Page 24 of So Savage

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” Faith challenged.

“When was the last time you spoke with Master Sergeant Reeves and Staff Sergeant Walsh?”

Daniel shrugged.“I call them every now and then, just to remind them that they’re both little bitches.I think the last time I did that was about two weeks ago.”

Faith and Marcus shared a look.“Are you saying that you harassed Master Sergeant Reeves and Staff Sergeant Walsh on a regular basis, Mr.Ross?”

Daniel shrugged again.With his arms crossed and his chin jutting forward, he looked like a toddler on the verge of a tantrum.“I was just telling them what they already knew deep down.Those guys are a disgrace to their service.The military needs men, not little pathetic assholes who cry every time they see a dog get smacked.”

Marcus nodded.“All right.In that case, Mr.Ross, please turn around and put your hands behind your back for me.”

Daniel flinched backwards.“What?No!I told you I didn’t kill them!”

“You admitted to criminally harassing them,” Marcus replied.

“Because I called them little bitches?”

“Believe it or not, the State of Minnesota frowns upon continued verbal harassment, especially when it involves harassment of a witness in a criminal investigation.”

“But that case was closed!”Daniel protested.

“And you were found guilty,” Marcus reminded him.“And those two were the principal witnesses for the prosecution.Harassment can occur at any time, even after a conviction.Now, turn around and put your hands behind your back, or we’re going to have to do this the hard way.”

Daniel’s eyes shifted to the left.He bared his teeth and growled, “Caesar!Sic ‘em!”

Caesar shrank back behind Turk.Turk licked his face again, then growled at Daniel.Faith smiled at the shocked Daniel.“Looks like Caesar’s made a new friend.”

“Worthless damned dog.”

Faith gave Daniel a humorless smile.“Don’t worry about him.We’ll contact a local shelter and make sure he’s placed somewhere he can be taken care of.”

Daniel frowned.“You can’t do that.He’s mine.That’s theft.”

“We’ll have animal control take him for the moment,” Marcus clarified.“And when a veterinary examination proves that you’ve abused him, we’ll put him up for adoption.In the meantime, I’ll have some officers come by to conduct a thorough search of your residence.”

“Oh my God, Ididn’t kill anyone!”

“We’ll get to that,” Faith said.“In the meantime, you’ve definitely abused this dog.Coming from a dog owner myself, I find that behavior despicable, and I’m glad that we’ve caught you so we can help Caesar.”

Daniel’s frown deepened.“So I let you guys into my home and talk to you, and this is how you repay me?”

“We don’t owe you anything,” Faith retorted.“We owe our victims justice, and if you turn out to be their killer, we owe you a chance to get what you deserve.”

Daniel took a step toward Faith, but a growl from Turk and a heavy hand on his shoulder from Marcus dissuaded him from physical violence.It didn’t do anything to stop his words, though.

“You’re just a dumb little bitch.Like all of those fake-ass K9 handlers.You guys aren’t alphas.It’s no wonder your dogs walk all over you.”

Faith held Daniel’s eyes.“Turk, come.”

Turk immediately got to his feet and trotted to Faith.Still holding Daniel’s eyes, Faith said.“See that?My dog obeys me.”

Daniel reddened, but he couldn't think of a response to that.

***

Daniel’s attitude didn’t improve on the ride to the station.He spent most of the ride shouting epithets and complaining about how those wimps were ruining everything for him.At one point, Turk—sitting on the other side of the divider in the rear seat—gave Faith a dry expression that caused her to laugh.

There was nothing funny about the murders they were investigating, though, and when they arrived at the police station, Faith wanted to jump into the interrogation right away.Marcus had another idea.

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