Chapter 21 #2
“Garrett and Mitch worked together for years, by his own admission. The man who committed these murders also used a boat in order to gain access to my cabin and shoot at me. After spending six years in prison for rape and stalking, I doubt Mitch has the cash to purchase a boat. It’s more likely he stole it, and I’d like to know if it was Garrett’s he took. ”
“It’s all right, Paul.” Garrett shook off his lawyer’s restraining hand. “I want to help.” He fixed his attention on Laney and nodded solemnly. “Yes, I have a small fishing dinghy that is stored on the lake in a cove. I’ve had it for years, and Mitch knows about it.”
Jonah read between the lines. Garrett was keeping the boat illegally in the cove. But had he taken it out this morning, or had Mitch? He stepped forward. “Where were you today?”
“Again, we’re getting into areas—”
He slammed his hands down on the table. “Four people are dead, counselor. Two of them were Garrett’s friends. Supposedly.” He shifted his glare toward Garrett. “Don’t you want to help us capture the killer who murdered your friends? Or are you so heartless you don’t care?”
“Of course I care!” Garrett’s own temper flared as his cheeks heated.
Laney laid a hand on Jonah’s arm. Her touch was so familiar, and yet never failed to grab his attention. “Please, Jonah. Back off. Your accusations are unwarranted.”
He jerked away from her to prowl the room, and Laney offered an apologetic smile to Garrett and Paul.
“I’m so sorry. He’s very protective, and this morning was rattling for us both.
” She turned toward Garrett. “It would help a lot if you could confirm your whereabouts this morning, as well as for the times of the murders.”
“My client has already informed you he was home alone during both murders.” Paul sniffed.
“Of course. I forgot.” Laney tapped her head as if she was dense. “And this morning?”
His lawyer attempted to prevent him from answering, but Garrett waved away the advice. “I was hiking in the woods near Bear Creek. This entire thing…” He swallowed hard. “Nolan and Lisa’s murders…they were a shock. I haven’t processed it all yet and needed some time to be alone and grieve.”
“That’s understandable.” Laney tilted her head. “Bear Creek is pretty close to the second location you pointed out that Mitch could be using as a hideaway. Did you see him out that way?”
“No.” Garrett’s gaze narrowed, as if he was realizing that maybe Laney wasn’t on his side after all. “Like I said, the last time I saw Mitch was two weeks ago.”
“And now, I must insist we bring this interview to an end,” Paul interjected. “My client is tired and grief-stricken.”
Jonah nearly snorted at that. Garrett didn’t look the least bit grief-stricken. But as the two men rose, Laney extended her hand toward Garrett. “Thank you so much for your help today. And I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Garrett stared at her for a long moment, his giant hand holding her small, and more delicate one, for several seconds longer than was polite.
Jonah mashed his teeth together to keep from crossing the room and tearing Garrett's hand away from Laney's. His dislike of the man was visceral and immediate. He’d dealt with plenty of arrogant, boundary-crossing men in his career, but something about the way Garrett looked at Laney—like she was property to be claimed—made his blood boil.
Garrett and his attorney left the room. Jonah joined Laney in the hall to watch them cross the bullpen and exit into the parking lot.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“Garrett fits the profile. He knew Nolan and Lisa, and harassed Ava. He doesn’t have an alibi for any of the attacks. He’s definitely fascinated by you, and he has a boat. It all fits.”
“Almost too perfectly,” she murmured. “And how does Mitch fit into all of this?”
“He could be illegally camping in the park, hiding out from the police, and have nothing to do with the murders.”
“True.”
They were standing in a crowded sheriff’s department, so taking her hand or embracing her would have been inappropriate. Still, Jonah needed to touch her. He extended his pinky, brushing against the soft curve of her palm. “You were amazing.”
“We were amazing.” Her lips quirked. “You snarled and mashed your teeth so well I worried you might break a molar during the interview.”
“I didn’t like Garrett being near you,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I almost tore his hand off his body when he wouldn’t let go of you there at the end.”
“Good thing you didn’t,” Laney replied, but then she turned her head and her breath hitched as their gazes met.
Their pinkies were now twisted together, the touch so minor, and yet…
Jonah felt it right down to his bones. And when Laney’s gaze dropped to his mouth, it took serious restraint to stop himself from leaning forward and brushing a kiss on her gorgeous lips.
He had to hold steady. Be patient. Have faith.
It wasn’t easy. The signals she was giving out were mixed, and at some point, they needed to address it. But Jonah would give her the space and time to sort through things.
She was worth it.
The door to the viewing room opened, and Chief Deputy Williams stormed out, quickly followed by Tate and Ryker. All of them wore grim and worried expressions.
Jonah’s muscles tightened. “What is it?”
The deputy chief came to stop in front of them. “I just got a call from dispatch.” Her gaze shifted to Laney. “There’s been an incident at your sister’s house.”