“Makes sense. Good luck with Kate Covington.”
“Thanks.”
Stalking toward the interview room, he prepared himself to face Jeremy Covington’s wife, hoping she’d had enough time to cool down. And as much as he wanted any information he could get from the woman, Sam found himself wanting to get the interview over with in a hurry.
Partly so he could pick up his son and reassure himself Aiden was fine despite the threat someone had made against the boy.
Also because he wanted a chance to give Amy Finley a ride home.
He had no idea how she’d crawled into his consciousness so fast and made herself important to him all over again. But there was no denying it. He’d brought her out to that bridge today because he couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her. And now that he’d done it, he only wanted more.
Cursing the direction of his thoughts, he shoved open the door at the end of the hall and found Kate Covington dry-eyed and pale, her shoulders slumped over a cheapcafeteria-style table that had been repurposed for interviews.
Sam slapped a file down on the table and slid into a seat across from her. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d pulled the good cop–bad cop routine with Linda Marquette, a technique that usually yielded more information than if either one of them spoke to the subjects alone.
“I already gave my statement to Officer Marquette.” Kate looked like she hadn’t eaten a good meal in weeks. Besides the pallor of her skin, her eyes were sunken and her mouth was pinched in a frown. Lank, dark hair hung in her face.
“I have it here for you to sign.” He laid a palm on the file folder in front of him. “But I have a couple of additional questions.”
She said nothing. Didn’t even bother straightening from her slump.
“First, I’m going to ask your assistance in making sure J.D. understands the importance of staying away from Megan Bryer.”
The girl’s father was a mild-mannered guy on the town council, but he was fierce when it came to Megan. Dan Bryer had already contacted Sam’s office a half-dozen times today.
“I’ll tell him.” J.D.’s mother pursed her lips.
“When I arrived on the scene, Tiffany McCord was in the middle of suggesting you had the power to put your husband behind bars.”
She tensed slightly at the mention of the other woman’s name. Her chewed fingernail scratched idly at the laminate tabletop. “I won’t be compelled to testify against him.”
“Of course. But it begs the question why you’d want toprotect a man who betrayed his vows. With a woman who would come to your workplace to publicly harass you.”
“If you thought she was harassing me, why am I the one who’s been brought in for questioning?” She arched an eyebrow at him, making eye contact for the first time.
“Because she proved more skillful in getting under your skin.”
Sam had been playing Tiffany’s words over in his mind ever since he’d stepped between the arguing women.
Tiffany McCord wanted Kate to testify against Jeremy. Which meant there was trouble between Jeremy and his married lover. Could that be leveraged to turn her against him?
“I’m not the only one in Heartache who thinks she’s a mouthy know-it-all. She would get under most people’s skin.”
“Except for Jeremy’s.” Sometimes he didn’t like that he got paid to pick at open wounds. But it wasn’t hard with this woman, knowing she was protecting such a bastard.
“The rumor I hear is that he grew tired of her, Sheriff.” Kate finally sat up straight, drawing herself upright as if with effort. “Is there anything else?”
“You think he’s going to come back to you?” He couldn’t imagine what the incentive would be to stay with a man like that. He opened the file folder and pulled out the typed statement for her to sign.
“I know so.” She scribbled her name on the lines where he indicated. “And since he wasn’t the man who tried to kidnap Megan and Heather, it’s only a matter of time before he’s back home and you’ll have to admit this was all a mistake.”
She set the pen aside and turned her head to one side as if she’d said all she planned on saying to him.
Sam realized he wasn’t going to wrangle any more from her, but he was pleased to have learned one new piece of information.
Tiffany McCord would be a valuable woman to have on his side. Tomorrow, she’d be the first person he spoke to.
Tonight, however, he planned to find Amy and finish the conversation they’d been having earlier about the secrets she was keeping.
