“For the love of God, we’ll all walk him to his car,” Grant said. “But I’m not taking any chances. The gun stays out.”
Dan stood fast, refusing to move forward. “Are you sure you don’t need help locating the murderer? Or could you use a bodyguard until you find him?”
Bree shook her head. “We’re working on it and hope to know something soon.”
“That’s a relief,” Dan said. “I hear people talking. They’re scared. Every woman in Shadow Valley is terrified.”
Avery’s heart squeezed hard in her chest. It was her responsibility to help local law enforcement find the man and put him away. Preferably, before he claimed another victim. Yet, hearing Bree say she was working on it lit a fire in Avery’s gut. Bree had no jurisdiction over the case. She didn’t work for the sheriff’s department or the FBI. She was out of her area and could lose her job if word got back to Omaha that she’d impersonated an FBI agent. Even worse, she could spend time in prison.
It would serve her right.
“We’ll all go together,” Avery said. “You first, Ms. Lansing.”
Bree shrugged and started toward the end of the building.
With one hand holding the gun, Grant gripped Dan’s other elbow with the other and led him around to the back side of the motel, following Bree.
Avery brought up the rear. She didn’t trust that the man dressed in black wouldn’t return. She didn’t trust Bree Lansing and wanted to get to the bottom of her deception. The woman had already lied about who she was and had taken Avery’s identity for the days she’d been laid up in a coma. What else had she done concerning the case?
Dan’s car stood behind the building, tucked in next to a giant trash bin.
“Thanks for walking me to my car. I didn’t need the help, but it’s appreciated.” He turned to Bree, not Avery. “I hope you find the murderer soon. I like thinking this little town is a safe place to live.”
“We’ll do our best,” Bree said.
Avery ground her teeth to keep from saying anything else in front of Dan.
Bree touched the man’s arm. “Thank you for helping me, Dan. And thank you for the coffee you’ve brought every morning since I’ve been here.”
“You’re quite welcome.” Dan looked to Grant and Avery and back to Bree, his eyes narrowing. “Agent—Ms. Lansing, will you be all right?”
Bree laughed, though the sound fell flat. “I’ll be fine. These two are the real deal. I was only filling in.”
Dan stared at Grant and Avery as if they were the ones guilty of impersonating an FBI agent, not Bree. “Okay then. Good night.” He got into his car, backed out and slowly drove away.
Once Dan was gone, fully out of sight, Avery turned to Bree Lansing. “I want to know exactly why you’re here and why you stole my identity.” Anger roiled up inside her. At the same time, she had to admit that when Detective Lansing had been attacked, Avery had experienced something so intense it had had nothing to do with anger at this woman for impersonating her.
She’d felt fear so wildly powerful that she couldn’t let go of that feeling to be viciously angry at Bree.
“I want to speak with you, Agent Bradley and Sheriff Taylor at the same time.” Bree held out her arms, palms up. “I’m tired, a little bruised, and I don’t have time to explain twice.”
Grant pulled out his cell phone, selected a number and held it to his ear. “Agent Bradley, this is Grant Hayes. I need you to meet me at TJ’s Bar and Grill as soon as you can. And bring Sheriff Taylor.” He paused and then said, “I’ll explain when you get there.” He ended the call and waved the gun in his hand toward Bree. “Let’s go.”
Avery tensed and stepped aside, allowing Bree to precede them. If the woman tried to run, Grant wouldn’t have to shoot her. Avery would take her down.
“You don’t have to worry,” Bree said. “I’m not going to run.”
“That’s right,” Grant said.
Avery didn’t say anything. She didn’t trust the woman. At the same time, she could see and feel the other woman’s resolve to end the charade. “We should have the sheriff meet us here and have someone dust for Ms. Lansing’s room for prints.”
“Wouldn’t do any good,” Bree said. “The perp was wearing gloves. He wouldn’t have left any prints. I would like to look inside to see if he took anything or left a message.”
Grant and Avery followed Bree back to her room. Since Grant was carrying the gun, he followed Bree inside while Avery stood guard at the door.
They were back out in less than a minute.
“Nothing taken, that I could tell,” Bree said.
