What would they do if he refused? The lady cop looked like she was itching to whip out her handcuffs and slap them on him. He hadn’t done anything wrong, though. Once he explained it all to them, they’d apologize and let him go, right? Okay, they might not apologize, but he didn’t care. As long as everythinggot cleared up.
“What do you want me to do?” Heather’s anxious expression warmed him. “Should I follow you down?”
“No, but you should call Jack and let him know what’s happening. Not that I even know.Just tell him.”
Lifting his hand, he stroked his fingers down her cheek. “Stay near your phone. I’m hoping this will be over with fast and I’ll need a ride back here.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
As he got into the back of the dark-colored Crown Victoria, he liked the idea of Heather waiting for him. Is this how Jack felt when he returned each night to Callie and Jonathan? If it was, it wasn’t a bad feeling. Hopefully he’d get a chance to explore it further. With the way his luck had been lately though it was a long shot.
* * * *
The tick of the clock echoed in the still room. Scott ran his hands through his hair again, taking a deep breath as he paced. He’d been escorted here about twenty minutes ago and been told someone would be with him soon. Glancing around the stark room, he wondered if they were watching him behind the mirror. Waiting to see if he’d crack? Like in the cop shows he watched too much of. He’d texted Drew on his way over. Hopefully, his friend could help him figure this out.
He sat in the wooden chair near the table and rested his head in his hands. Since he’d bought the mill building four months ago, too many problems had cropped up. Now this. They hadn’t given him any more information, but seeing the aqua-colored hair on the wrench provided him with some of the answers he needed. The crazy lady from the bar a few days ago. Damn, had it been a set-up? Or was she simply spreading more craziness with anassault story?
The door opened and the two detectives walked in. Thomas moved to the wall near the mirror while Harmon sat across from him putting a folder on the table.
“Mr. Holland, sorry it took awhile. We had a few things we needed toprocess first.”
“You want to tell me whatthis is about?”
The detective pulled out a card and started reading. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”
“Do I need a lawyer here?” Even if Drew did show up, there was no way he could represent him. He worked for the district attorney.
“It’s your right. Do you want one here for questioning?”
“I didn’t do anything, so why would I need one?”
“I’m simply clarifying. You are agreeing to be questioned without an attorney present?”
Nodding his head, Scott wished he had thought about this a bit more. But he wanted the truth out and this over with. He hadn’tdone anything.
“You claim you were in a bar called Jake’s on Wednesday night at about six PM,”Harmon stated.
“Yes, I told you I had one drink with my cousin then went home.”
“And you don’t know a woman namedCarla Findley?”
“No.” The blue-haired lady?
“Surveillance tape at Jake’s says otherwise,” Thomas interrupted, her tone accusatory.
“Is she young with aqua streaks in her hair?”
“Then you do know her?”
“I’d never seen her before that night. And I haven’t seen her since. She stumbled into me then threw a tizzy fit when I tried to keep herfrom falling.”
“That made you mad?”Thomas sneered.
“Not mad, no. I was curious why she was having such a fit. She almost looked afraid and I thought someone might bebothering her.”
“So you followed her out of the bar?”
“No, I paid my tab and left. I never saw her after that.”
