AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is this your version of the good cop?”
Slade chuckled. “No. Ask Thorn. He’s always the good cop and I’m always the bad-ass cop.”
“I’ll bet you’re good at it.”
“I don’t know. You didn’t seem very intimidated yesterday. Numb and in shock at first, but then you decided you weren’t taking any shit from me.”
“For the record, I didn’t do it.”
“As I said, I need to clear you, but I don’t think you did, either.”
“What changed your mind?”
“For one thing, I don’t think you’re stupid. I find it hard to believe you’d have copied your own bestselling book. Then there’s the physicality. Daniel wasn’t a small man. I’m not sure you’re even capable of getting Daniel up on that rock, much less everything else that was done.”
Fiona perked up and eyed him speculatively. “That’s not the first time you’ve called him by his first name. Did you know him?”
“Yes. The place where he was staying belonged to me. I thought he’d be safe there. I was wrong. And that would be the third thing. I’m willing to own that I may have rushed to judgment because of my relationship with the victim, something I had assured my boss I wouldn’t do.”
Fiona relaxed. Her shoulders lost their rigidity, and her body seemed to soften.
“He won’t hear it from me.”
Slade chuckled. “That’s good to know, but my guess is the chief will probably tell him. Right now, he’s worried about false arrest charges being leveled at his department.”
She smiled and laid her hand on his arm. “Went, please tell Jimmy not to worry about that, and I’m sorry about your friend, Detective Rafferty. I didn’t look too closely at those pictures, but that must have been quite a shock.”
“Thank you for your understanding and sympathy, Ms. Fowler.”
“Please call me Fiona. When you call me Ms. Fowler, I think back on the handcuffs clicking around my wrists.”
“Only if you’ll call me Slade. Went, go on down and meet Kenny and Randy.” He turned back to Fiona. “They’re the State forensics people I brought with me. Fiona, I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay in your place tonight.”
“I appreciate that, but Angel’s Rise is a small town. If I go somewhere else, whoever did this might try again and hurt someone else.”
Slade nodded. “Agreed. Bangor is about an hour from here. Why don’t you let the State put you up until we can make your place safe again?”
“They could just follow me.”
“We’ll leave your vehicle here and take mine. I’ll make sure no one is following and then we’ll check you in without a name. You’ll be safe, Fiona. I promise.”
“Okay. Let me just pack a suitcase.”
“If you have a purse or shoulder bag you could stuff something into, that would be better.”
“I can do that. Would you mind grabbing the boots by the front door? I’ll wear those.”
“I’ll grab your jacket, scarf and hat as well.”
“Thanks.”
He watched her open a set of French shutter-style doors to reveal a small walk-in closet. She grabbed an enormous, slouchy bag and tossed in some clothing. He went to get her things by the door. Slade put his hands in the boots to ensure no glass had managed to get inside.
Fiona disappeared for a moment deeper into her closet, which he realized must lead to her bath, before she popped back out.
“I’m ready.”
“Good. Went? Let the chief know I’m taking Fiona with mevoluntarilyand putting her up in anicehotel. Give me a call when the bookstore and her loft are secure.”
