with Jake doesn’t mean I trust you with our future. For crying out loud, Avery, what would’ve happened if you’d been caught hanging around the hospital? Wait ... you weren’t caught, were you?”

  “Of course not.” I was indignant. “I’m fully capable of spying on a news conference without getting caught. Why do you think I’m in this ridiculous outfit?”

  “Because you want to play doctor,” Mario replied, his attention on his computer screen. “With Eliot, I mean, not me.” His eyes were sheepish when he lifted them to meet mine. “Um ... you were right about the ‘playing doctor’ thing. I don’t know how I missed it.”

  “Live and learn.” I rolled my eyes until they landed on Eliot. “I can’t just ignore this. We’ve already discussed it. You knew I couldn’t simply let it go.”

  “I did, but ... I’m afraid.” Eliot opted for truth and the naked emotion on his face was enough to stop me in my tracks. “You were hurt not too long ago.”

  “I’m fine now.”

  “Yes, but I’
m the one who carried you out of that corn maze. I’m the one who sat vigil by your bed. I’m the one who had to wait for the doctors to tell me you were going to be okay. That was a terrifying few hours.”

  “I’m ... sorry.” I felt helpless. “I know what you’ve been through, but I can’t change who I am.”

  “I don’t want you to. I love you. But I also can’t turn off my emotions. It’s going to take some time to put what happened behind me. That’s who I am. I can’t change for you.”

  “I don’t want you to.” I managed a small smile as he pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. He looked beaten down. “We’ll figure this out, Eliot. You have to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

  “See, those are words that chill me to the bone.”

  “They shrivel my manhood,” Mario offered. “Kind of like this photo of the nurse giving the doctor a special colonoscopy. I mean ... that’s just wrong.”

  Eliot ignored him. “I don’t want to change you. I am, however, allowed to be afraid. That’s all there is to it.”

  He wasn’t wrong, so I simply nodded. “We have to come up with a compromise here. I don’t know what it will consist of, but it’s necessary.”

  “We’ll figure it out.” He flashed a smile and then looked over my scrubs. “So ... I know it’s probably tainted by Mario now, but do you want to go in the office and play doctor?”

  “Ugh.” Mario mimed throwing up. “I can’t work here if you’re going to say stuff like that. Now my manhood is hiding like a frightened turtle. I think taking this job was a mistake.”

  8 Eight

  We went into Eliot’s office for our big “discussion” — and a little flirty fun. It wasn’t as if we didn’t know Mario would eavesdrop. It was easier, though, if he wasn’t dropping one-liners in our midst. This was a private conversation.

  “Tell me what happened,” Eliot started when he slipped into his desk chair.

  Rather than take one of the open seats across from him I opted to pace as I laid things out. When I’d finished his expression was hard to read. I expected outrage, but he was mired in quiet contemplation instead.

  “Fawn is pushing the narrative that you’re a potential killer hard and yet she’s not pointing fingers at me. Why?”

  He was a smart guy, but occasionally he couldn’t see what was directly in front of him. “Because she thinks she’s in love with you.”

  He snorted ... and then frowned. “No way.”

  “Oh, come on. Have you not watched what’s been going on here the past year? She hates me to the point of craziness. That’s more than just a personality disconnect. She hates me because of you.”

  “I can’t believe that.” He adamantly shook his head. “I never gave her any indication that I would ever return those feelings.”

  He was so earnest I took pity on him. “If I thought otherwise we wouldn’t be living together. I happen to trust you.”

  He smiled. “We’re quite the couple.” He heaved out a sigh. “Well, where do you want to start? If we’re going to find answers we’re going to need to dig ... and we need to be careful about it. If the sheriff’s department finds out what we’re doing there’ll be hell to pay.”

  “Speaking of that, have you seen the detective they’re sending? Supposedly it’s someone in the detective bureau who absolutely hates me. Jake purposely assigned him.”

  “You know why, right? Jake assigned it to him because he can’t appear biased. Look what happened at that news conference today. He’s already getting flak and he wasn’t even there. He has to do what he can to protect the integrity of his department.”

  “And screw us in the process,” I muttered.

  “No.” Eliot shook his head, firm. “Believe it or not, he’s trying to protect you. By assigning a detective who is known to hate you, nobody can argue that he’s giving you special treatment. That was a smart move on his part.”

  “Then why does it feel like an attack?”

  “Because you’re you.”

  “I happen to like me.”

  His grin was lightning quick. “I happen to like you too. That doesn’t change the fact that we’re in deep here. It’s only a matter of time before we’re formally questioned. Have you talked to your lawyer yet?”

  “I left a message but haven’t heard back. Maybe we’ll luck out and dodge the douche detective all day.”

  “Yes, because we have that sort of luck. I ... .” He broke off and looked to the door. “What is it, Mario?”

