Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Zeke reared back. “You have no right to get in my way.”
That’s where he was wrong. Dead wrong. “I don’t know a lot about psychopaths or sociopaths or narcissists or whatever label fits you, Pastor.” Huck leaned in, staring down at the shorter man. “But I know they all end up where they belong. You want to watch yourself.”
With that, he turned his back on Zeke and walked around his truck to slide into his seat. He ignited the engine and pulled out onto the main road as Zeke Caine watched them go.
“Did you get that off your chest?” Laurel asked somewhat dryly.
“Hey, I didn’t punch him,” Huck noted. “I’ll take that as a win.”
She chuckled.
His phone buzzed, and he hit a button on the dash. “Captain Rivers,” he said.
“What the holy fuck is going on in Genesis Valley?” Deputy Chief Mert Wright yelled.
Laurel winced.
Huck sighed. “I take it you saw The Killing Hour?”
“Saw it? Did I see it?” Wright yelled. “I’ve had fifteen different people send me links. You do realize you were taken off this case? Because you’re a possible suspect?”
Huck’s jaw tightened. “Of course I realize that. I’m not involved in the slightest.”
“The FBI agent you’re currently banging is involved,” Wright snapped.
Huck stiffened. “You’re going to want to watch your words, Deputy Chief.”
“Excuse me?” Wright asked.
“I believe you heard me. Agent Snow has done nothing wrong, and you will speak of her with respect.”
Silence ticked over the line for a moment. “Or what?” Wright snapped.
Huck’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he forced them to relax. No way was he letting this jackass upset him. “Or you and I are going to have a little talk, man to man. I don’t give a shit about your position within Fish and Wildlife.”
He meant every word. If he needed to find another job, then he would, but nobody was going to insult Laurel like that.
She punched him in the arm, and he cut her a look. He was a pretty flexible guy, at least in his own mind, but there were some lines that weren’t to be crossed. Wright was real close to stepping over.
Wright cleared his throat. “Captain Rivers, you are officially on notice that you are to go nowhere near this case, or I’ll have you arrested for hindering an investigation. You are on leave from Fish and Wildlife. Period. Next week, you’ll be interviewed again by me.”
Huck turned toward the square in front of Center Diner. Laurel had to be hungry, and he could eat as well. “Is that all?”
“You will be interviewed Monday. Make yourself available.” Wright ended the call.
Laurel sat back and pressed her head against the headrest, her eyes closing. “You can’t come with me tomorrow to Santa Fe.”
“Yes, I can. I’m going, and that’s it.”
Laurel looked tired. “I think you should hire an attorney before you meet with anybody else. You are a suspect at this point, albeit a weak one. Rachel did a fairly decent job of connecting the dots.”
“I noticed,” Huck said dryly. “I wish Zeke Caine was a viable suspect, but he has a good alibi for Teri Bearing’s murder.”
Laurel nodded. “I agree. I found Uma Carrington to be a credible witness, and I believe the alibi she provided.”
“What about Abigail?” he asked hopefully. “She’s crazy. I can see her killing these people just to mess with our lives.”
Laurel kicked out her feet toward the heater. “I could see her playing that kind of game, but it seems like a lot of effort.” She placed her phone on the dash and called Agent Norrs on speaker phone.
“Hi, Agent Snow,” Agent Norrs said. “I’m wrapping up my cases and will head in your direction to help as soon as I can. We’re short staffed here as well.”
She swallowed. “I’m sorry, but for my own peace of mind, I need to ask you a couple of questions.”
He fell silent for a moment. “Okay. Go ahead.”
She tapped her fingers on her leg. “The night that Delta Rivers was killed. On the night of the thirty-first. Do you know where Abigail was?”
“Why?”
Laurel kept still as Huck watched her. “Please just answer the question.”
“Fine. Just a sec.” The sound of keys typing came through the line. “Oh, yeah. That was the night Abi and I went to Wicked in Seattle. Great show. Have you seen it?”
Laurel’s shoulders slowly lowered. “Yes. I enjoyed the alternate concept of the Wizard of Oz.”
He chuckled. “We went out to a nice dinner, saw the musical, and then stayed the night at my place. In fact, we took half of Monday off and watched movies in bed.” Then he stopped laughing. “Does that ease your mind?”
Laurel appeared relieved. “Yes. Thank you.”
Huck and Laurel had seen Abigail with Norrs the night Teri Bearing had disappeared.
“I look forward to working with you,” she said. “Have a nice day.”