Page 17 of Dead Man's Wish
“That’s pretty intense for our first meeting, Carter.” His expression morphed into genuine confusion before resuming his resting state. “You’re aggravated over your name, and the thought of being confused with another prisoner here leaves you with some negative emotions.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, lady.” His statement bordered on the fringe of misogyny.
“My name is Bexley Wells. You’re welcome to call me Bex, Bexley, or Mrs. Wells if that’s what you prefer.” His mouth flickered in disgust at the recommendation to use my married title.
“So, you aren’t a shrink?” Curiosity laced Carter’s voice. Why would a random woman off the street have an interview arranged? It was the question he wouldn’t ask though.
“I’m not sure of your implication there. Are you asking because I didn’t tell you to call me Dr. Wells? If so, I haven’t completed my PhD yet. Nonetheless, I’m still a forensic psychologist. I have a special interest and expertise in a few areas.”
“Sounds great.” His bland dismissal of my credentials could’ve come from a few sources, so I pressed on.
“I’d actually like to hear about you, Carter.”
“Me? I’m not special.”Self-deprecating charm.The first false emotion he showed was a hollow smile after stating it. It was bait to hear praise, but I never responded how they wished.
“Of course not,” I confirmed. His smile fractured and the second glimpse of contempt showed in his eyebrows and mouth. “I don’t hang out at prisons on a Friday for no reason, though. Family?”
“No.” That was a lie, but I didn’t care about any truths he had to give or conceal. I needed to show that Carter Boltree was capable of violence.
“Friends?”
“No.” He looked away at the mention of friends, which meant I was close.
“Girlfriend?”
“Is there a point to this interview?” He came across bored, but the deflection and redirection served to get us away from the answer he wanted secret.
“Boyfriend?” I verbalized instead of following the path he wanted me to. Untrained officers would take that bait, answer, and then ask him to answer the original question. It’d give him enough time to recover and try to hide behind stonewalling.
“Excuse me?” Visceral disgust marred his conventionally attractive face. It wasn’t something I expected to see so soon and I schooled my shock. If I’d given into my own emotions, I would’ve missed the shame that followed.
“You deflected on a woman being romantically involved in your life and now I’m curious if it’s outward homophobia”—I waited and watched—“or internalized homophobia.”
He banged his chained fists on the metal table between us.
“What’s your fucking problem, lady?” The explosive anger and violence came before his question; it was real. That layer of misogyny coated his question again.
“Your job history seems a little sporadic.” I tilted my head, letting him see how amusing this was as I picked at the insecurities that would’ve driven him if he committed the crimes Martin was investigating. “Do you like to try new things periodically?”
“No.”
“So, then it’s a reflection of your poor work ethic?” Without Detective Martin putting a name to it, I wouldn’t have seen it. The devil flickered in Carter’s eyes as he wiped all emotion from his face and body.That won’t do.
“Why are you here? Is this just a means to be cruel?” No one played a better victim than those who studied them for manipulation.
“You’re aware of your shortfalls in the workplace at least.” He fought the frustration clawing at him. His sickly pale skin blushed with anger. “Was it a comment about the lack of success from a gay man that triggered your first—”
I didn’t get to finish my question because Carter lunged across the table toward me. He didn’t make it far. Jaiden gripped the man’s forearms as he leaned over him and pinned him to the table. My gaze never left Boltree. A crooked smirk slipped out as I assessed what I’d read and what played out before me.
An officer ran in while radioing for backup for whatever room they’d placed us in. Another officer, who’d been close by, joined a moment later, and they took control over him and let Jaiden disengage and back up. They walked Boltree out backward and he spewed obscenities at me until he disappeared around the corner.
“I don’t like the Bexley bait game, my love.” Jaiden flexed and cracked his fingers.
“I saw you. I wouldn’t have pushed if you weren’t right there.” I sat on the table while we waited for other officers and officials to come in and settle this with paperwork. I crossed my ankles and Jaiden walked forward, lightly trailing his fingers up my leg.
“Share with the class what you learned or figured out?”
“Detective Martin sent over the casefile. The victim was male but had no ID. His injuries were beyond brutal and they haven’t been able to identify him yet. Even the missing person reports aren’t giving them leads. They had a make and model, along with a vague description of who this man was last seen with. Is it hard evidence? Not in the slightest.” I rubbed my hands as the adrenaline worked its way through my body. “The street he was found on? There’s a gay club at the corner. Is it a leap? Yeah, but if I asked you if you liked men—”
