Page 88 of Caught in the Crossfire

“You’re the best.”

“Yeah, yeah. Just remember that when it’s time to review my salary.” With a wave, Dawn left.

Nicole grinned and glanced down at the German Shepherd. “All right, Patty. Time for your beauty treatment.” The dog barked.

While she brushed the dog and shampooed her, Nicole thought about Rod’s statements and questions, and wondered if she would face a lot more questions in an interrogation room.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Mason used his screw gun to secure the outlet cover. When finished, he wiped sweat from his brow with his forearm and stood. He set the screw gun aside and glanced at his partner. “How’s it going?”

Dean got to his feet and stretched. “Finished. What’s next?”

Before he could answer, Mason’s phone signaled an incoming call. He glanced at the screen. “I need to take this. Next on the list is installing closet doors in each of the units.”

“I’ll get started in here.”

“I won’t be long,” Mason promised as he strode toward the door and swiped his screen. “Kincaid.”

“It’s Zane. Can you talk?”

He answered when he stood outside Building 6. “Go ahead.”

“I traced the emails sent to Gage Fitzgerald and Ivan Dannon.”

“What did you find out?”

“It appears that Nicole sent them.”

Mason froze. “No chance.”

“I don’t think so either, but law enforcement might be inclined to think she’s guilty.”

“She wouldn’t do that.” Knowing his history with the Fitzgeralds, Nicole wouldn’t contact them for any reason, especially to confirm Mason’s location. Based on her last experience with Ivan, he was the last person she would want to exchange emails with. “What’s the proof?”

“I tracked the IP address to the Otter Creek public library. While the emails weren’t signed, I tracked the account through several layers to the original owner who claimed to be Nicole Copeland.”

Mason sat on the step in front of unit 3 and dragged a hand down his face. This was crazy. Who would try to throw Nicole under the bus and why? He was the major threat, not her. “It’s not Nicole. Someone is doing his best to muddy the waters and send the police on a rabbit chase.”

“Any idea why?”

“Not yet, but I will find out.”

“Watch your back, Mason.”

“Always.” He’d learned to do that in prison to survive.

“Think about who stands to gain the most if you’re out of the way and no longer have Nicole’s full support.”

He scanned the area to be sure he was still alone. “Look into a couple of men on Elliott’s crew. Gene Patton and Ed Fisher. For some reason, I’m getting a ton of animosity from them. Could be they just hate my guts or don’t trust me because of my prison record.”

“Anyone else?”

“Nicole’s former boyfriend, Ivan Dannon.” He explained about the last argument between the couple. “I want to know if he’s harboring plans for revenge against her. With his ego, he wouldn’t be able to tolerate Nicole getting the best of him. He fought with her over money. With her inheritance, she doesn’t have money issues now. He might think if he wins her back, he’ll have access to her bank accounts.”

“I’ll check them out and get back to you.” Zane ended the call.

Mason returned to unit 3 and helped Dean install closet doors.

---