Page 186 of Renard's Deliverance

What were they all doing here?

“What the fuck is going on?” Renard snarled.

“Look, all of you need to leave.” Eli scowled at everyone. “This is an ongoing investigation that has nothing to do with any of you.”

“What investigation?” she asked.

Eli turned to her, his exasperation clear. “That’s what we need to talk to you about.”

All of the neighbors were coming out of their houses to watch and listen.

“What investigation?” Renard demanded.

“I cannot say here.” Eli glanced around with a sigh. “Opal, you need to come with us.”

“Am I under arrest?” she asked.

There was silence.

“We need to ask you some questions. If you refuse, then . . .” Eli trailed off as Renard moved between them.

“You are not arresting my woman! Jake, what the fuck is this?”

“They really need to talk to you, Opal,” Jake told her gently. “I’ll come too. I’ll be with you the entire time.”

“Jardin is on his way,” Alec said. “He’s a couple of hours late. Say nothing until he gets here.”

Eli seemed to grind his teeth together.

“Jardin?” she asked.

Lilac and Ryleigh moved to flank her. Ryleigh took hold of her hand.

“He’s the best damn lawyer in the state,” Clem said, standing to the side with a chicken in her arms and a pig next to her. A huge fucking pig. How had that thing gotten in and out of her truck? “Course, you wanna make a run for it, Butter Chicken will help. I’d be careful, Mr. FBI agent. This chicken is a real killer.”

Butter Chicken squawked in agreement.

“Dear God,” Eli muttered, tilting his face to the sky. “Why am I back in this crazy fucking town?”

“Would be nice if sometimes you just came to visit family,” Duncan muttered.

Laken went to him and wrapped herself around him. Remington followed her.

“I’m guessing you think Opal did something,” Mrs. G stated. “But she couldn’t have.”

“Why not?” Kellan asked, looking confused.

“Because she was with me that day,” Mrs. G said. “So she couldn’t have done whatever it is you think she did.”

Whoa.

Had Mrs. G really just lied to an FBI agent?

That could get her into big trouble.

And Opal still wanted to know why they wanted to question her.

Eli scowled. “It’s an offense to give a false statement to a member of law enforcement. That can lead to charges.”

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