Page 22 of Ranger Belief
“Exactly.” He tilted his head, shifting closer until his arm was nearly brushing hers. The scent of his cologne–something musky and dark–overpowered her senses. It took everything in Laney not to recoil. “I’m usually an excellent judge of character, but you’re surprising me, Laney. I always figured you were uptight, but I’m thinking I was wrong about you.”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. Laney caught herself before she rolled her eyes. Instead, she pasted on an encouraging, borderline flirty smile, and said, “So what happened after Ava told you about her boyfriend? Did y’all go out?”
“No, that’s the weird thing. Ava started avoiding me after that. I took the hint and left her alone. Plenty of other women I can date.”
“That's interesting,” Laney said carefully. “Because the way we heard it, you were the one pursuing her. Finding ways to be alone with her.”
Garrett's expression darkened. “I don't know who told you that, but they're lying.”
“So you're saying Ava was the one who came on to you?” Laney kept her tone neutral, but she watched his reaction closely.
“I’m saying whoever told you that story has it backwards. Yeah, I flirted with her. I already admitted that. But I wasn't some creep stalking her around campus.” His jaw tightened. “Look, I don't know what people are saying about me, but I didn't do anything wrong.”
Jonah scoffed from his section of the office. “Oh, please. Are we supposed to believe that?” He crushed the plastic cup in his hand and shot it across the room into the trash bin. “You pursued Ava even though it was against the rules, you made her uncomfortable by inappropriately flirting with her, then you asked her out, and when she said no, you got your feelings hurt and did something about it.”
Jonah planted his hands on his hips and glowered down at Garrett. “Laney might buy this story you’re trying to push, but I don’t.”
“Is this guy for real?” Garrett asked Laney before straightening up to his full height. He tried to look intimidating, puffing out his chest, but against Jonah's imposing frame—seven inches taller and built like he could bench press a truck—Garrett's stocky build came across as compact rather than commanding. “I don’t like your tone or your accusations.”
Jonah flashed a biting smile. “I don’t much care if you like my tone. As far as accusations go , I haven’t made one yet. Where were you between the hours of seven and midnight on Thursday night?”
Garrett’s cheeks heated as he took an aggressive step toward Jonah. “I don’t answer to you.”
Laney planted herself between the two men. “Enough. Jonah, cool it. Garrett is trying to help us.” She'd seen Jonah interrogate suspects before, but something about watching him now—protective and fierce—made her pulse quicken in a way that had nothing to do with professional admiration.
She turned back to face Garrett. His attention was still locked on Jonah, anger pouring off him, as potent as his cologne. The man had a temper all right. He was also roughly the same height and weight as her attacker, although that didn’t mean much. Her description couldn’t be relied upon. Everything had happened so quickly.
“No one is accusing you of anything,” Laney placed a hand on Garrett’s bicep. The move had the desired effect of bringing his focus back to her. “But it would help to know where you were last night. We’re asking everyone the same question. It’s routine.”
His mouth flattened into a thin line. “I was with friends. A buddy of mine is visiting from Utah with his fiancée. They're in town for the music festival. They're staying at the park, inCabin 3. I arrived around seven with dinner from that BBQ place down the street, and then we hung out and had some drinks. Left around midnight.” His eyes searched hers. “I had nothing to do with these murders. Ava…yes, I liked her, but I’m not in the habit of chasing someone who isn’t interested. Why would I? There are plenty of other women to date.”
He’d lost the cocky attitude, and his tone was so forthright, Laney could almost believe he was telling the truth.
Almost.
But not quite.
“We'll need to verify your alibi,” Jonah said flatly. “Names and contact information for your friends in Cabin 3.”
Garrett's jaw tightened, but he pulled out his phone. “Fine. Hold on.” He scrolled for a moment before rattling off the information. “Nolan Carlson and his fiancée, Lisa Valdez. Nolan’s been my friend since high school. He'll tell you I was there until midnight.”
“Did you interact with anyone else?” Laney asked. “Another camper, maybe?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Too bad. It would’ve been nice to have an independent person verify Garrett’s whereabouts. Laney didn’t trust him. She’d sensed he’d lied during their interview, and he was the kind of guy who’d have a friend cover for him.
They headed back to the truck in silence. Laney's mind churned through the interview, trying to separate what felt true from what felt like manipulation. Garrett was hiding something. But was it murder, or just his predatory behavior toward women?
She hopped into the front seat. The A/C pouring from the vents was tepid when she fired up the engine.
Jonah slid into the passenger seat. His body moved with a powerful grace that was riveting. She found herself staring,noting the curve of his jaw, the way his lower lip was a bit fuller than the top one, and the thickness of his hand as he adjusted the air vent. “What do you think?”
She blinked. “What?”
“About Garrett?” He turned to face her, and his brow creased. Confusion flickered in his eyes as he touched his chin. “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”
“No.” Her cheeks heated, and she busied herself with buckling her seatbelt. “Uh, I think Garrett’s a sleaze. He’s manipulative, and I don’t buy that Ava came on to him. But…I’m not sure he’s a killer. He doesn’t seem quite controlled enough to carry out a complicated murder. You?”
