Huck sucked down a quad-latte like it was water as he sat across from Officer Frank Zello in the dismal Fish and Wildlife interrogation room. It felt as if cold air actually swept across his feet, but he kept his expression as pissed off as he was feeling right now. “So let me get this straight. You’re going the extra mile and driving by a possible victim’s home, and then you end up getting drunk and engaging in sex with said victim?”
Zello sighed. “Yeah. Believe me, she didn’t seem like a victim.” He lifted his hands. “It’s no defense, I know. But she asked me in, offered me wine, and then we started talking and really connected.” His mustache was a distraction and his eyes were seriously bloodshot. Apparently he hadn’t slept much. “One thing led to another, as you know, and I spent the night.” He leaned forward, one large hand pressed against the table. “She’s incredible. Brilliant and beautiful.” His gaze moved to Laurel, who sat at Huck’s right. “Stunning.”
“Okay.” Laurel wiped her hands up her face and dug her fingertips into her forehead. Then she sat back. “You’re a trained officer. Give me a hypothetical of how shecould havegotten out of the house to go attack Rachel without your knowing it.”
He shook his head. “There’s no way. We slept in the same bed, and I would’ve felt her move. Besides, she’s not that kind of a person.”
“What?” Laurel asked.
His shoulders hunched and he quickly shot them back. “Abigail is smart, sure. But she’s also sweet and just wants a relationship with you. It hurts her that you won’t give her a chance.”
Huck swore—almost beneath his breath. “You’re not thinking with the head on your shoulders.”
Laurel visibly attempted to keep the interrogation on track. “You were drunk and passed out. It’s okay to admit that.”
“I’m also a cop and would’ve known if the woman in my arms left not only the bed but the house.” His chin set at a stubborn angle. “She’s right. I’m smart and am not reaching my full potential. I’d make an excellent investigator.”
Abigail had apparently really gotten into the man’s head. Based on the number of wine bottles Laurel had reported seeing, they’d been severely impaired. Or rather, he had been. But Abigail might’ve drugged him as well. Though Huck couldn’t see any evidence of that in his face.
“Do we have your permission to have your blood tested?” Laurel asked.
The officer stilled and then clenched his teeth. “No.”
“Why not?” Huck asked.
“Because we live in the United States, and I don’t have to give my blood up to anybody,” the officer snapped. “This is bullshit and I’m not playing along.”
Huck kicked his chair back. “I don’t give a shit if you’ve smoked pot, Officer. That’s not what we’re looking for in your blood.”
“I don’t care. It’s my blood and you’re totally off base even suspecting Abigail of something like this. I won’t be a part of it.” He stood.
Laurel’s stunning eyes narrowed. “How long did your affair with Sharon Lamber last?”
Zello froze.
Huck motioned for him to retake his seat.
Zello sank back down, his shoulders lowering in defeat, his eyes weary. “It lasted for three weeks and was exciting. Then I discovered that she was married, although separated, and I ended it. When I did so, she laughed at me. Said that I was one of about twenty men she was experimenting with in the sack, boasted that she was in her sexual prime or whatever. I figured I got out in time and thanked the good Lord for that.” He frowned. “How did you find out?”
“There are pictures,” Huck drawled.
Zello’s mouth dropped open. “Pictures of me sleeping with the mayor’s sister-in-law?”
“Naked sex pictures,” Huck affirmed.
Officer Zello dropped his chin to his chest. “I had no idea. She had a camera set up?”
Laurel cut Huck a look. “You didn’t know?”
“Of course I didn’t know,” Zello snapped. “I don’t want sex pictures of me out there. Someday I want to be sheriff and maybe even governor.”
Huck coughed. “A charge of hindering an investigation would probably hurt your prospects.” He let himself smile. “Or not. These days, in this political climate, who knows? Might help you get those jobs.”
“I didn’t say anything about Sharon because it’s irrelevant to the case, and because I wanted to remain on the case.” He tugged at the end of his handlebar mustache. “Then I saw Abigail and wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. To have an excuse to see her.” He shrugged.
Huck kept his bored facade in place. “Sounds like stalking to me. Agent Snow? Is that stalking?”
“That could be considered stalking,” Laurel agreed. “Officer Zello, my concern is that you’ve engaged in sexual relations with two out of the victims of this serial killer. You’re also the only person who ever took a police report from Charlene Rox. That leaves Dr. Christine Franklin. Right now, tell us of any connection you had with her. She was a cardiologist.”
