Page 25 of Engaging the Deputy

“I need to ask you some questions. Perhaps you could get dressed. I don’t mind waiting.”

She pushed herself off the door frame, her smile vanishing. “Fine. I guess you’d better come in. You can wait out here in the living room.” With that, she turned and disappeared down a hallway.

Jaden pushed the door all the way open and entered the house. He knew that she rented the small house, worked part-time at the convenience store and drove a small, compact, older-model car. She’d had four speeding tickets, but other than that, she’d kept her nose clean.

As he waited, he looked around since he assumed she was going to take her time. He spotted a pair of dirty boots by the door. Several jackets and coats hung above them, one jacket with fresh dirt on the sleeve. The house smelled like leftover pizza and the lingering scent of stale beer.

He was standing at the front window when she returned.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting,” she said snidely.

“Not at all.” He turned to look at her and smiled. “I looked around while I was waiting.” His gaze went to the dirty boots by the door as he pulled out his notebook and pen. “Let’s start with where you were this morning.” He turned in time to see her expression. It was enough to tell him she’d been up to no good.

Without her offering, he took a seat on the end of the couch and waited for her to sit. She had several options, one of two worn recliners or the other end of the equally worn couch. She chose the couch and turned toward him.

She’d changed into a T-shirt and jeans. Her feet were still bare, her hair pulled up in a ponytail. The look on her recently made-up face said he would have to drag the truth out of her.

“Why don’t you start with what you were doing at the hospital this morning?” he said and clicked on his pen.

“Who said I was at the hospital?” she asked.

He waited, holding her gaze until she finally cursed and said, “That skinny nurse, huh.”

“You were visiting Cody, and not for the first time,” he said. “What’s your relationship?”

“Relationship?”She made it sound as if she’d never heard the word before.

Again, he could have outwaited her, but was quickly losing his patience. “Maybe I should take you down to the sheriff’s office for further questioning.” He started to put his notebook and pen away, but she stopped him.

“Fine. Cody’s my boyfriend. I have every right to see him.”

“Does he know he’s your boyfriend, because I believe he was with Olivia Brooks Halloween night?”

Her eyes narrowed into a glare, her jaw tightening before she said, “Heknows, but apparently Olivia doesn’t.”

“Is that why you followed her when she left the hospital and tried to run her off the road?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she snapped, leaning away from him and the accusation.

“I can have the dirt on your boots compared to that of the barrow pit where your SUV ended up,” he said. “This time of year, it isn’t quite mud, but close.”

She grabbed on to the one thing she thought could save her and gave him a haughty look. “I don’t own an SUV.”

“No, but I’m betting you borrowed one.” Before she could argue further, he asked, “Where were you Halloween night?”

The question caught her by surprise. Her eyes widened for a moment. “Home.”

“Anyone with you?” She shook her head. “See any trick-or-treaters who can verify your story?”

“I had my lights turned off, so I didn’t get any. Migraine headache. I went to bed early.”

“You often get migraines?” Before she could answer, he said, “I can check with your doctor.”

“My first migraine. Really a bitch.”

“So I’ve heard.” Seeing that he wasn’t going to get any more from her, he put away his notebook and pen and stood. “I hope I don’t have to come back and arrest you for anything, but I will be keeping an eye on you,” he said as he walked to the door.

“Thanks. I appreciate that,” she said sarcastically as he left.

---