“Really? No self-defense, huh?” Scott asked. What a moron.
“No. I think these two incidents are tied together.” He looked at Millie. “You lured Clay to his cabin and murdered him. I know that your career with the HDD isn’t going well. I read in the paper how you two screwed up your last case. I think you took it out on Clay for some unknown reason.”
Was this guy any good in court? “What about the three dead guys?” Scott asked, truly curious.
“I don’t know, but I think somehow you set them up too. I will find a tie between you and those men,” he said to Millie. “That I promise you.”
“You seem confident,” Scott said, going on instinct as he prodded for more information.
The prosecuting attorney smiled, revealing canines too long for his mouth. “Oh, I have a witness.”
“What kind of witness?” Millie asked.
Scott cut her a look. She looked right back at him, defiance glimmering in her eyes.
“I have a witness who saw you making out with the deceased the night of his death,” Skinner said, his smile widening until he was all teeth. “Not only that, but this same witness was good friends with Clay and knew that you two met up once in a while.”
“Really?” Scott frowned. “They met up once in a while?” He repeated the words slowly. “Could you add a little more detail than that in case we end up in trial?”
“I can, but I won’t. Except it’s so good. This witness saw you get into a fight with Clay the night of his murder,” Skinner said. “I don’t have to tell you anything else right now, but believe me, this witness is extremely credible.” He looked at Millie. “So I’m going to give you one chance and one chance only to revise your statement.”
She crossed her arms and glared at him.
“There’ll be no revision,” Scott said. “You might want to turn this case over to somebody not emotionally involved.”
“Not in a million years,” Skinner said. “Enjoy your freedom while you have it, Agent Frost.” He stormed out of the room.
The chief looked at Scott, then at Millie. “Tell me you don’t have any ties to these men.”
“I don’t,” Millie said, leaning forward to study the photographs. She tapped the picture labeled as Henry Halcomb. “There’s something about him, though.”
Scott’s gut started to drop. “What?”
She peered closer. “I don’t know. We need to find out everything we can about him. Maybe I’ve seen him before?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Millie zipped her coat as she walked down the sidewalk with Scott at her side. He radiated a stalwart presence as he blocked the wind from chilling her. How easily she could become accustomed to him. Not only sexy and brilliant, but the man was downright likeable.
She forced her mind from the hottie next to her and surveyed her hometown. Excitement already buzzed in the small community on this quiet Wednesday. Colorful banners announcing the River City Fishing Derby already hung from every light post.
Artisans had already begun building their makeshift booths down several of the side alleys, hoping to sell everything from fishing equipment to crystals that brought magic and good luck.
“It looks like the Derby is going into full swing,” Scott said, settling his arm over her shoulders. She sank into the feel of him against her but didn’t want to explore her emotions at this moment. Her brain whirred with too many problems, and the idea that she could be facing prison time sent chills down her spine.
She shook herself out of her fear-based thoughts. “Yeah, we usually make a pretty good income with the Derby,” she replied. “I don’t want Aunt Mae to take out any of the scheduled charters, so I’ll need to handle those.”
Scott frowned. “You’re not going without me. You’ve been shot at enough lately.”
She chewed on her lip. “I’m concerned about our clientele as well.”
He opened the door to the Rapid Water Diner, which already held a full-length poster announcing the prizes for the Derby. They ranged from custom-designed fishing poles to cold, hard cash. “You’re concerned one of our enemies scheduled a charter?”
“No,” she said. The tempting aroma of fresh apple pie instantly assailed her. “I’m more worried someone will shoot at us from a bank and hit one of our clients.” She had a duty to keep them safe.
“That’s a good point.” Scott escorted her to the counter. “Let’s grab lunch, then go figure it out.”
Millie smiled as June bustled from the kitchen with a pot of coffee in her hand.
