Page 45 of Secret Stalker

Bex sighed. “That picture is karma I suppose, telling me it’s time to face my past.” She laughed nervously.

Max’s gut clenched with dread. This was suddenly one conversation he did not want to have with a station full of cops listening.

“Miss Kane,” the chief said as he stopped beside Max. “Thank you for finally coming in. Let’s go right to the interview room. We have a lot to discuss.”

She swallowed and looked past him to the room at the front left corner of the station, a wide window clearly showing the table and chairs inside. “O-okay.”

Thornton smiled like a Cheshire cat and crossed the room. He held the door to the interview room open and waved his other hand for Bex to join him.

She started toward him.

“No.” Max stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

She frowned. “Max, it’s okay. This is what I expected to happen. I can’t hide from the past forever. I need to tell you what happened the night that—”

“Shut up, Bex.”

Her eyes widened with surprise.

“Now listen here,” Thornton half shouted from across the room. “Sounds like Miss Kane has important information pertinent to our investigation. You need to be very careful about what you’re doing, son.”

Max ignored his boss. He frowned down at Bex. “You need to go back home. Now.”

She shook her head, apparently trying to be brave even though she was trembling. “I can’t. You’re in danger. Don’t you see? And it’s my fault. I have to tell you what I—”

“Not one more word.” He grabbed her hand and hauled her toward the exit.