He looked me over and then turned toward Aiden. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Aiden sighed.
Pierce set his hand on the butt of the gun at his waist. “You’re a Special Agent in Charge of an ATF SRT?”
Wow. That sounded pretty impressive. “What’s SRT?” I asked.
“Special Response Teams,” Aiden and Saber said at the same time.
Then Aiden stepped toward Pierce. “Yeah. I am. Sorry you can’t arrest me.”
Pierce took a step toward Aiden. “Me, too. Have you ever heard of professional courtesy? That if the ATF is conducting an op in a local jurisdiction that they let the locals in on the action? You know? So we don’t accidentally shoot them?”
“It was a three-year op,” Aiden said.
Pierce lowered his chin and looked every bit as pissed off as he sounded. “I want the guys you rounded up at the camp. Unlike you, I still have a crime to solve.”
Aiden’s expression didn’t change. In fact, it didn’t reveal anything. “Not a problem. They’ll be made available to you as soon as we’re done processing them. I am more than happy to work with local authorities, Pierce.”
Pierce pivoted to look at me. “I need to interview you.”
“Not yet,” Aiden said. “She needs rest.”
“She can speak for herself,” I said quietly. “I’m fine being interviewed, Grant. It might be better while it’s all fresh in my mind.” Especially the part about clearing my sister of the murder.
Pierce took a notepad out of his shirt pocket and moved to claim Aiden’s vacated seat.
More footsteps announced the arrival of another person, and Nick barreled into the room. “What the hell, Anna? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I don’t work for you any longer,” I reminded him. Even so, it was nice he’d shown up.
His brown eyes narrowed. “I know, but even so, as the prosecuting attorney of Elk County, I’d like to interview you about this.”
I swept my arm toward the other vacant chair since Saber had decided to lean against the wall. “Join the club.” Maybe I could call Tessa to come and see me.
Aiden looked my face over and his jaw tightened. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Then Saber is going to stay and interview you for the ATF,” Aiden said. “At least about the kidnapping and your dealings with Pucci.”
Saber nodded. “I already was interviewed about the shooting. I think they’re waiting for you, anyway. We’re using the police station’s conference room.”
The sound Pierce made reminded me of a ticked off grizzly bear. They had a distinct snapping sound of frustration when they tried to intimidate other animals away from food sources. He looked at me and his gaze softened. “Are you sure you’re up to this? We could wait until later.”
“I’m fine. Let’s do this.” I kept the blanket covering me in the hospital gown.
Aiden reached the doorway. “Call me when you’re released and I’ll take you home, Angel.” Then he was gone.
Saber grinned, making his almost black eyes dance. “He’s a charmer, right?”
“Right.” I settled my hands on the blanket. “What’s your real name, anyway?”
“Saber,” he said. “Well, that’s my last name. My real name is James Saber. It’s easy to have an undercover name when it’s really your name.”
Now that made sense. “Okay. Let me have it. When we’re finished, Grant, please go interview Aiden in his capacity as an ATF agent about Danny’s death. His word should carry some weight that my sister arrived at her apartment after Danny was shot.”
“Fine,” Grant said. “For now, start at the beginning.”
