“Don’t insult my intelligence again,” Leo snarled before turning to Scarlett. “I’m attempting to put the police’s theory to the test. We believe you. To prove them wrong, I need to rule out their excuse.”
“I’m up for it,” she said confidently.
The men got up from the table and spread out.
“This seems ridiculous,” Rocker mumbled.
“No more than me listening for you to attack me from behind. Leo has to rule out everything. I’ll do whatever I can to keep Jeremy from hurting someone else,” Scarlett said, taking Ice’s harness.
Ty rose to follow, but Leo stopped him. “Let her go alone. I don’t want anything distracting her. The same goes for you, Rocker,” Leo ordered. “She has Ice.”
Scarlett started down the hall. She immediately spotted Saint. “You smell like your wife’s bakery. You must’ve come from the hospital,” she said as she passed him.
She gripped Ice’s harness, concentrating on the smells of the facility. The smell of gun oil and sweat grew strongerwhen she entered the next floor. Scarlett smiled. “I smell honey. You must be Bear. Ty says he only uses yours.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Scarlett,” he said as she passed by him.
A minute later, she stopped. “Come out, Shadow. I smell Afghan food. You’re married to Avie, I believe.”
“Damn, you’re good,” he said, impressed.
“Yeah, I know,” she replied cockily. Scarlett continued toward the gym, the scent of equipment and sweat tickling her nose. Then, she stopped. “You’re wearing it. I smell Jeremy’s cologne.”
“You got me,” Taco said. “Good job, Scarlett.”
“This may sound strange, but you smell like tacos, Taco,” she said, confused.
“Tess makes them for me. They’re the best. I’ll bring you some sometime,” Taco offered.
“You bring the tacos, I’ll buy the beer,” she said, turning Ice around and heading upstairs.
Taco let out a loud whistle, letting the others know to return.
“She spotted me, boss, like a pro,” Taco announced as they entered the kitchen.
Ty stood and pulled out her chair. “I not only nailed it, I caught Shadow, Bear, and Saint,” she told him.
“I never doubted you,” Ty said.
“Since we’ve proven their theory wrong, here’s what we got,” Leo said, standing.
“Michael and Knight reported Jeremy went to the grocery store, stopped at the hardware store, and picked up feed. Then he returned home. Ben came out of the barn two hours later, the night you were attacked. Do we have anyone who holds a grudge against the hospital or Chase and Kassie?”
“Kyle Carson didn’t appreciate Doc refusing his request for admission,” Saintvolunteered.
“Do we know why he refused?” Leo asked.
“Because he threatened one of the nurses. He’s volatile when they refuse to date him. Doc won’t put his staff in jeopardy,” Patch explained.
“Does he have violent tendencies to the point of setting fire to a community center and killing a senior?” Leo questioned.
Patch shook his head. “I can’t see it. It’s more about him getting turned down by women.”
“Victoria put a stop to Kassie getting roped into the room mom activities, but I don’t see anyone getting upset enough to set fire to the place,” Shadow volunteered.
“What about the hospital? Have they turned down anyone for contracts who might benefit if the food delivery trucks refuse them service?” Leo asked his men.
“I checked them out, Leo,” Bear spoke up. “They only refused one contract. The vendor has a reputation for adding on extra charges. They don’t have any other business in Serenity and obtained a sizeable contract in Seattle. It doesn’t seem plausible to hold a grudge when they landed an even bigger contract two days after Kassie turned them down. Plus, everyone knows they try to use the small businesses in town. If anything, people stay loyal to them because they’ve boosted the economy in the area.”
