“You could’ve been killed. Why didn’t you call me?” My brother-in-law stops in front of his desk, raking a hand through his hair.
I snap off my coffee’s plastic lid, inhale the bitter brew, then exhale. “First off, you’d have insisted on backup, paperwork. Your boss’s approval, as well. While all that was happening, Griffin would’ve gotten wind. For obvious reasons, I don’t trust him. Besides, it was a Hail Mary—I honestly didn’t think we’d find anything.”
My sister’s husband plants his palms on the wood, easing out a long sigh. “I’m not sure we can even use the slug as evidence.”
The dark circles under his eyes say the pressure is getting to him, so I cut him some slack. “Tagged—bagged. Photos, GPS coordinates, timestamp. Chain of custody’s intact. County Sheriff, remember?”
“Right. Sorry. I keep forgetting.” Wincing, he takes his focus off me and lowers into a chair across from Briana. “I still don’t understand why you ran off without your weapon.”
“Fight or flight. I chose the latter.” No twitch. No blink. She meets his gaze head-on.
“Huh. You’re believable, I’ll give you that. Not sure a jury will buy it.”
I flinch. That one lands hard. He’s so certain a trial is in our future, my gut twists.
Briana hears it, too. “If the FBI can link the gun to some other murder, why would the DA come after me?”
“Diego Carmine had no motive. You, on the other hand—Jilted woman kills ex? Which would you pick?” He’s pushing her too hard.
Eyes ablaze, she bolts to her feet. “So what? I clam up and plead guilty? Get fitted for an orange jumpsuit?”
“Calm down, babe.” Jumping up, my arm slips around her waist. “He’s only trying to help.”
“Well, he’s not.” Her glare could cut steel. “Why aren’t you out there, searching for him?”
“The State Police have over a dozen men looking.” His flat, hollow tone lacks conviction.
What is he not telling us?
“Did you at least close the trail to hikers?” And there she is—still thinking of others as her own life is in jeopardy.
Scott shakes his head. “Not my call. As per the Vermont governor a few hours ago, unless there’s an active shooter, it stays open. We did post warnings.”
Spine stiff, she strides toward the door. “Well, if there’s nothing else, Special Agent Hunter, we’ll be going.”
As I hold the door for her, I shoot him an apologetic shrug over my shoulder. “I’ll be in touch. Let us know when ballistics gets back to you.”
Distracted by his phone, he shouts to our backs, “Stay off the trails. Both of you.”
Like that’s going to happen.
I grunt and shut the door solidly behind us.
Chapter 30
Briana
Outside the office building, I stop in front of Kade’s red Ford. Tail wagging, Becca leaps into the back. I yank open my side door, climb in, and punch the dashboard.
“I need to go back up on that mountain. No way am I sitting around, waiting for the State Police.”
Sensing my mood, the dog whines. As she wedges her nose between the seats, Kade gives her a reassuring pat. “S’okay, girl.”
After, his hand slides to my shoulder. “This evidence will clear you, I’m certain of it.”
His little squeeze makes me want to scream.
Teeth clamped, I lower my voice. “Right. Then I’ll marry a prince to live happily—yada yada yada. Don’t sugar coat it, Marine. We both know how this plays out. Deranged, suicidal woman kills ex after discovering his affair.”
