“And she was injured?”
“Yes, she was covered in blood. She said someone was chasing her—”
“Was she out of breath?”
“Yes.” I sigh. I prefer Jerry’s method of questioning where he barely asks any questions. “Not even thirty seconds later, the guy—the one I shot—came out of the woods.”
“Did he say anything?”
“I told him not to move and he said something about how their little game had come to an end. Like he’d been hunting her.” Tanner nods, then writes something down.
“Did he say anything else?”
“He said we could share her.”
“And then you shot him?”
“I warned him not to come any closer and when he did, I shot him.” I swallow, ignoring the fact that the kickback bruise on my shoulder is still aching.
Tanner goes on. “When was the last time you fired your weapon?”
“Maybe two months ago, down at the range.”
“You ever have to use it up in the woods?”
“Just once. A bear came after my dog, but a warning shot scared it away.”
“Was your dog present last night?”
“Yes.”
“Did he touch either the victim or the deceased?”
“No. I shoved him into the bathroom. You can ask Jerry. He was still in the bathroom when him and the boys went up.” They’re not dragging Titus into this.
The door opens then and Lightfoot walks in and sits in the open chair next to Tanner. I can’t wait to see who’s going to be the bad cop.
“Shep,” she says.
“Shepard works fine,” I say.
“Shepard. What can you tell me about Miles Cade?”
“Not much. All she told me was that her brother was back at the campsite. They were both attacked and he told her to run.”
“So you didn’t go back down to the campsite to check on him?” Lightfoot asks, her frown adding a little extra guilt to the accusation.
“No. I had a woman who was in clear need of medical attention. She didn’t mention her brother until we were halfway down the mountain.”
“In your truck.”
“Yes.”
“From the looks of your cabin, there must have been a lot of blood in your truck. When did you clean it?” Lightfoot asks.
“This morning before I came down. I went to the diner for breakfast.”
“So we have the timeline clear. You’re in bed. Miss Cade shows up at your door. You fire on the deceased, then bring Miss Cade down to the emergency room in Quinten,” Tanner says.
