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She felt her eyes widen in shock. How could he see into her so easily? It was unsettling. She tightened her jaw, willing her internal walls to thicken. With her guard back up and in place, she wanted to get back to the case at hand. Even if Wolfe and Alexei were right about the Russians looking for her, how would they know she was in Destiny? The Coleman brothers definitely looked the part as big, brawny protectors, but she had her pistol. With it, she could handle just about any asshole who dared to show up.
While the sheriff remained in the hallway with Phoebe, Nicole thought it would be a good idea to interrogate these cowboys.
She’d start with the easy question. “Do either of you know Katherine White?”
“You mean Amber?” Reed nodded. “Yes.”
“No, I mean Katherine White.” She’d never heard of the other woman. “She was missing for a few days about three months ago. Who is Amber?”
“Same person,” Sawyer interjected. “She had amnesia, so the Stone brothers, the guys who found her, started calling her Amber. After her memory returned, the new name suited her more. That’s what everyone in town calls her now.”
“Except her sister, Belle. She still calls her Katherine.” Reed seemed to be studying her like she was a newly discovered species.
Though everything inside her pushed her to look away from his intense stare, she didn’t. She needed to hold her ground or she would lose this battle of wills, and Reed’s seemed to be limitless.
“What about Sergei Mitrofanov?” she asked, resisting the urge to chew on her lower lip like a silly schoolgirl. What’s wrong with me? It wasn’t like she was an innocent. She’d had sex, though not as much as most in the station thought. Unfortunately, most of her sexual experiences had occurred during her low time, which meant her memories of them were clouded. Guilt scraped the inside of her head, making her wince.
“I know he’s dead,” Sawyer interjected.
“Is that why you’re here in Destiny, Chicago? Investigating the bastard’s death?”
She’d said too much already. “I think I should be asking the questions here, not you two mavericks.”
Sheriff Wolfe walked back into the room, but Phoebe wasn’t with him. The look on his face seemed to indicate whatever she’d said to him wasn’t good.
“Everything okay?” Sawyer asked.
The sheriff frowned. “The parole board approved Shane Blue’s release. He’ll be back in town soon.”
“Damn…” Reed shook his head. “What happens now?”
“Miss Blue is concerned that I’ll give her brother hell when he returns. I assured her that as long as he stays out of trouble, I’ll leave him alone.” The sheriff turned his attention to her. “I’ll say the same to you, Flowers. I’ll be the one asking the questions. This is my town. You’re on suspension, not on duty. Remember that.”
She had no idea who this Shane person was, but Sheriff Wolfe clearly wasn’t happy to have him back in town. The harshness she’d heard during their phone call yesterday was back in full force.
“What do you need from us, Jason?” Sawyer asked. “Nicole mentioned something about the Russian who lied about being Amber’s husband.”
“She did?” The lawman glared at her. “What else did she say?”
She didn’t like his demeaning tone and wasn’t about to let it slide without a fight. “I’m not a rookie, Sheriff.”
“Maybe not, but Chicago PD took you off your beat two years ago and chained you to a desk job, right?”
Had her commander shared all her black marks with Wolfe? If not him, then who? “I like working the desk.”
Reed snorted. “Not true. I may not be law enforcement, Chicago, but even I can tell you’re lying about that.”
Sawyer stepped between her and the sheriff as if he meant to defend her from him. It only made her angry.
“Move out of my way, Mr. Coleman. I’ve been taking care of myself for a very long time. I don’t need you to try to protect me, especially not from a fellow officer of the law.” She held up two fingers. “I have been awarded two accommodations from my department. One was for sharpshooting and the other was for martial arts. Which would you like to see a sample of? Or will you trust me that I can handle whatever crap comes my way.”
Sawyer turned to her, his face showing kind concern. “You’ve had more than your fair share of crap, Nicole, I’m sure. Too much, I bet.”
His words softened her instantly, but she couldn’t be vulnerable, no matter how much she wanted to be. Strong. She had to remain strong. She rolled her eyes, hoping the gesture would push him back some. It worked. He shook his head and stepped away, and she immediately regretted her success.
“I don’t have time for this shit,” the sheriff barked. “Flowers, you know you’re in danger. Alexei’s intel is spot on.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean the Mitrofanovs know where I am, Sherriff.”
