Page 124 of Cowboy's Last Stand
“I understand you’re from Montana,” Schmidt said.
“That’s right.”
“What brings you to Texas?”
Jason studied Wade’s innocuous expression.They’d most certainly run a background check and discovered his connection to Mike.“Personal matters.”
“You’re a war veteran?”Schmidt asked.
“Yes.”
“On disability?”
“No.I’ve been cleared to return to duty.”
“You’ve been inactive almost two years.”
“I was injured.The recovery process took time.”
“Let’s get back to last night,” Wade said.“When did you leave Natalie’s?”
“Around eleven.”
“Where did you go?”
“I walked toward the highway, which is exactly where you found me.”
“Why did you leave?”
“None of your business.”
“You didn’t come back after midnight?”
“No,” he said, and a new thought occurred to him.“There’s a security camera.You can check the footage.”
“I already looked at it,” Wade said.“I have some printouts.”
“Let me see them.”
Wade opened a manila folder.There were a couple of printouts that he passed to Jason.They were both still frames from last night’s footage.The first was a shot of him with Natalie on the front porch, engaged in a heated discussion.He appeared angry, which embarrassed him.Even though it was a private moment, not a public spat, he regretted raising his voice to her.The second frame captured something even more private.It was Natalie walking away from the apartment after their encounter.Her hair was mussed, her blouse unbuttoned.She had her bra and panties clutched in one hand.
Detective Schmidt donned a pair of reading glasses for a closer inspection.
“This is Natalie Luna, who was harassed by Billy a few weeks ago,” Wade said.“Jason stepped in to help.”
“How chivalrous,” Schmidt commented.“She looks grateful.”
“You said you spent the eveningtalking,” Wade said.“What did you discuss?”
Jason wanted to reach across the table and throttle him, but he didn’t.Wade was needling him, trying to make him lose control.“I’m not saying anything else without a lawyer except this.When wetalk, she calls me by my name.”
A flush suffused Wade’s neck.“You’re lucky it’s me in here and not my father.”
“Stop wasting my time,” Jason said.“If you had something on me, you’d be showing it instead of those pictures of Natalie.”
“We have footage of you in the garage.”
“Before or after the shooting?”
