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“Aye, we know you’re capable of handling yourself and every situation that comes your way,” Liam said in irritation. “You’re a corker, and everyone knows it. But for the love of God, woman. Just this once, can you let other people take care of you?” Liam didn’t wait for a reply. He rose to his feet and strode toward the police.
Cora looked to Finn, but he was no help. It was obvious he and Liam were together on this. She gave up and lowered her head to the dock. “Fine, but just this once.” She’d never admit it, but she did feel a bit woozy.
Finn smiled softly. “You’re safe now.”
She swallowed hard, suddenly wanting to cry. It was ridiculous, and it made no sense. She was a police officer, for heaven’s sake. Tough situations came with the territory. But the night had taken a toll, and she’d been so scared when the water closed over her head. She turned away from Finn’s understanding gaze, wishing she could blink out of existence and reappear in her bedroom with Angel and her favorite quilt and a cup of cinnamon orange herbal tea.
She struggled to get her emotions under control and said, “Is Magnus still out?”
“Yes. Liam cuffed him, so even if he wakes up, he won’t go far.” Finn surprised her by gently stroking the wet hair from her eyes. “You did really well tonight, Cora. There’s no telling how far he’d have gone.”
“I tried to get away on the boat, but he—”
“I saw.” He looked livid, like he wanted to punch Magnus all over again.
“You can take another swing at him even though he’s knocked out,” Cora said with a weak smile. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Finn said angrily. “Only a true bastard would hit someone smaller and weaker than himself.”
“Who are you calling weak?” she asked halfheartedly.
“Not you,” he assured her. “Never you.” With a featherlike stroke, he brushed his fingertips over the spot Magnus hit. Cora suspected she was going to have a black eye in the morning. “You’re brave and stronger than most people I know. I saw you hand it to him right before you both fell in the water. You really know how to pack a punch.”
“Not as good as The Jackrabbit,” she whispered.
Finn smiled down at her. “Oh, I don’t know. I think you could give him a run for his money.”
“As long as he doesn’t piss me off, he’ll never have to find out.” Cora tried to look tough, but she knew it was futile.
“He’s very sorry if he made you angry,” Finn said in earnest.
“When are you going to tell me how you got tangled up with the Booze—”
“Out of the way, sir.” A man strode toward them with a paramedic kit. Behind him were two other paramedics wheeling a stretcher.
“Looks like your chariot has arrived,” Finn said.
Cora wanted to protest, but she knew it would be useless. Between Finn’s solid presence and Liam’s fierce persistence, there was no getting out of this. She was cold, wet, hungry and so tired, she could barely keep her eyes open. The paramedics took over, with Liam and Finn standing shoulder to shoulder, watching over her. They were like two sentinels guarding her, ready for battle.Her warriors.The thought almost made her smile. Liam and Finn were as different as night and day, but she felt safe knowing they were there.
Maybe just this once it was okay to be the damsel who needed rescuing. Cora entertained the thought for exactly three seconds. Nah, who was she kidding? The only reason she hadn’t given Magnus’s unconscious body a good kick was because she barely had the strength to lift her head. But soon, that would change. For now the guys could take care of her, but when she got back to normal, Magnus was going to pay.
27
On Thursday Liam sat in the interrogation room and watched Cora rake Magnus Blackwell across the coals. Even though Magnus was a high-powered attorney and had no problem deflecting her accusations with his sullen arrogance, Cora never faltered. It was a thing of beauty to witness.
Magnus’s clothes were wrinkled, he hadn’t shaved and with dark circles under his eyes and a swollen nose, he looked like the worst kind of vagabond. For once, his sheep’s clothing had slipped to reveal the wolf underneath. Liam wanted to crow at the top of his lungs with satisfaction, but this was Cora’s moment, so he watched her go for it. Magnus hadn’t admitted to anything yet, but it was just a matter of time.
“You can play the innocent all day long, Mr. Blackwell,” Cora said calmly. There was a dark bruise on her cheekbone and around her eye, but she still managed to look cool and unruffled. Liam couldn’t have been more impressed than he was in that moment. She was magnificent. “But we know you took the money. You even offered to share it with me.”
“I don’t recall that.”
Cora gave him a scathing look. “That money was part of the same stash we found in Lindsey Albright’s locker, after she was murdered. As far as I can see, you’re the missing link to her death.”
Magnus scoffed. “That’s a pretty big jump to a conclusion with no evidence to back it up.”
“A smarter man would just get on with it, and tell us what we need to know, so we can all stop wasting each other’s time.” She pushed the notepad and pen toward him. “Could be the difference between life and death.”
“You think you know so much, but you’re clueless,” Magnus said with a sneer. “I’m embarrassed on your behalf.”
