Chapter 29
Kade
By the time we get back, it’s too late to haul ass to Burlington. Frustrated but wiped out, we crash for the night and wait till morning to hand over the evidence.
Still buzzing from last night, Bree and I sit thigh-to-thigh in Hunt’s new Burlington office. Under the table, Becca yawns with her head on my foot.
“You could’ve been killed. Why didn’t you call me?” My brother-in-law stops in front of his desk, raking a hand through his hair.
I snap off my coffee’s plastic lid, inhale the bitter brew, then exhale.
“First off, you’d have insisted on backup, paperwork.
Your boss’s approval, as well. While all that was happening, Griffin would’ve gotten wind.
For obvious reasons, I don’t trust him. Besides, it was a Hail Mary—I honestly didn’t think we’d find anything. ”
My sister’s husband plants his palms on the wood, easing out a long sigh. “I’m not sure we can even use the slug as evidence.”
The dark circles under his eyes say the pressure is getting to him, so I cut him some slack. “Tagged—bagged. Photos, GPS coordinates, timestamp. Chain of custody’s intact. County Sheriff, remember?”
“Right. Sorry. I keep forgetting.” Wincing, he takes his focus off me and lowers into a chair across from Briana. “I still don’t understand why you ran off without your weapon.”
“Fight or flight. I chose the latter.” No twitch. No blink. She meets his gaze head-on.
“Huh. You’re believable, I’ll give you that. Not sure a jury will buy it.”
I flinch. That one lands hard. He’s so certain a trial is in our future, my gut twists.
Briana hears it, too. “If the FBI can link the gun to some other murder, why would the DA come after me?”
“Diego Carmine had no motive. You, on the other hand—Jilted woman kills ex? Which would you pick?” He’s pushing her too hard.
Eyes ablaze, she bolts to her feet. “So what? I clam up and plead guilty? Get fitted for an orange jumpsuit?”
“Calm down, babe.” Jumping up, my arm slips around her waist. “He’s only trying to help.”
“Well, he’s not.” Her glare could cut steel. “Why aren’t you out there, searching for him?”
“The State Police have over a dozen men looking.” His flat, hollow tone lacks conviction.
What is he not telling us?
“Did you at least close the trail to hikers?” And there she is—still thinking of others as her own life is in jeopardy.
Scott shakes his head. “Not my call. As per the Vermont governor a few hours ago, unless there’s an active shooter, it stays open. We did post warnings.”
Spine stiff, she strides toward the door. “Well, if there’s nothing else, Special Agent Hunter, we’ll be going.”
As I hold the door for her, I shoot him an apologetic shrug over my shoulder. “I’ll be in touch. Let us know when ballistics gets back to you.”
Distracted by his phone, he shouts to our backs, “Stay off the trails. Both of you.”
Like that’s going to happen.
I grunt and shut the door solidly behind us.