“Unless Eddy Johnson is the killer. He was convicted, right?”
Jeremiah snorted. “Yeah. He was convicted in a little courthouse in town, without much legal help, and then sent here. A nice, tidy, quick little situation.”
“Did he do it?” Mia asked.
Jeremiah faltered. “As I said, he’s a patient, and I can’t discuss his care. You know that, Deputy Stone.”
She rubbed her hands down her chilled arms. “Hypothetically, in this situation, do you think a person like Eddy could’ve done it?”
Jeremiah tacked his ID to his belt. “In your hypothetical, the answer is no. I do not think a person like Eddy would be the actual murderer.”
Fascinating. “Do you think Eddy belongs here in this hospital?”
“Yeah, or I’d discharge him. That’s as much as I’m willing to discuss a current patient with you.” Jeremiah smiled, his teeth perfectly even. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to have dinner with me? I’m a great cook, or we could try a new restaurant on the other side of town. It’s called Murphy’s, and the food looks delicious.”
“My dance card is a little full right now, but it’s kind of you to ask.” She gave in and shoved her freezing hands into her pockets. “Who do you think committed the recent murders?” The man was a trained psychologist with ties to the town, so maybe he had an idea.
“If I knew, I’d tell you.” He met her gaze evenly, his body relaxed, and the look in his eyes thoughtful. “If Seth committed the early murders, or even just one of them, then the question would be, why start again now? What does he need to hide now? If not Seth, then who?” Jeremiah unfolded his overcoat from his arm. “I’ve always thought his brother was an incredibly angry person.”
Mia blinked. She’d seen charming, popular, and slightly goofy in Erik. “How so?”
“Erik has a good-natured façade, but I’ve seen him lose his temper more than once. It’s terrifying.” Jeremiah stepped back as the door began to open. “The guy tore apart a gym one time at the school. They lost a basketball game, and I heard he ripped one row of bleachers out of the wall all by himself. He would’ve been too young to commit the earlier murders, but I’d take a hard look at him now. He’s not quite right.”
Did teenaged wolves have trouble dealing with anger? She couldn’t imagine normal hormones plus wolf traits. Tearing bleachers away from a wall might be normal in that case. Mia stepped away as Pete strode outside, his frown cutting grooves into his already lined forehead. Apparently the nurse had given him problems.
Jeremiah held the door open wider. “Well, I have to get to work. If you ever want to meet and chat, please give me a call. That dinner invitation will remain open.”
“I appreciate your take on the situation, and I might be calling you for more information.” She just needed to figure out what to ask him.
“Anytime.” He pulled on his coat, and something heavy dropped from the other pocket to hit the cement walkway.
Silver handcuffs stamped by Volk Mining.
“Lucky those didn’t hit our feet. It hurts.” Jeremiah leaned down and grabbed the cuffs, tucking them into his pocket once again.
Mia barely kept herself from reaching for her gun. It looked like she’d just found another suspect. “Why do you have those cuffs?”
His smile failed to reach his eyes. “This is a dangerous job and a dangerous town, Deputy Stone. I believe you already know that fact.”
Chapter31
Irritation pricked Seth’s skin like wasps, and he pressed the button to roll down the window in the truck as he drove. The day had turned chilly, and he wanted to feel the bite. After searching the Barnby farm, he’d insisted on driving home, and Erik hadn’t given him much of an argument. Pine trees flew by outside, and the thick weight of late summer hung in the air with a hint of smoke from wildfires a state away.
In the passenger seat, Erik calmly rolled down his window, stretched out his legs, and sighed. “Your mate probably knew that the Barnbys wouldn’t be home.”
“I’m aware.” Seth’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. He’d wasted two hours searching the Barnby farm, and nobody had been anywhere around. A neighbor had finally said that the brothers had been called into the police station, and wasn’t that a pisser? The humans had gotten involved. Yeah, Seth was blamed for situations like that. He was the Enforcer, after all. Life was going to shit, and control was outside his grasp.
“I like her.” Erik cracked his knuckles.
Seth jolted out of his thoughts and turned to look at his brother. When had he gotten so big? So muscled? The guy was solid with a broad chest in a blue T-shirt that led to ripped jeans. He looked like an Alpha. “You do?”
Erik nodded. “Yeah. She’s smart and loyal. But man, she’s fragile.” His lips pursed.
“Not for a human. She’s trained,” Seth said, awareness settling across his shoulders.
“I wasn’t talking physically,” Erik murmured, watching the dirt road in front of them.
Seth slowed down for a couple of potholes the size of small Buicks. Sometimes, he forgot how insightful Erik could be. “How so?”
