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“Not yet,” Niko said in dry tones.
Henri struggled against the arm Niko was using to press him against the wall. Niko leaned in, easily able to keep the man pinned in place.
“Let go of me.”
“Not until you admit what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Henri’s German accent was more pronounced as his narrow face flushed with anger.
“You were afraid of us digging into the past, so you followed us and—”
“Followed you?” Henri made a sound of disgust. “How? My truck won’t start. It’s been in the shop for over a week.”
“Convenient story.”
“There’s nothing convenient about it.” Henri’s voice held an edge of genuine annoyance. “Go look for yourself.”
“Niko.” The sound of Rayne’s voice had Niko glancing over his shoulder. He discovered her standing next to the stove with her hand over a pan that was sitting on the front burner. “There’s soup in this. It’s warm.”
“Of course it’s warm,” Henri snapped. “You interrupted my lunch. I should call the cops.”
“You can call them when we’re done chatting.” Niko turned his head back to glare down at Henri.
“I already told you, my truck is in the shop,” Henri stubbornly insisted. “If someone took a shot at you, it wasn’t me.”
Was it possible he was telling the truth? Niko scowled. He didn’t want to believe him. Henri Wagner was, after all, the most likely culprit. He’d been the last person they’d spoken to before they were attacked. And it’d been obvious during their conversation that he was hiding something from the past.
But there hadn’t been a truck parked near the house when they’d returned here. And even though there were outbuildings where he could have parked it, would he have the sense to hide it on the off chance he might be followed back here? Most certainly he wouldn’t have had the time to open a can of soup and have it warmed.
“Then it must have been one of your partners,” Niko accused.
Henri shook his head. “What partners?”
“The Orwells.”
“Orwells?” There was a shocked silence before Henri released a harsh bark of laughter. “You really must be on drugs if you think those . . .” His words trailed away as he glanced toward Rayne across the kitchen. He cleared his throat and continued. “Those people would be partners with me.”
“You were a trainer for them,” Niko reminded him.
“For a few months.” Henri spat out the words. “As soon as they could find a reason to get rid of me, they kicked me out. It didn’t matter to them that I was the best trainer they’d ever had.”
“Why would they go to the trouble of bringing you from Austria to America if they intended to get rid of you?”
“Ask them.”
“Oh, I intend to.” Niko pressed his forearm against Henri’s bony chest hard enough to make him grunt in pain. “But first you’re going to tell me everything you know about Nat’s death.”
“I don’t know—”
“I’m getting the information, Wagner. I can beat it out of you.” Niko watched the man’s expression harden into stubborn lines. Henri Wagner wasn’t the sort of person to be intimidated by physical violence. Always the savvy businessman, Niko swiftly altered his tactics. “Or . . .” Dropping his arm, Niko stepped away from Henri and headed toward the small dining room table near the cabinets. “We can all have a seat and stare at one another until you reveal the truth.” Settling in one of the wooden chairs, Niko folded his arms over his chest and glanced toward the woman eyeing him with raised brows. “I have nothing but time on my hands. Rayne?”
Easily sensing his motives, Rayne smoothly settled in the chair next to him. “I can stay the next month. Everything I own is in my van.”
Niko sent Henri a warning smile. “Seems like we’re all set to become roommates. I hope you have extra soup.”
Henri’s lips parted, as if he was about to renew his threats to call the cops. Then, as if realizing that nothing was going to force Niko to leave without answers, a sly expression settled on his face.
“You want the truth? Fine.” Strolling toward the fridge, Henri opened the door to pull out a beer before he joined them at the table. Once he was seated, he popped the tab and flashed Niko a mocking smile. “I’ll even start at the beginning.”
