Page 121 of Skeletons in the Closet

“And how do you know he was treated in hospital on October thirteenth?” Fox asked.

I jumped in before Tallus could respond. “That’s not your concern. We just know.” I was prepared for them to question our findings, but it didn’t mean I owed them an explanation.

“And he was stoned?” Doyle asked.

“Or drunk. You can confirm those details.”

Fox huffed. “Oh, can we? We need a warrant to do that, and your hunch about a random dude being involved ain’t exactly gonna convince a judge.”

“It’s not a hunch,” I snarled. Tallus pressed his thigh against my leg under the table. “We have emails that show a link between Noah and David.”

“Good for you. Again, we don’t,” Fox snarked.

“Actually, you do.” I kept my tone level, working hard to contain my anger. I didn’t like this meeting. I hated its necessity. “You have a dead woman, which gives you all the reasons in the world for a search warrant.”

“We’ve done that.” Doyle’s tone contrasted with his partner’s. He seemed more curious about the case than irritated about how much we knew.

I focused on him. “You’ve gone through her computer?”

“Yes, and—”

“Her work computer?” Tallus asked, cutting in.

“Yes, but…” Doyle glanced at Fox.

“Don’t look at me. I told that fucker we needed it pronto. You know how he is. Mine is not the ass he kisses.”

Doyle and Fox both spun simultaneously to look at Valor.

“Hey, hot stuff.” Aslan cooed at his husband, who sneered before rolling his eyes.

“Good grief. Let me out.” Valor had been sitting quietly in the corner during our discussion. He slid out of the booth and dug his phone from a pocket.

“Don’t be mad, Valor. We love your bromance with Ruiz. It’s beneficial in so many ways.”

“Thank you,” Doyle added as his husband walked away to place a call.

With Valor gone, Doyle and Fox took a minute to have a silent conversation.

“We can bring David back in for more questioning,” Doyle said, “especially if Ruiz can tie him to Noah somehow. We can tell him we know Noah was with him that night. See what he has to say.”

“Hypothetically.” Fox held up a finger. “Where did we come up with this hyped-up theory if he asks?”

“None of his business.”

“He’ll bring his lawyer back, and that won’t fly.”

“Hang on.” I narrowed my eyes at the pair of homicide detectives, interrupting their chat. “Was Shore released?”

“Yeah. This morning,” Fox said. “Posted bail.”

“Shit.”

“What?” Doyle frowned.

“Olivia. She could be in danger. He already killed Beth to shut her up.”

Doyle shook his head. “We don’t have proof of that. He has an alibi for the time frame surrounding her death. We looked into it after you suggested there might be a connection.”

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