Page 90 of Brutal Ice

“Funny thing, that,” Royal returned without any pause because he’d already been digging down this particular path. “It belongs to Jonathan Freemont. He’s spent the last seven years in a memory care facility. The place withered over the years because he had no immediate family who wanted to help with the place. Though, interestingly, some of the vines are still producing. Even though no one is supposed to be taking care of them. That would be where those precious leaves came from. Vines that should have been completely dead.”

“You have captured my attention,” Tony informed him as she raised her eyebrows. “Maybe it’s the orange outfit, but I just can’t look away.”

He rolled one shoulder. “I have that effect on people. I seem to have caught the attention of the Feds, too. Agent Duncan thinks I’m the serial killer.”

Tony tilted her head to the right. “Again, according to the stories I’m seeing, I thought you were supposed to be the hero.”

“Hero, killer. It’s so hard for people to ever figure things out completely.”

Tony’s gaze shifted to Curran. “Can you get me approval to search that property?”

“I—”

“We can get approval,” Agent Duncan interrupted to say. “It’s still a crime scene because of Violet Murphy’s abduction.” She hurried closer to Tony. “I’ve heard about you. You’ve worked with several colleagues that I have at the Bureau.” A brief pause and then, “I would very much like to see you in action.”

“There may be nothing to see,” Tony returned without missing a beat.

Royal thought that—unfortunately—there would be plenty to see. “Shame the Feds and the local PD all missed following up on such an important clue. So glad I could assist in the investigation.” Now, enough of this interrogation BS. He slanted a glance at Curran. “I believe that last allotted five minutes have come and very much gone. Shall I call my lawyer? Or is this gonna be the part where you just let me walk out…because we both know you have jack and shit to hold me on?”

Curran and Teresa Duncan shared a long look. Then she inclined her head.

Ah, so the Feds were very much in charge and pulling the strings. An important point.

“I’ll escort you out,” Curran told him. “But be prepared, I may have follow-up questions.”

“Fantastic to know.” But he let the detective lead the way and paused only long enough to say, “It was a pleasure, doctor.”

Tony shook her dark head. Her braid slid over her shoulder. “Death is rarely a pleasure.”

“Depends on who is dying.”

Her brows lifted once more. “You are an unusual man.”

“I get that a lot.”

Curran pushed him toward the door. Aiden Warner assessed him, then stepped aside so that Royal and Curran could pass. And as Royal walked into the waiting corridor…

“Well, hello, beautiful,” Royal crooned. He extended his hand toward the German Shepherd who waited with perfect patience for her human. “Banshee, isn’t it? Your reputation has proceeded you.” As if he wouldn’t recognize the doctor of the dead’s dog.

Banshee delicately sniffed him. Stared up with her deep and gorgeous eyes. And patiently continued to wait for Tony.

“How the hell do you know the dog’s name?” Curran asked.

“I know because Banshee is Tony’s partner. If Tony came here looking for the dead, then no way would she leave Banshee behind.” He could have sworn the dog smiled at him.

But Curran kept urging him forward so Royal didn’t get to linger.

“You are running too many games,” Curran whispered.

Royal laughed softly. “Like you aren’t, my friend?”

“Oh, cut the shit. It’s me and it’s you right now.” But he cut a quick, worried glance over his shoulder before focusing on Royal once more. “You had to know the cops and Feds were watching you and that I’d be pushed to tail your crazy ass. What was I supposed to do? Let you shoot the prick in the face?”

That would have been an option. “Where is Violet?” He kept walking down the hallway with Curran.

“I’m taking you to her now. Jeez, breathe a minute, would you? I have her in my office. She had to go through the grilling process just like you. And, FYI, she’s still as freaking protective of you as she was the first time I met her.”

His chest ached. “You shouldn’t still have her at the station.”

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