He exchanged a look with Baddy, who shook his head, his expression grim.
Hunter's jaw locked, his teeth grinding.The weight of powerlessness pressed down on him, heavier than the smoke in the air.
Chapter 32
Officer Phillip pushedopen the door to the interrogation room with two cups of coffee.Annie rubbed her arms.They'd been here for hours before receiving the news that Jason Stevens was found inside the burnt house, deceased.
He set them gently on the table and slid them toward Leigh and Annie."I'm sorry we don't have anything stronger, but this might help you warm up."
It was the middle of summer, and the weather was perfect.However, neither of them could stop trembling.Leigh was in shock over what she'd done, and Annie worried that her sister might get arrested for setting her house on fire, which killed her husband.
Leigh's hands trembled as she clutched the cup.Her pale face reflected her shock at the news of her husband burning in the fire.To onlookers, it appeared as if the news had drained the life right out of her.
The department rallied around her—Jason had been one of their own, a brother in uniform.Their sympathy poured out, and Leigh played the part of the grieving widow so well that Annie sniffled in support.
She couldn't help it.
Her mind drifted back to a simpler time.When their mom was alive, Leigh's wedding had been a bright, happy day, and she believed her sister was happy and in love.
And then everything changed.
Her mom's strokes had pulled her back home, into responsibility, into a sheltered existence.She hadn't wanted to interrupt Leigh's new life with Jason, hadn't wanted to burden her sister with more pain.But now, sitting here, she wondered if an interruption would've saved her sister from years of abuse.Maybe they wouldn't be sitting inside a police station, lying through their teeth, and pretending to grieve over a man they both hated.
Phillip leaned forward, his voice steady."If you like, we can have the Police Chaplain take care of the funeral arrangements for you."
Leigh broke down again, her sobs sharp."Jason would want to be cremated," she said, her voice shaking.
Annie's mouth fell open, and she closed it quickly.To her, they might as well save the expense.Jason was already half-cooked from the fire.She had no love for her brother-in-law.Her former brother-in-law.
"No, I think we'll have a private family memorial...considering the circumstances.Oh, God, what are people going to think?I should've seen what was happening and gotten him help."
Phillip nodded, understanding.He handed her several cards with phone numbers."If you need anything, call.Day or night."
Her sister nodded, taking the cards.
Then he added, "I've already arranged a hotel room for you both until the insurance company gets through investigating.Do you want me to drive you?"
