Page 103 of Brutal Ice

“By the way, sorry for the hit.” This was Violet’s brother, and he certainly didn’t want Christmas to be awkward. And I want every Christmas with her. “And for the throat grab.”

“You’re apologizing?” Dawson squinted suspiciously at him.

Didn’t it sound like he was? “But you ever do anything to so much as hurt her feelings, and you and I will have a problem.”

“Control,” Beau rasped.

“What?” Royal rolled back his shoulders. “I said sorry.”

“But then you threatened him,” Beau pointed out.

“I never claimed to be perfect.” Now, to focus… “Who wants to know about the serial killer?”

Five hours later, Detective Curran Barlow knocked at Royal’s door.

Royal saw the guy on his security monitor and figured Curran was there to do one of three things.

Option A…He’s here to arrest my ass.

Option B…He’s here to tell me that he’s arrested Micah Wright for the murder of Simone Wilmont.

Or, Option C…He’s here to tell me that he cut Micah free.

Royal took his time going for the door. Violet and her brother were in the kitchen cooking with Beau. As for Kai, his friend was keeping watch. Out of sight, but close enough to rush forward in an emergency.

Royal opened the door. The detective appeared extra grim, with deeper lines cutting near his mouth and eyes. “You look like shit,” Royal told him.

Curran grunted. “One day, those compliments will hurt my feelings.” His stare swept over Royal. “I see you ditched the prison orange.”

“For the moment.” A pause. “You here to critique my wardrobe? Or was there another reason for this special visit?”

Curran glanced back at the reporters who waited just beyond Royal’s property line, then his gaze returned to Royal. “You gonna let me over the threshold?”

“Got a warrant?”

Curran’s jaw hardened. “Like that, is it?”

“You tell me, Detective Barlow.”

“Can’t. Too many eyes on us.” A low whisper. Then he rolled back his shoulders. His voice rose as he said, “Thought you and Violet might like to know that Micah Wright has been placed under arrest for the murder of Simone Wilmont.”

Tension slid to the pit of Royal’s belly. “Thought you weren’t so sure he was the bad guy. What about those taser marks you mentioned?”

“Maybe the taser never connected with him. Other evidence is strong. The Feds think he fits for the crimes.”

“Do tell.”

“Let me into the house. Don’t really want to lay out the whole case on your front porch.”

Royal backed up a step.

“Thanks. Really rolling out the welcome mat, aren’t you?”

“At least I didn’t toss you into the back of a patrol car.”

Curran winced. He also shut the door behind him.

Footsteps tapped toward them. Royal wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Violet, Dawson, and Beau hurrying right for him and Curran.

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