Connor crossed the room in three hard strides, grabbed Carl by the back of the head and shoulder, and shoved him down into the leather chair in front of the desk.
“Sit down.”
Carl’s face flushed.“You can’t do that!”
“Watch me.”
Carl tried to rise.Connor shoved him back, then caught the lapels of his robe and yanked him forward until they were nearly nose to nose.
Fear showed then.Pure and ugly.
Connor heard his own breathing.Too loud.Too close.Some reasonable part of him knew Selena had been right.This was why she had wanted to come.This was why he should have let her.
That knowledge did not loosen his grip.Vic’s dead body flashed before his eyes.
“If you had anything to do with Victor’s death,” Connor said, “I will find out.”
Carl swallowed.“I swear I didn’t.”
“One tiny breadcrumb leading to you, and I’ll be there.Do you understand?”
“I had nothing to do with it.”
Connor pulled him another inch closer.The urge to hit him came so strong it almost felt physical, like someone had put a tool in his hand and asked him to use it.Carl’s face filled his vision.The expensive tan.The frightened eyes.The mouth that had insulted Victor before the body had even cooled.
Connor held himself there, right at the edge, then let go.
Carl dropped back into the chair.
“We’ll see,” Connor said.“I’ll send a deputy around to collect your security footage.See if you really were here the night of the murder.”
“I… I’ll sue you for this!”
Connor glared.“It’s my word against yours.Besides, if you do, you won’t have to answer to me.Do you know who youwillhave to answer to?”
Fear glistened in Carl’s eyes.“Who?”
Connor leaned in.“Walton Morimer.”
The room went quiet except for Carl’s uneven breath.His expression froze.The outrage drained away, replaced by calculation.Connor watched him weigh one disaster against another.
It was a bluff.But one that Connor knew would work.Carl was scared.
“Okay… Okay, just get the hell out of here!”
Connor stepped away, adjusted his shirt cuffs, and looked once around the study.Books bought in sets.Framed awards.A photograph of Carl shaking hands with a governor who probably did not remember him.
“I better leave,” Connor said.“This place smells like piss.”
Carl said nothing.
At the door, Connor paused with his hand on the knob.The rage had begun to drain, leaving something colder and harder to deny beneath it.
He had overstepped.Connor wondered if he was even in control.Vic’s dead face flashed before his eyes.Connor knew he was compromised all right.Duty meant so much to him.It always had since he took his oath to the people of Harlan County.
For the first time in his career, the badge felt less important than the man who had worn it.
Selena’s voice came back to him.Right now, I don’t know what you’re going to do.
