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“No shame in that. What a generous heart you have,” Willow tossed over her shoulder.
“Too generous. I’m old enough to recognise a scam. My sister is dead, and he claimed he’d been one of her favourite nephews. But some of the stories he told didn’t ring true. Still, I wanted a link with my sister.”
“How did she die?” Willow questioned, and Grey knew where her mind had gone. They were both wondering if Mrs Winsett’s sister had been targeted.
“A home invasion. She was beaten and shot. It’s why I took Lamar in. It was a connection to her,” Mrs Winsett replied.
“What was her name?” Willow asked as Lamar began shouting threats. Willow rapped him on the head with her gun.
Mrs Winsett paled further. “Agnes Stockton.”
Grey closed his eyes.
Agnes was one of Lamar’s victims, and it explained how he’d found Mrs Winsett. This wasn’t a random job. He wondered how the hell they’d missed this. It was Basics 101. Always question the victim’s family, even if estranged.
“Did the FBI not speak to you?” Grey asked.
“Oh yes. A year ago, when Agnes was killed… but I couldn’t help much. I barely knew anything about her life. We fell out when I married my husband. He was a working guy, and Agnes declared I’d wed beneath my status. However, my darling Bill worked hard and built up a healthy construction business. Our son runs it now,” Mrs Winsett replied.
“Mrs Winsett, I don’t know how to tell you this, but that man was involved in Agnes’s death. I am afraid to say,” Grey informed her gently.
Mrs Winsett went paler than before and took a large sip of the brandy Higgins had brought her. Before she could speak, police stormed in, shouting at Willow to put down the gun.
“FBI, FBI!” Willow yelled in return. “I’m reaching for my badge.”
Grey was tense as Willow pulled her badge from her bodice.
“My boss is sending back up, more agents. This man is Lamar Everett, and he is on our Top Ten Most Wanted list. My partner and I caught sight of him in a restaurant and followed him here. When we arrived, he was assaulting the victim, Mrs Winsett, and we stopped him,” Willow stated directly and to the point.
“Lower your weapons; this checks out,” a plain-clothed man said as he eyed Willow with more than professional interest. “I’m Detective Matthews.”
“Willow Ware, South Dakota FBI, based in Rapid City. This is my part—Dan Grey,” Willow replied, stumbling over the introduction.
“Civilian?” Matthews asked.
“FBI until four weeks ago and now a PI,” Grey announced.
“What’s your role in this?” Matthews demanded.
Grey raised an eyebrow. The cop’s tone was off.
“I was her back up; got a problem with that? There’s also a bounty on this asshole’s head, so you could say I’m claiming it,” Grey growled out.
“Agent Ware needed—”
“Assistant Special Agent-in-charge,” Willow interrupted.
Matthews sent her another look that was unfathomable before turning to Grey. “ASAC Ware needed a civilian’s help?” he pushed.
“Considering I was her partner for over ten years and only resigned from my role four weeks ago, I would say no. However, was it natural for us to work together? Yes,” Grey responded. “Where’s the ambulance? Mrs Winsett needs medically checking over?”
“The paramedics are waiting outside. We needed to be certain the situation was safe,” Matthews replied with a sneer.
“FBI, coming in,” someone shouted, and Grey and Willow cocked their heads towards the new guy who walked in. Behind him were four more agents.
“Director Mae, identify yourselves,” he barked.
Grey smirked as Matthews sent Mae a sideways glance.
