“Since we don’t exactly know the time and place of death, you’d have to give me more information,” Nick said smoothly. “I’m sure I have several alibis for that time, but you need to nail down the timeline.”
Pierce’s gaze narrowed. “I’m asking about the night your father and Imogen disappeared. Maybe during that weekend. Do you have an alibi for that time?”
“It’s well known that I was camping with my brothers,” Nick said.
“Did anybody else see you?” Pierce asked.
I pulled on Nick’s good arm, wondering belatedly how his arrow wound was healing. Mine was much better, at least if the stitches didn’t pull. “That’s all the information we’re willing to give up at this time, Detective Pierce.”
It was one thing to speak and give Pierce details he already knew, especially since we’d gleaned some facts in return, but Nick needed to be quiet now. There was a reason suspects had a right to remain silent. Nick needed to do so right now.
I cleared my throat. “We’re leaving now. We have to find Violet.”
Nick stilled as if he’d forgotten about the girl. “Of course, yes. Let’s go.” He stood and looked at Pierce. “Was there any other DNA found at the scene?”
Pierce lifted his chin. “Your attorney needs to make a request for evidence.”
“I will,” I said.
Nick smiled. “There’s other DNA. Blood?”
Pierce clicked the cameras off. “Yes. Can’t be identified. But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Nick’s face looked like it had been carved from granite. “Thanks.”
We walked out with chills sliding down my back. Tessa met us in the hallway, her gaze concerned. Nick gave her a sharp nod and said, “Let’s go.”
I could almost feel the distance starting to widen between them. He was going to be an idiot and push her away in an effort to protect her from everything about to come. Damn it. I wished he’d been able to propose at the basketball game. That was the third time we’d failed. Apparently, bad things did come in threes.
We walked down to the main floor, and cameras instantly started snapping.
Jolene O’Sullivan elbowed her way in front of several other reporters, shoving her microphone toward Nick. “Prosecutor Basanelli, is it true you were just arrested for killing your father?”
I was wrong. Bad things came in fours.
Chapter27
Sunday morning arrived after Aiden and I had grabbed about three hours of sleep. The family was pretty much sleeping in shifts on both sides of the mountain pass while searching for Violet. Her situation had hit the front page of the newspaper, on the bottom fold beneath Nick’s case—which held center stage. There was a picture of us walking down the police steps with Detective Pierce.
The headline read:Prosecuting Attorney Gets Special Treatment in Murder Case. The byline, of course, was by Jolene O’Sullivan.
I didn’t think she truly understood the enemies she made with that statement. Nonna Albertini had already ordered a special wooden spoon with Jolene’s name on it. Besides, Nick qualified for the judicial review, and Judge Williams was as honest as they came. So when the reporters started calling me, I ignored them. I had nothing to say.
Aiden dressed quickly, as did I, and we headed out to his living room. It was just the two of us this morning since everybody had scattered to their own places to either sleep or regroup before searching some more.
“I had the witness in the missile case brought up today instead of tomorrow,” Aiden said. “I figured since we had the guy in custody, we should just get a move on it now, especially since Nick was just arrested for the murder. The sooner I figure out what’s happening, the better.”
“You know there’s a chance the two cases aren’t related,” I said, having stared at my murder board on the laundry room wall for over fifteen minutes. I still needed to buy pencils to start labeling everything.
He finished his mug of coffee. “I think it’s entirely possible the two aren’t related, but I don’t like the timing. How about you stick with me today?”
Ah. The over-protective gene was back. “I’d rather search for Violet. I’m armed and I’ll make sure I’m safe.”
He sighed. “I think you’re safe for now. Even if the main Cupid knows where we live, nobody is out there now, and I’ll make sure we’re not followed.” He glanced at his watch. “You can drop me at my office. Keep your gun with you, and don’t hesitate if you need to use it. Got it?”
I glanced at the clock. “When is your guy getting to town?”
“He should be there later this afternoon. I need to prepare for the interview and go through all of his work history, do a deep dive on his internet usage, and investigate his classified searches in each database. Unless you want me with you today.”
