“Let’s get out of here.”
“Are we allowed to leave?”
“I don’t care. You don’t want to be here, and I don’t want you here.”
She let him lead her toward his truck, her gaze sweeping the room one last time before stepping out as she wondered yet again what the hell was going on.
CHAPTER 26
Holden pulled up in front of Briar Winslow’s house. He didn’t want to be here finishing the kitchen installation. He wanted to be with Clara, making sure she was okay. Convincing her she could trust him.
Three nights had passed since they’d found Malcolm’s body. He was in a coma. A high dose of fentanyl had been found in his blood and his prints were on the syringe, so the signs pointed toward him injecting himself. But Clara was adamant her attacker had been female, so there were still unanswered questions.
He’d remained on Clara’s couch for the first two nights, but last night she’d stayed at her mother’s house. He’d barely slept.
Before getting out of his truck, he sent another text to Clara.
Holden: Hey. Sleep okay?
Clara: Kind of. You?
Holden: Barely an hour.
The three dots popped up, then disappeared. When she didn’t immediately respond, he shoved his phone into his pocket and climbed out. At Briar’s front door, he knocked and waited, frowning when no one answered. He tried again…and again, nothing.
Was she not home? She knew he was coming.
He pulled out his cell, about to call her, when a car pulled into the drive and Briar rushed out. “Holden, I’m so sorry. I got caught up at the hospital.”
He shoved his hands into his pocket and stepped back while she opened the door. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really. We’re all a bit shaken by what happened to Malcolm.” She sniffed, a hint of tears glittering in her eyes. “I just hope he wakes up and can tell us why he did it. Has Jesse said anything?”
“No.”
Her face dropped.
“But if there’s anyone I trust to find answers, it’s him.”
“I hope you’re right.” She shook her head. “Anyway, sorry I’m late. Come in.”
“I’ll just get the cabinet doors from my truck.”
He went back to his truck and grabbed some of the doors. They were the last items the kitchen needed, then he’d be done.
When he returned to the house, he didn’t see Briar. But then, she might have gone into the bedroom or study.
As he worked, he continued to check his phone, wanting to be ready if Clara needed him. How long was he supposed to give her space when she was in danger?
An hour later his phone rang, Jesse’s name on the screen.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey.”
“Hey. Just thought I’d give you an update. Our two most likely suspects are currently Helen and Deb. Both their shifts give them the opportunity to be at Malcolm’s house at the right time, although Helen was working at the time Clara was attacked.”
Which meant Deb was the prime suspect. “Have you interviewed them?”
“No. That’s the plan today.”
