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Straightening, he narrowed his eyes, studying her suddenly with a measured glance.
She had tipped her hand, said the wrong thing. But what?
“You’re thefriendsomeone calls when they need to get rid of a body. That’s why she dialed your number and no one else.” It was a statement. Not a question.
No, no.He was not going to turn this around on her, making her a suspect.
She swore under her breath, wanting to curse her cousin for sending Brian. “Haley hadn’t been plotting to kill her husband. She’d been planning to leave him. I think Seth might’ve found out and that was the reason he beat her tonight. I honestly don’t know why she called me. Other than she must’ve known I’d come regardless of the risks to myself. For the record, I’ve never helped anyone get rid of a body.” But there was always a first time for everything.
Brian seemed to mull that over while assessing her. “Let’s stop speculating. The police will be looking for Haley and Seth. One or both will turn up. No casualties were reported at the house. I’ll know for certain once the canines go through the debris. The cadaver dogs will pick up whatever is left of any blood.”
“Someone started the fire,” she insisted. “Deliberately. To cover up what I saw in there.” That same person was also probably the one who had shot at her. Well, they had messed with the wrong woman. Because now she wasn’t just scared and appalled. She was angry.
“I’m not doubting it.”
“You only doubt that Seth was responsible.”
“I didn’t say that.” Brian sighed. “Look, jumping to conclusions is counterproductive. It’ll get us nowhere. I prefer to investigate and let the evidence speak for itself.”
A car pulled up outside with red and blue flashing lights. No siren wailing.
“I’m not going to say anything about Haley’s phone call,” she said, “or about going to the ranch.”
His brow furrowed. “You have to.”
“No. I don’t. I only agreed to let you report the shooting.”
“You were at a crime scene. You need to give an official statement.”
“I will. After we find evidence. Discreetly.” There was a knock at the door. “Let’s see if I can trust you.” She doubted it. “Play this my way. Got it?”
“This isn’t a game.”
“I know.” It was a gamble.
She answered the door.
“I’m Chief Deputy Holden Powell. I take it your lack of a front window is from the shots fired?”
“Yes. Please, come in.” She opened the door wider for him.
The deputy stepped inside.
“Holden.” Brian strode over and extended his hand.
The two men shook. “I was surprised to hear from you tonight, Brian.”
“Unfortunate circumstances made it necessary.”
“How many shots were fired?” the deputy asked.
Charlie closed the door. “Five.”
“Did either of you see who it was?” Holden looked between them.
They both shook their heads.
“No. The shooter sped off,” Brian added. “I thought it best not to pursue. I wanted to make sure Charlie was all right. Also, in case there was more than one, perhaps a second shooter on foot meant to finish the job.”
