Willie tucked his notebook back into his pocket. “Fine. I’ll just go ask around town. I have two big cases here.” He winked at Claire and then strode out the door into the misty weather. It wasn’t raining yet, but it would be soon. Lost Lake seemed to have more than its fair share of rain, but it made the forest abundant, and a wolf shifter like Seth didn’t mind that.
“Let’s do this,” he muttered.
“Very well.” Colbey gestured him back. Today, the lawman had dressed in dark jeans and a pink button-down shirt. Seth had to give him props. The guy looked decent in pink. He followed him back to the conference room and sat once again. How many times had he been interrogated through the years, anyway? He must havetroublestamped on his forehead.
“I didn’t kill Pete. Nobody killed Pete. Pete fell off a cliff,” he said curtly. “We have two witnesses, and I believe their statements.”
Colbey sat across from him where he’d set three file folders, a legal notepad, and red and blue pens. “I can’t seem to find those witnesses. I don’t suppose they won the lottery also.”
Seth grinned. “No, I don’t suppose they did. I’ll see if I can track them down for you. The mine’s busy right now, and we have a lot of other things going on in the community.”
“Gee, Seth, I’d really appreciate that.” The agent’s sarcasm was heavy. “When you said you owned the town, you weren’t kidding, were you?”
Seth didn’t see any reason to answer that.
“You know, this would be easier if Mia were here. I could use some backup. She can’t just take the day off,” Colbey said unexpectedly.
Seth was accustomed to interrogation tactics and had no problem switching topics. “She’s not feeling well, so she’s taking a sick day. Besides, I think it’d be a conflict of interest for her to interview her fiancé, don’t you?”
At the wordfiancé, Colbey visibly jumped. “I didn’t see a ring on her finger.”
Yeah, Seth should probably find her a ring. In fact, he should probably ask her to marry him. He put it on his mental to-do list—once he killed whoever had shot at them the other night.
Colbey opened a file folder. “I interviewed Dr. Jeremiah Bankston, as well as Rocko Blunt, who both say you killed Pete.”
“Really?” Seth asked. “Did they give you any evidence of that?”
Colbey scanned the papers in front of him. “No, just said that Pete was investigating you, had locked you up earlier in the summer, and seemed to think you were a suspect in the murder of several young women.”
“Actually, I believe Mia solved that case, and the murderer was unfortunately killed.” That one had wrapped up neatly. “So, it wasn’t me, as much as you would like me to be a serial killer.” This was the last time Seth would play nice and be interviewed, but he had to at least make a show of being cooperative.
“Yeah, it’s a pity, but we’ll see,” Colbey said. “I ain’t done with you yet.”
Seth couldn’t help but flash his teeth. “Oh, we’re done when I say I’m done.” His phone buzzed, and he slipped it from his pocket to read a text from Erik.
Contacts in the Copper Pack say they’re making a move on us tonight. Don’t have a reason why, but there’s a chance it’s because we kidnapped Luna, although that wasn’t the feeling of my source. It’s good intel, and we need to be ready.
Seth frowned.
“Problem?” Colbey asked.
“No.” Seth met his gaze with his hand still on his phone. All he needed was a bloody battle with the Copper Pack with the FBI breathing down his neck. “I’ll have the two witnesses to Pete’s accidental death arrange to be interviewed by you later today.” He stood and shoved his phone into his back pocket.
Colbey stiffened. “I’m not finished with you.”
“Too bad.” It looked like Seth had a fight coming his way. “Good luck, Colbey. We’re done.” With that, he strode from the room, already planning a defensive strategy to keep both Mia and the FBI agents far away from any battle.
Hopefully.
Chapter14
Mia was running out of energy but still continued arguing with Erik on her front porch an hour after Seth had left. “I don’t need a bodyguard,” she said for the thousandth time.
Erik shrugged, having ignored her protests all morning. The guy looked tall and intense in the misty day. He certainly appeared as dangerous as any Enforcer should. It was interesting how his hair had darkened just a little as the weather changed. Seth’s hair was dark all the time. “Too bad. Looks like you’ve got one.”
Mia sighed, giving in because she had no choice. It was time to stop procrastinating, as well. Her head was still a little stuffy, and her energy was subpar. One more day and she should feel fine, though. “All right. You haven’t listened to me for hours, and you win. For now. Would you like to come inside, at least?”
“No.” Erik shook his head. “Thanks. I’m going to scout the area again. Just stay in for the rest of the day, would you?”
