Nausea swirled through her belly. “I’m fine. Probably fighting the flu.”
“Oh.” Pete stepped back. A rueful smile slid across his face. “Keep your distance, then. I don’t need to get sick.”
Mia rolled her eyes and opened the door to the small room. Worn bricks lined all four walls, and the only window was a small square in the door. The room also lacked surveillance equipment, unlike larger city or FBI interrogation rooms.
Barnby sat cuffed to the table, a bored expression on his face. At seeing her, his jaw dropped open.
She shut the door and took a seat across the scarred wooden table. Reaching into her pocket, she drew out her phone to place it on the table. But she didn’t push the record button. “Surprise, Frank.”
He jerked back, his cuffed hands jingling the silver.
Mia smirked at the pure silver cuffs. “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be you, Barnby. Attempted murder of a police officer carries additional jail time in Washington. Jail time away from pretty Lost Lake and its big moon.”
His gaze hardened. “You didn’t see me.”
“Nope, but I heard you and am more than willing to testify about it.” She dropped the manila file on the table. “So is Seth.”
All color slid from Barnby’s face.
Mia pursed her lips. “Oh, yeah. Seth is alive, too. He smelled you and heard you right before you lit his home on fire.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “You know, I feel like he’s more infuriated by the fact that you tried to kill me, since he made that archaic claim that I was under his protection.”
Barnby swayed.
“Yep. Is it a big deal to kill someone’s woman in your society?” She opened her eyes wider, going for his jugular. She didn’t like it, but she knew how to get to him. “Seth and his daddy are pretty darn pissed at you. Your job at the mine is probablyterminated.” As was his life, if Seth had anything to say about it.
Barnby shook his head. “You don’t understand. I can’t go to jail. I need to leave town and now.”
“Oh, Idounderstand.” Mia leaned toward him, lowering her voice. Maybe this would work, maybe not. “Take a whiff.”
His forehead crinkled as he frowned and inhaled deeply. Shock froze him in place. “Holy shit.”
Her body warmed. “I’m your only way out of here. Talk to me.”
Then he threw back his head and laughed, the sound obnoxious in the small room. “This is awesome.”
Mia kept her face a calm mask. He was laughing? She couldn’t let him know he’d just thrown her, so she remained perfectly still. “How so?”
Barnby glanced at the closed door and leaned toward her. “The Volk family Enforcer mating a human? Not only a human, but a cop? Hisdaddywill rip out his throat before the next sunrise.”
Mia’s vision wavered as a blast of nausea ripped through her stomach. “Seth can take care of himself.”
Barnby tilted his head to the side. “You feeling okay, bitch? Looks like the transition is starting.”
“Never felt better,” Mia said calmly, swallowing to shove bile back down her throat. “It’s my understanding that the risk is to the human when she mates a wolf. Right?”
Barnby shrugged. “Wolves mate wolves—especially Alphas. Somebody like you would weaken the bloodline, which weakens the entire pack. Of course, Seth will never be Alpha, so you probably just tied yourself to a dead man. Even if Ben doesn’t kill him today, he will eventually—or Erik will when he takes over…which more than ever will happen now. Even Seth’s supporters will turn away now that he’s mated…you.”
Sweat sprang up along her spine. The tissues in her throat thickened. “You do realize that not only did you commit attempted murder of a cop last night, you tried to slaughter Seth’s mate. Alpha or not, he’ll kill you.” As she forced out the words, the truth of them chilled her blood. Yet satisfaction filled her as Barnby paled again.
He sniffed, his gaze darting around the narrow room. “I want my lawyer.”
“You can call him.” Mia stood and locked her knees to keep from falling over. “You have one chance. Work with me, and I’ll protect you.”
Muddy brown eyes took her measure. “Work with you how?”
“Tell me who killed Ruby and Mandy.”
His face hardened. “What exactly do you think an Enforcer does?” Barnby’s lip twisted. “You sure you want to know?”
