Tired and likely to miss something anyway, Maya powered down the computer. She would focus on finding this missing prosecutor. If she was still alive, she might be able to look at these pictures and tell Maya more. Juniper had lain down next to her and had her head resting on her front paws. Maya petted her.
“You’re the best, you know that?”
They stood and headed out the door with Maya holding several envelopes. She put the extra one in her vehicle back where the originals had been near Juniper. Then she put one envelope on the front seat and closed the door. Juniper was waiting by her compartment door and when Maya opened it, she jumped right up and curled into a little pooch ball.
“I think you’re finally tired,” Maya said. “For now.”
She drove the short distance to the sheriff’s office. Juniper jumped to her feet when they parked.
“I guess you’re not that tired,” Maya said to her. “The office is closed. It’ll just be people you know. You can come in with me.”
She went around and opened the door. Juniper jumped out and then stayed by Maya’s side. She knew her dog felt her emotions and wanted to be there for her. She petted her again, running her hands down Juniper’s back, grateful for her partner. She saw Josh’s patrol vehicle, Pops’ sheriff’s vehicle, and Spencer’s rental car all parked near each other. What had happened with the trial? Were Miranda and Lucas back, and if so, was Lucas already questioning Josh?
When she opened the door, Juniper’s tail started to wag as the dog spied Josh near the front desk. Maya let her dog go and greet Josh. Poor Finn had been home all day, although Josh had probably stopped by the house and let him out. It was hard on the dogs when they had court dates. They couldn’t come with. Juniper usually chewed something up. Finn was a little bit more patient, but she had no doubt that he too would destroy something given a chance. He was still high energy, but not quite to the level of Juniper.
Josh was saying hello to Juniper as Maya closed the door behind her, making sure it was locked since the office was closed for the day.
“You have no idea how glad I am to see you,” Josh said.
She went over to him and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard. Pulling him in closer, her emotions overwhelmed her, but she wanted nothing more than him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Maya finally stepped back from Josh and peered up at him. Was she staring into the face of a murderer?No.Not at all. Did he have any idea of what was going on? Had Lucas interviewed him yet?
“What did I do to deserve that?” Josh asked, quickly adding, “Not that I’m complaining.”
“I missed you,” Maya answered. Juniper came up and pushed her nose between them, wanting more attention. Josh obliged and started petting her. “We need to talk somewhere private. Has Lucas asked you any questions?”
“Not yet. I know he’s going to, though. Let’s go to my office while I wait for him.”
“No,” Maya said, suddenly feeling paranoid. Someone had known Josh was meeting Amber. They had to. Which meant that things could be tapped. Phones, who knew what else. Technology made things easier and easier. If the senator was involved and had his men—former law enforcement—doing his dirty work, who knew what they had access to? They had the knowledge. The senator had the money. “I think we should leave our phones in your office, but then go talk somewhere else. Somewhere no one else would go.”
Josh gave her a quizzical look but agreed. They headed down the hall, Juniper between them, and left their phones. Then they headed to the supply closet. Juniper pushed her way in with them.
“This feels like we’re going in here to make out,” Josh teased.
“I wish it were that simple,” Maya said. Then she filled him in about the knife, along with Lucas confirming it was Josh’s gun. She added in all the details, including that Lucas had already started to question Maya about where Josh was when the murder happened. When she finished, she said, “I love you like I’ve never loved anyone else. I trust you. You’re the only person I want to spend my life with.”
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” Josh said, leaning in to kiss her. Juniper gave a little whine and Maya stopped him.
“I need to ask you something, though,” Maya said. “Is there anything else I should know? Anything at all? Just between us?”
“No. Nothing. I swear.”
“You’re being framed and Lucas is going to arrest you. Do you realize that?” Maya asked.
Josh sighed. “And here I was hoping we were going to make out. Let Lucas arrest me then. We’ll figure this out and prove my innocence, because I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Will you be serious for a moment? Stop blowing this off and making jokes. Innocent people go to prison. It happens.”
“Okay, okay,” Josh said. “I know this is serious, but I don’t know why someone would want to frame me for these murders.”
“I think it’s the evidence. These pictures,” Maya said, showing Josh the envelope. “I made copies and I’ve been stashing them everywhere. This one is for Lucas. He might be arresting you, but at least he’s still listening to me and trying to believe that you’re innocent. I have the originals in a safe place. I won’t tell you so no one can torture it out of you.”
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” Josh asked.
“No. We’ve had two homicides in a short amount of time. It all started when Amber called you about this case. I am not overreacting. I’m being logical.”
