Page 85 of Caught in the Crossfire

He frowned. “Make it quick, Copeland.”

“You could roll up your sleeves and lend a hand. You can work and question a suspect at the same time, right?”

“If it will get my questions answered before next week, you’re on.” Rod slid from the stool and shoved the notebook and pen back in his pocket. “Okay with you if I use a digital recorder while we talk?”

“Be my guest. I’ll be right back.” Nicole went to the holding area to retrieve Princess, a Blue Heeler. “Come on, sweet thing. Let’s get you all cleaned up for Mama.” She led the dog to the workroom and the tub.

“What do you want me to do?” Rod eyed the dog while Princess looked him over.

“Keep your hand on her back. Otherwise, we’ll both be getting baths, too.” She grasped the nozzle and aimed the warm spray on Princess’s back. “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me what happened last night at Linc’s. Don’t leave anything out.”

“Have you already talked to Mason and Linc?”

“They’re next after I speak with Dawn.” He made a face. “If I can get her attention for five minutes.”

“We’ll work it out.” Somehow.

“Details from last night, Copeland. Let’s hear them.”

She relayed the events, starting with dinner at Tennessee Steakhouse and ending with Josh driving off in his cruiser with Ivan in the backseat.

“Why did Dannon come to Otter Creek?”

“He said he wanted to win me back.”

“You don’t believe him?”

“I haven’t heard from him in two years, Rod. I’m in love with Mason, and we’re getting married in two months and two days. I don’t care what Ivan thought. I would never take him back. I don’t know why he thought he had a chance.”

“He says you invited him to come.”

Nicole stared at the detective. “That’s crazy. I didn’t. Why would he lie?”

“You tell me.”

“No clue.” She lathered Princess’s fur. “Ivan and I didn’t part on good terms.”

“Explain.”

She did. To her surprise, Rod grinned. “Good job, Copeland. I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. He’s spineless. Otherwise, he would have retaliated. He made me angry, though. Slapping me was way out of line.”

“Yeah, it was. So maybe you contacted Dannon and encouraged him to come so Mason would retaliate against your abuser.”

Outrage shot through her. “You’re out of your mind, Detective. I wouldn’t put Mason in that position, knowing he could end up in jail. Self-defense is one thing. Deliberately putting him in harm’s way is out of the question.”

“The evidence says otherwise.”

“Either the evidence is wrong or your interpretation is. I’m not responsible for Ivan being here. I’d prefer he disappeared as quickly as he appeared.”

“You’re going to stick with that story?”

She scowled. “It’s not a story. I’m sorry you don’t recognize the truth when you hear it.”

“Do you have an explanation for the attacks and close calls happening to you and Mason?”

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