Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Bella moved around Sabrina and Sawyer, growling.
That fucker actually pointed a gun at their dog. “Call her off, Sawyer. We’re not playing around. We know exactly who he is, and he’s going to pay for his crimes. You’re lucky we’re not taking you in, too. I think you’re probably an accessory after the fact. If not before.”
“He knows nothing.” Bella came to stand at Wyatt’s side, her stare wary on the intruders. She was a sweet baby but she knew how to protect the people she loved. And so did Wyatt. There was a time to fight and a time to call the battle.
“Bella, go to Sawyer.” Wyatt took a deep breath as he held up his hands. “No one’s going to give you any trouble. There’s no reason to hurt our dog.”
Marshall huffed. “Do you think we want to hurt a dog? We don’t, man, but we also can’t let you pretend to be a good guy. I’ve seen the evidence. You’re going to drag Sabrina down with you, and I won’t let it happen. Even if she can’t care about us. It doesn’t matter. I’m not letting a woman like Sabrina get involved with a murderer if I can help it.”
“You can help it.” Sabrina’s tone had gone even, the panic from before shoved down. It allowed Sawyer to let her elbow go so he could reach for Bella’s collar. “You don’t have to do this. There is an explanation. Wyatt didn’t kill anyone.”
“That’s not what the Colorado Bureau of Investigation says.” Knox stood tall, his jaw going tight. “We didn’t make shit up. The CBI investigator brought us the evidence, and our bosses in Creede gave us the go ahead to bring you in.”
“Creede?” Sawyer asked. “Why would the CBI go to Creede? Bliss is the nearest town.”
“You’re on unincorporated land,” Marshall explained. “CBI decided they would rather work with Creede than Bliss. Nate has a reputation for being difficult.”
“Nate has a reputation for being thorough,” Sabrina pointed out. “From what my sister tells me he doesn’t allow other authorities to walk in and do whatever they want. Did he show you a warrant? Because I would like to see it.”
“I don’t have to see it. He’s CBI. His credentials check out,” Knox shot back. “Unlike Wright, I trust my fellow officers.”
“Because no law enforcement officer ever went bad,” Sawyer said with a shake of his head. “You know this is wrong. Even if we’re unincorporated, agencies still coordinate with local law enforcement, and it’s not the town a good thirty minutes away. Something is wrong and you can feel it. This is a setup.”
“At least take him to Bliss. Lock him up at the station house and let us figure this out.” Sabrina sounded so reasonable.
This wasn’t a situation where reason would win out. The deputies were too far in at this point. They believed they were saving Sabrina from the big bad wolf, and anything challenging their perceptions would be ruthlessly thrust aside. They thought they were being heroes.
Knox actually seemed to think about it for a moment, but then he shook his head. “No. You feel free to call Nate, but we have a job to do and we’re not taking any more time. Wyatt Kemp, you have the right to remain silent.”
Sawyer kept a hold of Bella’s collar when she started to try to get to Wyatt.
He couldn’t hold back Sabrina. She walked right up to him, throwing her arms around him like she could keep him there.
“I’ll get you out,” she whispered. “I love you.”
He was worried there might not be a chance to “get him out.” If he thought they would simply take him to a jail cell and let the justice system deal with him, he would go easily. But someone would be waiting for him there in Creede. Or Colorado Springs.
“Sabrina, don’t make this hard on us,” Marshall warned.
She turned, her eyes going steely. “Hard on you? You have no idea how hard I’m going to make this on you, Deputy. Can’t take a no, can you? I owe you something because you thought I was halfway pretty and willing to give you some attention? I didn’t owe you anything, but now I do. Now I owe you, Deputy, and I assure you I will make those payments one way or another. Watch your fucking back.”
“She doesn’t mean it.” The last thing he wanted was to get Sabrina mixed up in this. It was everything he’d feared. After the first couple of days, he hadn’t truly worried she would walk away from him. He worried she would defend him and die in the process.
“Yeah, she does, and so do I,” Sawyer said grimly. “You know this is wrong. You know Nate should be handling this. This is fucked up, and you’re playing into their hands.”