Page 67 of The Perfect Divorce

“That’s actually a perfect segue.” I step aside and hold an arm open. “Olson, could you fill us in on the background check you pulled on Carissa Brooks?”

“Sure thing, Sheriff.” She steps forward and opens the folder in her hand. “Ms. Brooks had a permanent protective order in place against her ex, George Carrigan. That PPO expired less than two years ago, but an extension was granted. However, it came too late because George attacked Carissa in the interim and ended up putting her in the hospital. He was sent to prison for battery but served only a third of his sentence. He received early release due to good behavior three weeks ago.”

“When’s the extended PPO set to expire?” I ask.

Olson flips a page. “Next month.”

“Do we know if Carissa filed a motion requesting to extend the order?” I furrow my brow.

She shakes her head. “I couldn’t find anything filed with the court.”

“Has Carissa’s ex had any recent contact with her?” Lantz asks.

Olson and I exchange a look but neither of us has an answer.

“I feel like that guy is suspect numero uno,” Lantz adds.

The door of the briefing room opens, and Nagel slips in wearing a pleased look on his face, like he’s got something good to share.

“You’re right, Sergeant Lantz. Given his history with Ms. Brooks, George Carrigan is a person of interest, so we’ll need to bring him in for questioning.”

“Already ahead of ya, boss.” Nagel steps forward. “Several of Carissa’s employees and friends mentioned her ex, so I contacted his parole officer and informed her of the situation. George is sitting in Interrogation Room One as we speak.”

“Excellent work. Before we adjourn, any updates on the Stevens case?” I ask.

“No, sir, unfortunately not,” he says. “We’re still conducting interviews with those who made death threats toward Ryan online, and we’re in the process of reviewing traffic cams in the area surrounding the hospital. But with Stevens’s murder, Howard’s disappearance, the reopening of the Summers case, and now the Carissa Brooks investigation, we’re stretched really thin.”

There are nods all around, and I take in the faces of my officers. Most of them sport dark circles and heavy bags around or under their eyes. They all have cups of coffee or energy drinks set out in front of them.

“I know you’re all exhausted. Believe me, I am too, but we’ve got people’s lives depending on us. So, try to push through, just for a little longer. BCI is assisting on the Stevens, Howard, and Brooks investigations, but we are the lead on them. I’ll see if I can get us more support. I appreciate all your hard work. Keep it up. Let’s get these cases solved, and let’s bring Howard and Brooks home.”

The entire room erupts, and much of the energy we’ve lost due to exhaustion and lack of progress is back, at least for now. Chairs scrape across the floor as my team gets to their feet. There are cheers and chants oflet’s do thisandwe got this,along with high fives and pats on the back.It’s exactly what we need right now.

I turn to Olson. She smiles, pleased with my little motivational speech. “Wanna come with me and have a chat with George?”

“I think I’d like to do more than just chat with him,” she says, narrowing her eyes.

I feel the same way. Men who lay their hands on women are the scum of the earth, and it’s going to take everything in me not to do to him what he did to Carissa.

Through the two-way mirror, we can see George Carrigan sitting at the table in Interrogation Room One, dressed in a white tee, ripped jeans, and a pair of combat boots. A black leather jacket is hung on the back of his chair, and his blond hair is pulled into a tight ponytail.

“Someone here fancies themselves a big tough biker,” I say to Olson.

“Nah. Check out the ponytail, wouldn’t fit under a helmet.” She smirks.

We enter the room, and I let Chief Deputy Olson take a seat across from the man while I stand in the corner. He has a history of abusing women, so I want to see how he handles being interrogated by one.

“Morning, George. Thanks for coming in to talk with us,” Olson says.

“Part of my parole requirements are that I cooperate with you people anytime you ask, so I didn’t have much of a choice.” He glares at her.

“Well, we appreciate it all the same.” She’s keeping the tone light... for now. “When was the last time you had contact with Carissa Brooks?”

George leans back in his chair, squinting his left eye and curling his lip. “I’m not allowed to talk to her or be near her, otherwise they’ll throw me right back in jail.”

“Yes, we’re aware of the restrictions concerning the protective order against you. Care to tell us more about that?”

“No.”

---