Page 57 of Ancient Obsession

“Yeah. Okay.”

Dave took Oliver’s hand under the table and squeezed. Oliver returned it as he sat back against the booth, the tension leaving his shoulders.

“This has been really helpful, guys,” Dave said. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, talking this through has helped a lot.”

“We’re here whenever you need to talk.” Demetrius slid the notebook off the table, along with the baggie holding the scrap of material. “Can I have her examine the fabric as well?”

“If you keep feeding her spooky stuff, she’ll never leave town,” Cody grumbled. “It’s how we ended up with a raccoon living in our backyard.”

They all laughed, but Demetrius and Cody quieted as someone at the door caught their attention. Dave checked over his shoulder. Any good feelings he had been having froze inside him.

Lucia approached their table. She wore her sheriff’s uniform, her jaw set and her mouth a thin line.

“Hi, Lucia,” Demetrius said. “Or is it Deputy Durant?”

“We’re just enjoying a good meal and conversation,” Cody said. “You’re not going to ruin that for all of us, are you?”

“This isn’t about you for once, Bower.” Lucia shifted her gaze to Oliver. “Oliver, I’m sorry, but I need you to come to the station with me.”

“What?”

Claws and razor blades spun inside Dave’s chest. Color had drained from Oliver’s face as he looked between Dave and Lucia.

“Why?” Oliver gripped the edge of the table tight. “I didn’t do anything.”

“What’s this about?” Dave remained seated, locking Oliver in place.

“Let’s go down to the station and talk about it without causing a scene.” Lucia had lowered her voice, glancing at the other diners who were openly staring.

“No,” Oliver said. “Not until I know what this is about. Do you have a warrant?”

“I do not have a warrant,” Lucia said. “But Glenmont PD does. When Detective Carter let me know what he was going to do, I offered to bring you in until he can get here. I thought I might be able to break the news a little more gently than him.”

“Your idea of gentle needs work,” Cody said.

The sounds of the diner faded to white noise. His hands had curled into fists. How was this possible?

“What grounds does Detective Carter have for his arrest?” Demetrius asked.

“I’d rather not get into this here. I need Oliver to come to the station with me.”

“I’m not leaving until you explain it,” Oliver stated.

“Lucia…” Demetrius’s tone was calm and even, always the voice of reason. “Please just let us know what evidence they have to be able to get the warrant. Please. You know Oliver really well. You know he’s not a killer.”

With a groan, Lucia pulled a chair from an empty table and sat at the end of the booth. Margie had come out of the kitchen, and she hovered nearby, fingers worrying her silver St. Christopher’s medal.

“I don’t know a lot about what’s going on over there,” Lucia said.

“You don’t want to,” Oliver said.

“But Carter told me there’s been another murder.”

“Oh, shit.” Dave put a hand on Oliver’s leg and squeezed. “Who was it?”

Lucia seemed to be debating with herself. Finally, she leaned in closer, the words just above a whisper. “A woman named Vera.”