Page 49 of Hidden Ascent

“They’re not equipped.”

“For what? Questioning a suspect? I think they do okay. Besides, with all the crossing of departments, I think it’s best if we bring her somewhere neutral. Somewhere she won’t have any friends who can cause any trouble.”

Baker’s smile bordered on a grimace. “Lloyd, I appreciate your help, but you have a fundraiser to attend to. You don’t need to bother with this.”

Whitlock stepped closer. “I may be near the top of the food chain, but a lot of good men were murdered recently, and if this woman is part of it, I don’t want anything to happen that a lawyer can use to get her off. If we don’t do this by the book, we put ourselves in a precarious situation. And that’s important to me. More important than having a fancy meal. This woman will pay for what she did. She’ll be punished for her crimes.”

“If you insist.”

“I do.”

Whitlock continued to ignore her, but he waited until the police cruiser turned up before speaking in private with the officer. Then, he shook Baker’s hand and went back inside.

Whitlock’s behavior had been strange, but she had no way of telling if he’d done it for her or not. At least she hadn’t seen any sign of Jay, giving her confidence that he’d escaped. He could go back to whatever life he’d left. No one would find him.

What future she now faced was uncertain. Being taken to the police station would buy her time, but Baker would already be working to gain custody of her. She was sure he’d been telling the truth when he said she was now a fugitive. It wouldn’t have been hard for him to spin that story once she’d gotten free from him in the woods.

If she were in his shoes, she would do exactly the same thing.

* * *

Isla had fallen asleep in the interrogation room with her head resting on her hands. They’d given her a jacket to wear over her dress, so at least she was warm.

She woke when the door opened, and a tall, slim man entered.

“Who are you?” she said when he took a seat across from her.

“I’m Lieutenant Michael Bloomsbury. I heard we have an unusual fugitive in custody. It’s not often ladies get dressed up so fancy when they’re brought down to the station.”

“What can I do for you, Lieutenant?”

“I understand we’re holding you until the feds get here?”

“Probably DHS. I’m surprised Harris Baker isn’t out there right now, demanding for my release into his custody.”

“Oh, that guy? He put up a fight, but he’s gone to get his paperwork in order. I don’t like being pushed around in my own station.”

“I don’t suppose you could simply refuse to let him take me?”

“Do you have a good reason?”

“I’m innocent?”

“Nice try.”

“The attorney general was responsible for getting me sent here. Does he have anything else to say about it?”

“Due process, from what I understand. Doesn’t want to give you any legal loopholes.”

“If I even make it that far.”

“What about God?”

She straightened. “What did you say?”

“I said, what about food? Have you eaten?”

“Oh, I thought you said—never mind.”

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