Page 41 of Deputies Under Fire
Again, Eden had to agree. Even from the distance of Ike’s truck to the body, she would have realized Carter was dead. No movement. All that blood, and his eyes had been wide open.
“I looked around,” Ike added, “but I didn’t see anyone. And then the two deputies came barreling up. That’s when I knew I’d been framed.” He looked at Rory. “I don’t expect you to believe that, but it’s the truth, and that means you don’t have a killer here in this cruiser. He or she is out there, ready to strike again until I’m locked up for murder.”
“Who would do that?” Rory asked.
“Helen or Diedre,” Ike said without any hesitation. “Hell, they could be working together.”
That was indeed possible since the women had been together at Diedre’s house.
“And, no, I don’t have any proof that one or both is behind this,” Ike went on. “But Helen sure as hell could have gotten access to my house to plant those bugs.”
True, but Diedre could have as well, if she’d hired someone to break in. Normally, the ranch wasn’t as secure as it was now, and the gate was often left open for deliveries and such.
Eden looked up when she heard the sound of an approaching engine, and she silently cursed the flashback that she got ofthe collision and explosion the day before. It was going to be a while, if ever, before those images left her, but she shoved them aside and saw both CSI and ME vans pull to a stop behind the other cruiser.
“I’ll be right back,” Rory said, and stepped out. But then he leaned down and gave Ike a warning glance through the metal grating before he started toward the responders.
Since the back doors couldn’t open from the inside, Eden wasn’t worried about Ike trying to escape. The man wasn’t stupid, and he would know something like that would lead to an immediate takedown and arrest.
“I wouldn’t try to kill either of you.” Ike’s grumble was barely audible. “What happens now?” he asked, loud enough for her to hear.
Eden tried to keep her cop’s voice in place despite feeling so darn shaky. “We go back to the station, where you’ll be processed. We’ll need your clothes for testing, and Livvy will have some questions for you.”
“Right.” And the sarcasm and snark had returned. “No more questions until my lawyers are there. I’m not saying another damn word that could get me in even hotter water than I already am.”
So some of the old Ike had returned, but she couldn’t blame him for lawyering up again. If there was any physical evidence linking him to this murder, then he would almost certainly be arrested.
Since Ike had clammed up, Eden used her phone to text Detective Vernon to ask him to check on the alibis for Helen and Diedre. Even if they had them, the women would need to be brought in for another round of interviews.
Eden tried not to be frustrated that the investigation seemed to be going in circles. Three murders, and they still hadn’t managed to positively ID or arrest the killer. With her andRory’s names on that hit list, the pressure was skyrocketing for them to put a stop to this, especially since the killer knew about Tyler.
Rory returned to the cruiser, and he slid in behind the wheel, automatically studying her face. No doubt to see if Ike had said anything in his absence.
“Ike wants his lawyers,” Eden informed him.
Rory huffed but didn’t seem surprised. Nor did he discuss the murder. Probably because Ike would have been able to hear every word. He just started the cruiser, then drove past the other responders and straight into town. It took them less than two minutes to reach the police station, a reminder of just how bold the killer had been to leave Carter’s body practically right on their doorstep.
They led Ike inside, where Livvy was already waiting for them. “His phone’s been taken into evidence,” Rory informed her. “So he’ll need to use the landline to contact his lawyers.”
Livvy nodded and volleyed glances at the three of them. She was probably trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Sadly, Eden and Rory were doing the same thing.
“I can let him use the phone on my desk,” Livvy said. “And then I can take him to interview room one. Do you also want me to get the contact info for the victim’s next of kin so they can be notified?”
“Yes, do that. And thanks,” Rory told her.
Livvy tipped her head toward Grace’s office. “You two have a visitor, and he’s insisting on talking to you.”
Eden looked in that direction and saw Frank Mott. So, apparently, he had surfaced after all. Since the man hadn’t returned their calls and no one had seen or heard from him, Eden had thought he might have met the same fate as Carter.
Frank came to the doorway of Grace’s office, doling out a scowl to Ike. And Ike scowled right back.
“Are you the one setting me up?” Ike snarled.
Frank lifted his shoulder as if the question had been about something mundane rather than about murder.
“Frank,” Rory greeted as they went into the office. “We’ve been trying to contact you.”
The man nodded. “Yes, I was out at my fishing cabin on the lake. No cell service. I didn’t get your messages until I got home late last night. I figured rather than call you so late, I’d just come and see you face-to-face.” He paused. “Did Ike kill that man?”
