Page 13 of Caught in the Crossfire

“As fast as possible.”

The medic skirted the two policemen and pulled a small white packet from his pocket. “Turn your head to the right,” he murmured and positioned the patch behind Nicole’s ear.

“Please tell me this works fast,” she whispered.

“At least half an hour.”

She closed her eyes briefly. “Oh, boy.”

Mason glanced at Ethan and Rod as Matt repositioned the ice pack to drape over Nicole’s forehead. “Finish your questions. Nicole needs to rest.”

“I’m okay, Mason.”

“No, baby, you aren’t. Undergoing intense questioning is making your symptoms worse.”

“Just one more question.” Rod pulled out his phone, tapped his screen, and turned it around for Nicole to see. “Do you recognize this?”

Mason grabbed the phone, color draining from his face.

Ethan stilled. “Talk to me, Mason.”

“That’s my pipe wrench.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Are you sure?” Ethan asked. “Pipe wrenches are common. What makes you positive this one is yours?”

Stomach twisting into a knot, Mason expanded the image on the screen and pointed to the marred surface of the handle. “I scratched the paint while fixing a leak on one of the sinks at Pet Palace last month. I’m sure the wrench is mine.”

The police chief’s gaze bored into Mason. “How did your wrench end up at a crime scene?”

“No, Ethan.” Nicole glared. “He wouldn’t hurt Riva or me.”

The policeman’s gaze never wavered from Mason. “Answer my question.”

Mason squeezed her hand in warning. “I must have left it when I fixed her sink.”

A muscle in Ethan’s jaw twitched. “When were you at Riva’s?”

He knew the suspicion his next words would spawn, yet he wouldn’t lie to the man who invested himself into Mason’s life over the past two years, and supported and mentored while drawing a hard line which Mason toed out of respect. “Around 2:00 this afternoon.”

Nicole gasped.

Rod’s eyes narrowed, suspicion glittering in the depths.

Mason fought the bitterness threatening to well up from the depths of his being. When would the shadow of his past disappear? Rod knew him. He’d repaired several things around the Kelter home and as well as spent time there as a guest. He hadn’t broken any laws since he left prison. When would the debt he owed for a tragic mistake in judgment be paid in full? Weren’t his nightmares and unrelenting guilt enough?

“Matt.” Ethan inclined his head toward the door. When the medic left, the chief said, “Tell us everything, Mason.”

“Why? You and Rod have already decided I’m guilty.”

Temper sparked in Ethan’s eyes. “Talk to us now or we’ll take you to the station for formal questioning as a person of interest in Riva’s murder.”

If he was taken to the station for questioning, Mason wouldn’t be allowed in any Otter Creek or Dunlap County homes. Worse, he couldn’t protect Nicole. His gut told him that the man who killed Riva would view Nicole and Dawn as threats. Although Trent, Linc, and the other operatives with PSI and Fortress were skilled in protection, he loved Nicole. If staying by her side meant swallowing his pride and answering biased, insulting questions, he’d do it.

“Make your choice, Mason. Do we question you here or at the station?”

“Mason, please,” Nicole whispered.

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