Page 14 of Capture My Heart

Trey mulled over the roster. Daniels, Peterson, and Brannon were all on the list of people in the building at the time of the warden’s murder. Along with Officer Larson. His chest ached to ask if she would be there tonight, but he wasn’t sure if it was because she was a suspect or the fact, he liked to flirt with her. Her blue eyes turned as rough as Lake Superior during a spring storm when she verbally sparred with him. If he actually got her in the ring, he’d bet she would give him a run for his money. A smile ghosted his lips.

“With that goofy look on his face, I doubt he’s thinking about Peterson all sweaty and huffing for air. Do you?” Jim asked CJ.

“I hope not. That would get uncomfortable really quick.” CJ’s brows rose in question. “He’s a married man. But if you swing that way, I think Brannon is single.”

Trey crumpled his napkin and threw it at him.

“Thanks, but I’m into women. Blonde, bossy women.” He mumbled the last to himself, but Jim must have heard him.

“So, you have someone in mind? No ring. Are you dating this mouthy, golden-haired beauty?”

Trey should have kept his mouth shut. Avoidance. He took a drink of his coffee and instantly realized that was a mistake. The steaming hot, black liquid scorched like lava. His instincts yelled, spit it out, but not with two of Ashwood’s finest eagle-eyeing him. One big gulp and the scalding hot coffee fried all his taste buds in his mouth on the way down.

CJ smirked. “He’s not dating her. If he was, he wouldn’t have just given himself second-degree burns.”

“That had to hurt. You could have just said you didn’t want to talk about her.” Jim got up and grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler by the counter. He handed it to Trey. “No worries. You wanted our opinions on the suspects?”

After downing half the bottle, Trey answered. “Yeah, but now that I think about it, I think I want to make a first impression myself before I hear your thoughts.”

“Makes sense.” CJ said. “So, we have a few more minutes until we have to leave. We can just grill you on your love life.”

Not happening. Trey was fairly sure he was kidding but didn’t want to chance it. Not that there was anything to tell. His last long-term relationship ended after he got shot. Good thing, too. She couldn’t handle the danger aspect of his job. Before that, his life consisted of short flings and occasional hookup.

He checked the time on his phone. “This was swell, but I gotta go. I have an interview to conduct.”

“Suspect or witness?” CJ asked.

“New employee at the gym.”

“That’s right. Jim said you were the new owner.” CJ lifted his mug. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, I have a good feeling about this one. He’s had a rough past, but I think he might be a good fit.” He hoped so. And it might give him an in to find out more about Officer Larson.

He stood, stepped to the counter and paid for his water, then gave a two-finger salute to the guys as he left.

His mind worked over his strategy—feel out the suspects, check out their mannerisms. Maybe toss a shady request their way and see if they take the bait. He only had a short window to do that. Then he needed to conduct official interviews.

His reminder pinged ten-thirty. Tommy’s interview was at eleven. He walked the block and a half back to the gym. The faded lettering on the sign caught his attention. The torn awning as well. He’d add it to the list. But for now, he had to focus on the case. He opened the door, and the volume soared. Weights clanged, machines hummed, and he exhaled some of the stress he carried with him every day.

Back in his office, he slipped into his desk chair which faced the door. The two-way mirror gave him a good view of the main gym floor. Everything was under control at the moment, so he booted up his laptop and looked up the Stillwater and Oak Park Heights Correctional Facilities. He needed to set up appointments with Davis Sampson and Gunter Lindstrom. If there was a dirty cop in the Ashwood Police Department, interviewing the men who hired him or her would be a good place to start.

By the time Tommy walked into the gym, Trey had his visits set up. He’d meet with Sampson the following day, but Lindstrom’s attorney pushed their meeting time back to next Monday.

Trey stroked his chin. The stubble reminded him he’d forgotten to shave that morning. The extra days would give him time to plan his questions. He would need them. Lindstrom’s attorney was a shark. Trey had to be on the top of his game. He would dig up every minuscule detail on Gunter’s life if it would help him find the killer.

The knock on the door pulled his attention. He closed his laptop and stood. Tommy Larson brought his A game. Definitely, no hint of the twenty-year-old drug dealer. Today, he wore a dark blue suit with a deep lavender tie. The man looked sharp. “Tommy, take a seat.”

Tommy extended his hand. After the shake he handed Trey a resume.

He did a quick read through. Wow, he earned an accounting degree and had top marks in his classes. Not wanting to tip his hand, he schooled his expression. “I see you have an accounting degree.”

“Yes, I haven’t taken the CPA exam yet, but I will.” The slight tremble of his hand caught Trey’s eye. Nervous. He couldn’t blame him.

With a nod, he glanced back at the resume. “You’re a little over-qualified for mopping floors.”

Tommy deflated a little.

“But, if you don’t mind doing some manual labor, I think we could find some bookwork that needs to be done as well.”