“Sorry, I’m late,” she apologized.
“No worries, Markie, we’re just getting started,” Mertz said.
Chief Mertz sat down next to the chief deputy, and Markie sat next to him.
“Emma, start from the beginning. How did you come to leave Cap’s house? Take your time. The more details, the better,” Mertz said.
She cleared her throat and rested her nervous hands on her lap. She wanted Cap’s hand to be holding hers, but he kept them linked together on the table. It probably wouldn’t look good if he were caught touching her in a romantic way.
When she finished informing the chiefs and investigator what happened, they asked her a few more questions, making her realize she’d forgotten to mention some details. They asked her to tell the story again. She did as requested, only this time adding the information she realized she’d forgotten during the first go around.
“You’re doing a great job, Emma. This is good information,” Chief Mertz said.
The man sounded as if he meant it.
“Yes, great job,” Chief Deputy Styles added.
When Markie nodded in agreement, Emma felt relieved that they believed her.
“Can I ask a question?” she asked.
“Sure.”
She saw Cap tense up as if he knew what she was about to ask.
“I’ve told you I think there were three Colombians there and that maybe two had been shot.”
Mertz nodded.
“Did either survive?”
“No.”
That news should make her happy, but recalling that she’d probably run one of them over sent the contents of her stomach swirling.
“It was the gunshot wounds?”
“Yes. Rest assured, it was,” Chief Deputy Styles replied.
“So I didn’t…”
“Ma’am, the man on the driver’s side of the vehicle was shot in the forehead. I can assure you that the injury killed him.”
Styles and Cap stared at each other for a moment before Cap offered a slight nod.
Styles’ phone buzzed, and he looked at it.
“They’ve located the truck, and it’s being towed to the county impound,” Styles said.
“Perfect,” Mertz replied.
“We should talk about next steps,” Styles said to Mertz.
“Yes, Markie, take Emma to the small conference room while we discuss this.”
Investigator Pearson-Hawk rose and motioned for her to follow.
Emma looked at Cap. He didn’t make a move to stand.
