Page 29 of Ranger Bravery

He scowled at Jackson. “My son’s personal life is not relevant to your murder investigation. He has an alibi for the time Elena was killed.” Paul stressed the word Elena, his gaze shooting to Piper briefly before returning to Jackson. “I understand you may be short on suspects, but I will not allow you to rummage around in our private business. Shawn has an alibi for the murder. That’s enough to clear him.”

Actually it wasn’t. The affidavits were from people who worked at the law firm. Jackson wasn’t sure if the employees would lie for their boss, but it was possible. Shawn and Paul signed their paychecks. Not to mention there were multiple entrances and exits in the building. Shawn could’ve slipped out without anyone knowing.

Jackson didn’t say any of that though. He didn’t want to tip off the Kingstons to the avenues they would be investigating.

Paul’s expression hardened. “This matter is resolved. If I find out that anyone has been asking questions or digging into Shawn, I’ll sue for defamation.” He locked gazes with Derek. “It’s in your best interest, as the elected sheriff, to ensure this town is safe. That means protecting all of its citizens in every way. I don’t expect my family’s name to be dragged through the mud.”

With those parting words, Paul and Shawn left.

Piper blew out a breath as she watched the Kingstons hurry across the bullpen through the glass walls of the office. “Anyone else feel like we were being handled?”

“Oh yeah.” Jackson rocked back on the heels of his boots. “I suspect Shawn told Paul and his wife about the affair following our first interview. This was damage control.”

“An effective one.” Derek picked up the affidavits. “I’ll have deputies individually question these individuals, but if their statements hold up, it appears Shawn had an alibi for the time Elena was killed.”

“That doesn’t preclude him from hiring Wally to do his dirty work.” Jackson was more convinced Shawn was neck-deep in this somehow. He hated the thought. Shawn was an old friend, but his handling of the matter only reinforced the idea that he had something to hide. And Jackson wasn’t convinced it was an affair.

Derek sighed. “I don’t like what just happened any more than you do, but we don’t have any proof that Shawn hired Wally. We have to follow the evidence, and right now, our primary suspect is Wally. If Shawn hired him, then we’ll find proof of it during the investigation.”

Jackson reluctantly nodded. Derek was right. Suspicion and gut instinct didn’t go very far in a courtroom. Everything they’d uncovered thus far pointed to Wally. He rubbed his forehead. A headache was brewing along his temples. Maybe he was too close to this investigation. With Piper’s life being threatened, Jackson had to admit he might not be seeing things clearly.

“You two take the rest of the afternoon off,” Derek said. “Neither of you can move without wincing. We’ll reconvene in the morning and see where the investigation is.” He pegged Piper with a stern look. “Rest, Detective Jensen. That’s an order. Don’t even look at this case file until tomorrow morning.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I can read over evidence reports?—”

“No. I’ve got Ranger Perez and Ranger Capshaw in the conference room to do that. Plus, more rangers are showing up tomorrow.” Worry darkened his brown eyes until they were almost black. “I’ll have extra patrols go by your house, Piper, and once the night shift starts, someone will be stationed on your street. Use caution.” His gaze shifted between Jackson and Piper. “Both of you. I’m not sure how the bombing, the shooting, and Elena’s murder fit together yet, but until we know more… assume you’re in danger.”

SIXTEEN

Piper absently stroked Moxie’s head while she studied Wally Hutchinson’s most recent arrest photo.

It was from a year ago. He’d been charged with domestic violence, but the charges were later dropped when the victim refused to testify. That wasn’t uncommon unfortunately. What was frightening was that the woman he assaulted was Gerdie James, the same one who was now missing. Piper’s stomach swirled with anxiety for the young woman. Deputies were interviewing her friends, but so far, no one had heard from her or had the slightest clue where she was. Todd also hadn’t returned to his house, and none of Wally’s friends or coworkers knew where he was.

The resemblance between the Hutchinson brothers was obvious. They had the same slope to their nose, thin lips, and cleft chin. However, unlike Todd’s receding hairline, Wally’s dark hair was thick and curly. His face, square and weathered, was marked by deep-set eyes under bushy eyebrows. His mouth was a thin slash. He was harder looking. Meaner. Based on his arrest record, he’d spent most of his adult life in and out of prison.

Something about him unsettled Piper. Wally had lived in her neighborhood while she was a child. It was probable they’d crossed paths, but she had no recollection of him.

She pushed aside his arrest photo and studied Gerdie’s picture. It’d been taken from a social media site. She was young—barely twenty-two—with delicate features, long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. Her smile was tight and there was a haunted look about her.

“You okay, baby girl?”

Grandma Mary’s voice shocked Piper out of her thoughts. She jumped slightly and then placed a hand over her racing heart. “You scared me.”

“Sorry.” Grandma Mary stood close by in soft-soled shoes. Her coat was slung over her arm, purse on her shoulder. “I called your name a few times, but you didn’t answer.”

“I was lost in thought.”

Grandma Mary’s expression grew sympathetic. “I can imagine.” She glanced at Gerdie’s photograph on the kitchen table and sighed. “Poor girl. She never had it easy.”

“You know her?”

“She stayed with me for a month or two right after her momma died. She went to live with her grandmother shortly after that, but I don’t think it was a happy household. Her grandpappy was as mean as her daddy. Drinkers, the whole lot of them.” A pained look entered her eyes. “Do you think she’s okay?”

“I don’t know. We believe she’s with Wally Hutchinson.” Piper pulled his arrest photo closer for Grandma Mary to see. She’d grown up in Rock Fort and knew everyone. Her observations weren’t evidence, but it could help lead them in a new direction. “What do you know about him?”

“He’s too much like his daddy. There’s something about a person… they have a look of cruelty about them. Wally is one of those. He takes pleasure in hurting others.” Mary’s brow crinkled. “I had an altercation with him once. We were in the grocery store, and he was following us around. I didn’t like the way he was watching you.”

“When was this? I don’t remember it.”

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