“For fuck’s sake, I didn’t try and kill Millie. I care about her,” he yelled. “There’s a real criminal out there. You should be looking for them instead of concentrating on me.”
Martinez and Rose stared at him.
“We’ll be right back,” Rose said, and he and Martinez left him alone.
From his research, Colson knew they could see and hear everything he did. He sighed, stretched out his legs, and closed his eyes. How did this all happen? Poor Millie. She’d looked so white…so frail.
“Please let her be okay,” he whispered. He felt so terrified. So alone. He knew Detective Rose didn’t believe him, but Martinez seemed to understand. At least he hoped.
Close to an hour passed before the door opened and Martinez walked in, carrying a bottle of water, a packet of peanut butter crackers, and a bag of M&M’s.
He raised a brow. “Health food diet?” He peered over the detective’s shoulder. “Where’s your charming partner? Did he find some raw meat to chew?”
Cackling, Martinez slid the snacks to him. “Good one. He’s making some calls based on the information you gave us.”
“If he speaks to Hogan, he’ll repeat everything I said. I’m telling the truth.”
“What’s your ex’s name?” At his startled expression, Martinez explained. “I want to check out his social media to verify what you told us.”
“Oh. It’s Evan Perez.” He gave Martinez the Instagram handle and watched as he found Evan’s account and started scrolling.
“What you stated checks out here.”
The door flew open, and Rose strolled in. “I just got off the phone with your friend Mr. Carmichael.” Those moonlight-pale eyes Colson had lusted over earlier locked on his through a thick sweep of dark lashes.
For some inexplicable reason, his heart pounded and adrenaline rushed through him. “Yeah? And?”
“He basically stated word-for-word what you did. By the way, he thinks it’s creepy as shit too.”
Relief tore through him. “I-I told you he would.” Somehow he managed a weak laugh. “And yeah, I know. He tells me all the time.”
“Since we have your prints in the system from one of your book-research visits, forensics identified a print on the knife handle as yours,” Rose added.
The dread returned. “I told you why.”
“Yes, sir. That’s why we’re going to release you.” Rose paused. “For now. But stay close to home.” His lips pressed into a thin line. “In case we need to contact you further. Have a good day.”
He couldn’t wait to escape but hesitated at the door. “Is Millie—will she be okay?”
“She’s still not awake.”
“I’m gonna go there to see. Millie has no family. I think when she wakes up, she should see a face she knows.”
“Boy Scout,” Rose murmured as he passed by.
“Jerk,” he muttered, and Rose snickered as he walked away.
He couldn’t leave the police station quickly enough, and he called a car to the hospital. When he arrived, they directed him to the emergency room, where he sat waiting. With regret, he realized he should’ve taken the food Detective Martinez had brought him. He was starving.
A doctor entered the room. “Mr. Delacourt?”
He jumped to his feet. “Yes. How is she? How’s Millie?”
“Are you family?”
His heart sank. “No, but—”
“I’m sorry. I can’t tell you anything.”
