Page 60 of Hot Damn
“Yes. Ms. Nelson identified the man as Kenneth Dupre.”
“Shit.” My gaze darts back to the girls. “She’s sure?”
“Yes. Is there something we need to know about him?”
I return my gaze to Detective Clark. “He came to my house the other week. Cami arrived not long after. There was a little hostility between them when she asked him what he was doing at my place. He said something about wanting an interview and she reminded him that he needed to go through official channels for that.”
“And that’s it? He just left?” Detective Anders asks.
“Well, no, it took some convincing, a reminder that he was on private property and if he didn’t leave we could call the police because he was trespassing.”
“Would you say he felt threatened by that?”
I look Anders right in the eye. “Yes. Because it was a threat.”
“Would that explain today’s incident?” Clark asks.
“No. Because from what Mr. Dalton told me, he went after Whit, not Cami.”
“True. True.” Clark rubs his chin, his gaze over my shoulder where I know he can see Whit and Cami. His eyes widen, and he says, “Is that Chase Hawkins running this way?”
I’m already turned around by the time he finishes speaking because his wide-eyed look had fear ricocheting through my chest. With a sigh of relief, I say, “Yeah, that’s Chase. His twin sisters go to school here too.”
We stand, quietly watching, as Chase races up to Cami and Whit, says a few words, then heads in our direction.
“Hey. When the twins got home, they said somethinghappened to Whit. Then Gem called and asked me to come over here because she’s across town.”
I know who he’s talking about but I’m sure the detectives are clueless so I explain. “Gem as in GM. Of the Rogues org.”
“Ah, right.” Detective Clark holds out a hand to Chase. “Detectives Clark and Anders. Nice to meet you. Or it would be if…”
“Yeah, they’re both okay, though, right?” Chase glances back at where Cami and Whit sit, heads huddled together.
“They’re okay.”
“Can I take them, then?” His gaze returns to us. “I can drive Cami’s car to my house, take Whitney, if you’re all finished with them,” he directs at the detectives.
“Whitney has given her statement but we still need to speak to Ms. Nelson.”
“Take Whit. Get Cami’s keys off her and take her car. I’ll wait with her and follow after she’s done.”
I don’t miss the speculative glances the detectives give me but I ignore them. I don’t care what they think. I’m not leaving Cami here to deal with this alone, especially when she was hurt protecting my daughter.
“Okay. I’ll see you at my place when you’re done. And don’t worry about dinner, we’ll organize something for all of us. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if Blake and Oakley turn up at some point.”
“Shit.” I look at Cami. “Should I call them?”
“I think Gem’s on that.”
“What about her parents?”
“Don’t know about that but let her do it after she’s finished giving her statement.”
“Good idea.” I put a hand on Chase’s shoulder, give it a squeeze. “Thanks for coming. And for taking Whit.”
“No problem. Got a cardio workout in.” He grins at me and I find myself smiling back.
“You sprint allthe way?”
