Page 92 of Relentless

“How?”

“Liam doesn’t wear cologne. Rusty does.” She wrinkled her nose. “A nauseating musky scent. I started to call out for Liam. Hard hands wrapped around my throat and choked me.” Her voice broke off at the remembered pain and panic.

“You’re safe, Sunshine,” Liam murmured. “Rusty won’t touch you again.”

“Did Rusty say anything while he held you down?” Haynes asked Piper.

“He wanted to know where the information was.”

A frown. “What information?”

Liam squeezed her shoulder.

“I don’t know. I fought to get his hands off my throat but his grip was too strong. Liam tackled Rusty and restrained him. We called you.”

Haynes watched her a moment, then took Piper through the attack several times, asking more detailed questions. Finally, he asked. “What aren’t you and your friend telling me?”

She stilled. “You think we’re lying?”

“Not lying. Holding back. There’s more to this story. I want all of it. If my investigation is hampered, I might be bad tempered enough to haul you in for obstruction of justice.”

Again? She heard the same threats from Barrett and Kerrigan in Copper Ridge. Unsure what to say, she said nothing. Trusting the wrong people would be hazardous to her health and Liam’s.

Liam stroked Piper’s arm. “We ran into a little trouble before we came to Hartman.”

“What kind and where?”

The operative gave the detectives the bare bones of events in Copper Ridge. “Gavin James left information for Piper but we don’t know where it is or what it’s about. If Gavin was still alive, I’d have a heart-to-heart talk with him about endangering my girlfriend because of his own cowardice.”

Haynes glanced at his partner who shrugged. “You’re sure James is dead, McCoy?”

“A bullet pierced his heart. I’m sure. The Copper Ridge police will confirm his death.”

The detective dragged a hand down his face. “The news will be all over town soon. You think Rusty’s attack on you has something to do with James’s death, Ms. Reece?”

“Nothing else makes sense. I work in a candle shop in Otter Creek, Tennessee. The most dangerous thing I do all day is pour hot wax into molds and decide which scents to add to the mix. I have no idea what Gavin discovered. Whatever it was got him killed. I don’t want to be the next victim or drag Liam into this mess.”

After reviewing their statements one more time, the detective stood. “Come to the station tomorrow. We’ll have more questions and you can sign your statements. In the meantime, be careful and watch your backs. If you think of anything else that might help, call me.”

After he took pictures of her neck, Haynes and his partner left.

Gino walked into the room. “Piper, what’s going on? One of the guards said you were attacked in your bed.”

“I’m sorry the commotion woke you, Uncle Gino.”

“You should have sent someone for me. I have a right to know someone attacked you in my home.” His words came out clipped, tone harsh.

“I planned to tell you when you woke. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

He waved her explanations aside and glanced at Liam. “Tell me what happened. Don’t leave anything out.”

Liam gave him a sanitized version.

Gino shook his head. “I don’t understand. He’s worked for me for two years and I’ve never had trouble with him. This doesn’t make sense.” He sighed, his attention shifting to Piper. “I understand if you prefer to stay somewhere else. I doubt you’ll feel safe after this.”

“Piper and I will talk.” Liam kissed her temple. “We’ll let you know what we decide to do.”

All the anger seemed to drain from her uncle. “I’m sorry, Piper. Perhaps I shouldn’t have asked you to return home. I hoped you and Gavin would mend your relationship and continue where you left off.”

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