Sheriff Chase motioned them all in, and she pulled out one of the chairs for Vivian. “You should sit.”
Vivian lowered herself into the chair like her limbs had turned to stone. “Grant didn’t deserve that.” Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. “Whatever else… he didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Delaney watched her carefully. Vivian was upset, but her grief felt measured. As if she were mourning more what the murder meant than the man himself.
Noah moved to stand beside the sheriff. “We’ve got a team reviewing security cameras near the office,” he let her know. “Waiting on results now. The time of death lines up with when Grant’s assistant says she left for lunch. That gives us a window.”
Sheriff Chase looked at Vivian again. “Do you know if Grant was expecting anyone today or why he was leaving the office?”
Vivian shook her head. “He didn’t say anything. But we weren’t exactly talking much.” Her gaze flicked to Olivia, then back to the desk. “This is a mess.”
It was. And Delaney knew this particular mess wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
“I’ll need statements from both of you,” the sheriff said, her gaze shifting between Vivian and Olivia.
Olivia practically snapped to attention. “Why? We didn’t see anything. We don’t know anything about it.”
She moved closer to her mother and slid a hand protectively over her shoulder. Delaney noted the subtle shift in Olivia’s stance. Defensive. Ready to fight if she had to.
“It’s standard procedure,” Sheriff Chase replied. “You were close to the victim. Any detail, no matter how small, could help.”
Vivian placed her hand on top of Olivia’s and gave it a soft pat. Then she rose, slow but steady. “It’s fine. We’ll do it.”
Olivia opened her mouth to protest again, but Vivian gave her a look. Not harsh. Just firm enough.
Sheriff Chase turned to the rest of them. “You can observe if you’d like,” she offered. “I’m taking Vivian’s statement first, then Olivia’s.”
“I want to stay with my mom,” Olivia insisted.
The sheriff shook her head. “It’s better if we do them separately. Keeps everything clean.”
Olivia’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t argue.
Delaney stepped closer to her. “I’ll stay with her,” she volunteered. And that way, Noah and Eli would be able to listen to Vivian’s statement while Delaney had a chat with Olivia.
Before the sheriff could guide Vivian toward the interview room, the front door swung open.
Lawrence stormed in, his face red with anger. He spared his daughter and granddaughter aglance before he settled his glare on the sheriff.
“You’ve got a hell of a nerve,” he barked. “Demanding I come in here like I’m some common criminal.”
Sheriff Chase stepped forward, calm but firm. “A man’s been murdered, Mr. Melborne. Questions need to be asked. That includes everyone connected to the victim.”
“Victim?” Lawrence spat out and dismissed it with a scoff. “That gold-digging snake finally got what was coming to him. The world is better off without him.”
Vivian’s face crumpled. She let out a quiet sob and turned away, covering her mouth with her hand.
Olivia immediately moved to her side, slipping an arm around her. “Stop it,” she snapped at Lawrence. “You have no right.”
Lawrence didn’t even flinch. “I have every right. I warned her what kind of man Grant was, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Sheriff Chase raised her hand. “Enough. You can have your opinions, but keep them to yourself in my station.”
Delaney watched Lawrence with quiet fury, her gaze flicking between him and Vivian. There was no remorse in the man, not even a hint of concern that someone his daughter once trusted had been killed. Just rage and disdain.
The sheriff straightened, but her tone stayed cool and in control. “I was just about to takeVivian back for her statement. You can wait in the reception area. I’ll speak with you and Olivia after.”
Lawrence folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not giving a damn thing until my attorneys get here. They’re on their way, and once they arrive, they’ll be filing formal harassment charges against you.”
