Page 71 of Relentless

Another frown from Kerrigan. “Doesn’t he need a license?”

“I’m a certified EMT as well as a medic for Fortress Security,” Matt said.

“You carry medical supplies with you?”

“Sometimes we’re deployed at a moment’s notice. I carry my mike bag wherever I go.”

“Handy.” Her word dripped with sarcasm.

“Do you have anything to add, Piper?” Barrett asked.

“No.” She leaned her head against Liam’s shoulder. Man, she needed a long nap. “I’ve told you all of it.”

Barrett turned to Liam. “How did you know Piper was in trouble?”

“I heard her muffled scream. Cade and I ran to check on her and found Piper’s purse on the bathroom floor. She was nowhere in sight.”

“What did you do?”

“Checked out the back door of the restaurant and heard Piper scream again. We tracked her and Baldy to where your patrol cops found him with Simon.” Liam continued to recount events until they returned to the suite.

Barrett watched Liam for a moment. “Why do I think you’re not telling me everything?”

“You have to go through proper channels. We don’t.”

“Hints or suggestions?”

“Run a ballistics test on his weapon.”

“Planned to, but why?”

“I didn’t shoot Gavin. Neither did Simon. We know there’s a third shooter involved. Perhaps he’s our mystery shooter.”

“Why are you asking for help?” Kerrigan demanded of her partner. “We’re the professionals, not this band of mercenaries.”

A shrug. “Saves time. Liam’s right. He doesn’t have to follow our rules. If he says something that sends us in the right direction, we’ll catch the killer sooner.”

“He could be misleading us to protect his own hide.”

Anger heated Piper’s blood. Some of her fury must have communicated itself to Liam because he glanced down at her and winked.

“He hasn’t so far. Why start now?” Barrett looked at Liam again. “Anyone else I need to talk to about this latest incident?”

Liam inclined his head toward Cade. “Cade was my backup.”

After the detectives questioned them a second time, the detectives left to view the crime scenes in the bathroom and the woods.

As soon as they were gone, Liam turned to Cade. “We need to talk to the waitress.”

“Caught that, did you? I wondered when you’d remember what she said.” Cade smiled. “I’ll track her down.” He waited until the detectives left the floor, then searched for the waitress.

“What’s that about?” Trent asked.

“The waitress was upset when she learned Piper was missing. She said that wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“What does that mean?” Piper asked.

“I don’t think she knocked over the tea by accident. I believe someone asked her help in getting you to the women’s restroom.”

---