Page 15 of Ranger Bravery

Shawn gestured to a small sitting area with leather couches and a bookshelf filled with law books. “Please have a seat. My secretary said you’re here to discuss Elena Harris’s murder. How can I help?”

Jackson claimed the chair catercorner to Shawn. He didn’t want this to feel like an interrogation. More like a conversation. He pulled out his cell phone. “Before we get started, I’m going to record this conversation, if that’s all right. It helps when I write up the report later.”

“Actually, I do mind.” Shawn’s tone was pleasant, but there was a warning look in his eye. “This meeting is voluntary. I want to do everything possible to aid in the investigation, but there’s no need to record it. I don’t have much to say anyway.”

A warning bell sounded in Jackson’s head, but he pushed it aside. Shawn was a defense attorney. It’d been a long shot that he’d acquiesce to the recording. “How well did you know Elena?”

“Not well. She worked as a receptionist downstairs, so I would see her occasionally. We’d say hi, but that was the extent of our interaction. She seemed very nice.” His expression was appropriately somber, but something about it felt manufactured, as if there was a well of emotions hiding underneath. “I was saddened to learn of her death.”

Jackson nodded as if he was getting the answers he expected. “So you’ve never met up with Elena outside of work?”

A flicker of something flashed across Shawn’s face. “Of course not.” He paused, as if calculating whether Jackson might know something. “Of course, we have the occasional office party. There’s an annual Christmas bash and a summer BBQ with all of our employees and their families. Last year, we took everyone to a water park in Houston. All of those take place outside of the office.”

“Of course. I’m glad you mentioned those events. Did Elena ever bring a boyfriend with her?”

Shawn blinked. “Not to my knowledge.”

“Do you know if she was dating anyone?”

His gaze dropped from Jackson’s and he busied himself by adjusting his tie. “I wouldn’t know anything about her dating life. As I said, we only knew each other professionally. It sounds cold, but I barely spoke to Elena. There was no reason for us to interact much. The receptionists are managed by our office manager. She handles the evaluations, the hiring and firing. It’s my understanding you already spoke with Nancy.”

“We did.”

Jackson and Piper had interviewed her while waiting for Shawn to get back from court. The older woman was distraught. She cried through most of the conversation, praising Elena’s work ethic and her kind disposition. Unfortunately, she hadn’t known much about her personal life. Nor did she know the password to Elena’s storage cloud.

“Do you know if Elena had issues with anyone? Another employee? Or maybe a client?”

Shawn fidgeted with his cuff links as he shifted on the couch. “I can’t think of anyone who’d want to hurt her.”

Jackson didn’t miss the careful way his friend worded the answer. Neither did Piper, judging from the way her gaze narrowed slightly.

She learned forward. “But she did have an issue with someone.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Do you know Marcus Reed?” Jackson asked.

The quick shift in questioning gave Shawn pause. His gaze skipped between Jackson and Piper, and he fidgeted with his tie again. Buying time? Maybe. If the Kingstons had represented Marcus, it was a matter of public record. Shawn must’ve come to the same conclusions because he frowned. “We’ve represented him in the past. Pro bono. Why? Is Marcus connected to Elena’s murder?”

“We’re following up on all leads. Do you know if Elena ever had an issue with Marcus?”

He shrugged. “I can tell you there was never an incident between them in our offices. Outside of it… I can’t say. As I’ve pointed out several times, I didn’t know Elena well.” Shawn checked his watch and then rose. “I’m sorry, but I have a client meeting that I must prepare for.”

Jackson wouldn’t accept the brush-off that easily. He remained seated. “I have a few more questions. I promise it won’t take up much of your time.”

For a moment, he thought Shawn would argue, but then he sat back down on the couch. He gave Jackson a tight smile. “Anything for an old friend.”

The subtle reminder didn’t escape Jackson. A warning? Perhaps. Shawn was growing increasingly agitated. He couldn’t sit still, and although he seemed appropriately saddened about Elena’s death, there was an underlying tension to his answers. Jackson had the distinct impression his friend was lying. About his relationship with Elena? Or about something else?

It was time to find out.

Jackson opened the file folder on his lap and removed a blown-up copy of the photograph taken from Elena’s locket. Shawn blanched as he placed it on the coffee table. Then his jaw tightened. “Where did you get that?”

“In a locket. Elena was wearing it when she was murdered. If you barely knew her, how do you explain this photograph?”

A muscle in Shawn’s jaw twitched. “It’s not what you think.”

“What do I think?”

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