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“Yeah, Miss Santana, you showed up instead, walking straight into the middle of a homicide.” Cruz held his head in his hands and groaned. “Briarwood hasn’t had a murder in over sixty years. Congratulations, Miss Santana, you’ve made history.”
“It’s not something I’m proud of,” she spit out, her eyes glinting with a hint of rebellion.
Cruz gritted his teeth. “What went down tonight could be tied to organized crime. There’s a coldblooded killer out there who we need to find. You’re up to your eyeballs in this, Santana.”
“Are you trying to suggest I had something to do with Ronnie’s murder?”
“No, of course not. I would never blame our star witness. What I am suggesting is that it’s mighty convenient Tony sending you in his place, wouldn’t you say?”
“Tony isn’t your concern, Cruz,” Marissa said in a frosty voice.
Cruz leaned down so that he was eye to eye with Marissa. “Tony isn’t exactly a law abiding citizen, not as long as I’ve been Sheriff. More times than not he’s up to his elbows in shady dealings. In case you haven’t noticed, Miss Santana, I take my job very seriously. You tell that brother of yours to keep his nose clean. He ought not to leave town in case we want to pull him in for questioning.”
She visibly bristled and got up abruptly from her chair. “I take it I’m free to leave?”
Cruz nodded and said, “You’re free to leave, but don’t-.”
“Leave town. I get it,” she snapped.
“We’ll need you to come back tomorrow to look through some mug shots. See if it jogs your memory about the shooter.”
“I can’t remember his face,” Marissa explained. “It’s all fuzzy.”
Beau added, “We got a general description though – tall, white male with a slim build.”
“Sounds like half the male population in town,” Cruz said with an edge to his voice.
“I told you his face is a blur to me. If I could ID him I would.” Marissa’s voice was strained and she looked as if she was close to cracking.
Cruz counted to ten then softened his tone. “You’re a little shaken up tonight. Get some rest then come back in the morning with a fresh outlook.”
“I’ve got to show a listing in the morning. I’ll try to swing back around lunch time.” Marissa picked up her keys from Beau’s desk and said, “That’s the best I can do.”
Beau stepped forward and held Marissa’s elbow as she exited the room. “Would you like a ride home in the squad car? It’s no problem,” he asked eagerly.
Turning towards him she flashed him a shaky smile and said, “Thanks, Beau. I’m good from here. My car’s right outside.”
“You’re sure you don’t want a lift home in a police car? You look a little shaky,” Beau said.
“No, I’ll be fine.” Marissa gave Beau a weak wave and disappeared from the room.
Beau watched with hawk eyes as Marissa walked down the corridor and exited the building. He raced to the window and peered out into the pre-dawn darkness, his eyes peeled on Marissa as she made her way towards her car, got in and rode away from the station. Matt watched Beau, feeling slightly irritated at his concern for their star witness.
Matt slammed his folder down on his desk. “She could’ve gotten herself killed out there tonight. Foolish woman! Every time I turn around I hear folks saying how successful and brilliant she is. Briarwood’s businesswoman of the year. Realtor of the Year. The Junior League’s Woman of the Year.” He rolled his eyes wearily and shook his head. “Judging by what went down tonight, that woman doesn’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain during a lightning storm.”
