“Probably. But Bishop didn’t do it.”
“How do you know?”
My jaw tightened. “I know him. He wouldn’t hurt anyone. Not unless they deserved it.”
“Don’t play favorites, Locke.”
“I’m not.” I closed the folder and set it back on his desk. “I justknowhe didn’t do it.”
“Well, don’t scratch him off your list until you have another suspect.”
“Fine.” I shrugged.
“Mia is still at the hospital. I want you to go down there and talk to her. See if she remembers anything about this guy.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then bring Mr. Warren in.” Nettles tapped the desk twice, like the conversation was over whether I liked it or not.
I forced a huff of disapproval. I hated that he didn’t believe me. Even after I was right with Portia. Even after all the other cases… I was still a loose cannon in his eyes.
The captain snapped his gaze to me. “Look, the only reason you’re on this case,” he said through clenched teeth, “is because you are so close. That is when you are your best—when you’re invested.” He strode past me and opened the door. “Don’t make me regret it. Oh, and the photographer will be here in two days to get your shot for the Christmas Jamboree signs going up around town.”
And there it was. Proof I was no more than the body he wanted as the poster boy for Port Grey PD. God, he left a bitter taste in my mouth. If I didn’t need this job, and if the Jamboree didn’t benefit so many of the people I cared about—I’dbe out.
“Is that really necessary?” I asked, pushing past him. “Everyone already knows I’m involved in the Jamboree. I have been every year.”
“But you left. People don’t know you’re back.” He turned on his heel and folded his arms in front of himself. “You think this town didn’t notice your absence? Give yourself a little more credit than that. We all care about you. Besides, seeing your… bulging muscles… on display again will give the town something other than a serial killer to focus on.”
“Well,” I breathed, “I’ll make sure to tell Santa you made me all warm and fuzzy inside.” I made my way down the hall. I couldn’t believe him. The only time he gave two shits about me was if I had something he wanted. Of course he’d make me his best officer as long as I posed pretty for the camera or solved a case.
Fucking hypocrite.
At the hospital, it took me a minute to get over how much Mia looked like Maggie. She was younger—only nineteen—but I had to actually pause at the door before going in. The asshole beat the shit outta her. Her left eye was swollen shut, lip cut deep, and a sick greenish-purple over her entire face. It broke my heart.
“Mia?” I said softly, finally stepping into the darkened hospital room. “I’m Officer Graham Locke with Port?—”
“I know who you are.” She winced and turned in her bed to face me. “You’re the only officer that takes up the whole doorway. Plus, you fucked my sister when she won you at the bachelor’s auction three years ago. I remember your walk.”
Oh, shit. This just got awkward really fast.
“Uh… caught me off guard there… how is Connie?”
“Vicki.”
“Ah, yeah… Vicki—that’s right.”
“I don’t know… working on her fourth baby daddy for all I know. I wouldn’t be surprised if little Jonas was yours.”
Jesus.
I sucked in a breath. “Definitely not.”
“What? You sterile?”
“No.” I shot her a look. “You can’t make babies with what we did.” Ipulled out my memo pad and a pen. “I’m not here to talk about your sister, her children, baby daddies, or myself. I’m here to find out everything I can about the bastard who did that to your face.”
“Yeah, well…” She looked off toward the window.
