“No. Just asked for you two. Noah’s making arrangements if you’re all right with talking to him.”
Delaney looked across the table at Eli. His nod was fast. So was her agreement. “Then let’s hear what Wade has to say.”
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Chapter Twelve
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The Crossfire Creek Police Department sat tucked behind a row of cypress trees, a squat limestone building with narrow windows and a parking lot barely big enough for six cruisers. It was clean, quiet, and deceptively low-key. Inside, it smelled faintly of coffee and old paper, and the cool air hit Eli as he stepped through the door with Delaney.
Sheriff Arden Chase met them just inside the small lobby. She wore tactical pants, boots, and a gray polo with the department’s star embroidered on the chest. Her close-cropped blond hair made her striking, and the lines around her eyes said she’d seen more than her share of hard things.
Eli had already read her file and knew she was more than suited for the job. She’d served in the Marines and spent six years at Maverick Ops before being elected sheriff nearly a decade ago.
She stepped forward and extended her hand. “Sheriff Arden Chase. You mustbe Eli Tarrant.”
He shook her hand. “That’s right. And this is Delaney Hart.”
“Appreciate you both coming in,” Arden said, shaking Delaney’s hand next. “Wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Same,” Delaney replied.
“We’ve got your guy in holding,” the sheriff let them know. “He hasn’t said much since asking for you. Room’s prepped, and he’s been Mirandized.”
“Has he called for a lawyer?” Delaney asked.
“Nope.” Arden sounded just as surprised as Eli was about that. “Not sure if that means he’s just not very bright or if he’s got something up his sleeve.” She scowled. “My guess is door number two.”
Yeah, Eli felt the same. Men like Wade didn’t talk unless they thought it could do them some good.
“Just say the word,” the sheriff added, “and I’ll take you back to interview.”
Eli gave her a quick nod. “Let’s do it.”
Arden tipped her head toward the hallway. “This way.”
As they followed her down the corridor, Eli felt the pressure tighten around his ribs. Answers might be coming. He just hoped they were the right ones.
Just as they reached the door to the interview room, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Eli turned as Noah appeared, his phone in one hand, his expression sharp and unreadable.
“I’ll observe with the sheriff,” Noah said.
Sheriff Chase opened the door to the observation room and nodded to Eli and Delaney before stepping in behind Noah. Eli gave a quick nod in return, then went into the interview room with Delaney.
As expected, Wade Kessler was already there, kicked back in the chair like he didn’t have a care in the world. His posture was loose, confident, like he thought this was some kind of game. His gaze flicked from Eli to Delaney, then locked on the fresh bandage on her arm.
A smirk curled his lips.
Eli didn’t react. Not on the outside. But inside, fire lit through him. His pulse thudded hard, and his fists clenched before he could stop them. The urge to cross the room and plant the asshole onto the floor was almost overwhelming.
Instead, Eli forced himself to move slowly, stepping behind the chair across from Wade and resting his hands on the metal back. He didn’t sit. Didn’t speak.
Delaney did. She slid into her seat, calm and composed, even though Eli knew her arm had to be aching.
“You said you wanted to talk,” she said. “So talk.”
Wade leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. His voice came slick and full of mock sincerity. “Oh, I’ll talk. But first, I want something in return. I want a deal.”