  My cousin, normally gregarious and impossible to shut up, looked decidedly uncomfortable. “Three sheriff’s department cars just pulled up outside.”

  My heart plummeted to my stomach. “Well ... great.”

  Eliot got to his feet and moved next to Mario, craning his neck to look through the front window. “They’re definitely here for us.” His eyes were soft when they landed on mine. “It’s going to be okay.”

  “I don’t have a lawyer yet.”

  “Then you can borrow mine for the time being.” He tugged his phone from his pocket and tapped a contact name as he slid his arm around my neck. “We’re not answering any questions until Brian gets here.”

  I pressed my lips together and nodded. If I had my way, I would’ve fled out the back door and made the sheriff’s department keep looking. Eliot was more upfront when it came to stuff like this. He wouldn’t allow me to give in to my baser urges, his only drawback as a boyfriend.

  “What should I tell them?” Mario asked. He looked a bit pale, obviously out of his element.

  “Tell them we’re waiting for our attorney and will be with them shortly.”

  “Okay. You’re the boss.”

  BY THE TIME BRIAN GALLAGHER ARRIVED I was a bundle of nerves. Eliot tried talking me down but when overtaken by a mood of self-doubt there was often very little that could be done to calm me. This was one of those times.

  “Ms. Shaw, sit down,” Brian ordered, gesturing toward the chair that had been moved to Eliot’s side of the desk. “That’s your spot.”

  I glared at him. I was familiar with his work thanks to the times I’d covered the court beat. He was considered a shark. I found him smarmy. He also had a sterling track record, and that’s what most interested us today. “Fine.” I threw myself in the chair and folded my arms over my chest. “Happy?”

  “No. You need to improve your body language. Sit up straight. Don’t look worried. Act as if this is an inconvenience and nothing more.”

  That was easier said than done. “Let’s just get this over with.”

  “Certainly.” He moved toward the door, which he’d closed when he’d breezed into the store without as much as acknowledging the sheriff’s deputies. “Gentlemen, we’re ready for you.”

  Edgar Stephenson’s (I really should’ve known it would be him) eyes gleamed when he finally managed to close the distance between us. He’d caught my eye several times while we’d waited for Brian to show up, but the warning looks Eliot kept shooting him were enough to keep him at arm’s length. That comfortable distance was now gone. All that was left was his attitude and my annoyance that I had to deal with any of this.

  “Please be seated.” Brian indicated the two open chairs across from the desk. “I’ll be advising my clients on what questions they can and cannot answer. If you have a problem with that, we can end this interview now.”

  “I didn’t say I have a problem with that.” Stephenson took the first chair, leaving the second for his partner, a detective I recognized by face if not name. The other two uniformed deputies they’d brought with them remained in the shop with Mario.

  “Don’t worry about them,” the second detective offered. “They’re just here as back-up. I’m Detective Eric Barnes, by the way. I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time.”

  That sounded ominous. “Oh, yeah?” I did my best to appear calm and collected. “Why is that?”

  “You have quite the reputation. Derrick talks about you constantly.”

&n
bsp; I was caught off guard. “Oh, well ... .”

  “Not in a good way,” Stephenson countered, his eyes gleaming. “He never has anything good to say about you.”

  Rather than respond, I ran my tongue over my teeth and attempted to get comfortable in my chair. I was fidgety, something I really didn’t like.

  “Let’s just get this over with,” Eliot suggested, reaching over to gather my hand. He was trying to soothe me the best he could manage given the circumstances. I appreciated the effort, but it made me feel like a bit of a girl.

  “Fine.” Stephenson nodded once. “I’m sure you’re aware by now that Tad Ludington was shot in his home and left for dead last evening. I had hoped to inform you of that tragedy myself, but you’d already left your domicile when I attempted to make contact this morning.”

  “We both had early days at work,” Eliot replied. “I didn’t realize that was a crime.”

  “I didn’t say it was a crime.” Stephenson flashed one of those thin-lipped smiles that made me want to regularly punch him in the face. I still wasn’t sure how he’d ended up in the detective bureau. His disciplinary record wasn’t great, and as far as I could tell he was a liability to the department. Jake obviously didn’t see it that way.

  “Why don’t you just get to the point?” Brian prodded. “My clients are busy individuals. They don’t have all day.”

  “Oh, no? I would’ve thought Ms. Shaw had nothing but time now that she’s been banned from covering the attack on Mr. Ludington.”

  “That’s on top of the election,” Barnes offered helpfully. “She can’t cover that either.”

  “No,” I agreed. “I have been put on the fascinating and timeless human interest beat. It’s not as if I’m not working.”

  “I hadn’t realized you had any human interests.” Stephenson cracked a smile that didn’t make it all the way to his eyes. No, those brown orbs were predatory ... and they made me shudder.