Page 37 of Taken by the Lawman

Tearing a hand through his hair, looking more uncomfortable, he finally answered, “Does it matter what I think?”

“You say she was your friend, and by the pictures we saw, you two shared a lot. If you cared for her, you’d want the truth to be known. Now again, do you believe Annie was into drugs?” Deegan asked.

After several seconds and a shift of his shoes, he shrugged. “No, she wasn’t into drugs. Annie loved life, loved being herself. We talked all the time about her dreams. She didn’t mean to fall in love with Kline, but she did. And she certainly didn’t mean to become pregnant with his child.”

“So you knew about the baby?” Kiersten felt the last few bricks crumble. The man knew he was backed against the wall.

“Yeah, I did. I tried to talk her into getting rid of it, but she had this mixed-up fantasy inside her head that Kline was going to leave his wife and marry her.” His laugh was bitter. “That was Annie for you. She couldn’t see this for what it was…” As if he realized he’d said more than he should, he clamped his mouth tight. “I’ve said enough. I’ve got to go.”

“Everest, this is your time to tell your side of things. If you tell us everything, we can keep your name, and your personal interests, out of the report. If you don’t, your name, as well as others, will be plastered on the news when this case breaks wide open. And it will. Trust me, it always does. I’m surprised the media hounds haven’t found this out yet.” Deegan didn’t flinch an eye.

Everest took two steps back and looked from Kiersten to Deegan, then lowered his gaze to the ground for several seconds. When he brought his chin back up there were tears in his eyes. “Politicians do this. They plant spies in opponents’ campaigns all the time. It’s become the norm.”

Kiersten met Deegan’s gaze for a mere heartbeat, then asked, “Who wanted a spy?”

He looked defeated. “Representative Peter Clay and his team. He asked me if I knew someone who could be trusted. Someone smart, beautiful, and looking to make money.”

“And you thought of Annie.”

“She was all those things. Smart, brilliant, sexy, educated, and I knew she wanted to pay off her student loans so she could travel,” Everest admitted.

“Representative Clay paid her to infiltrate Kline’s campaign?” Deegan said in a low, menacing tone. “To help dig up dirt to prevent him from being re-elected?”

Everest brought his gaze around. “Are you surprised? You don’t think the Senator did the same?”

Deegan took two threatening steps toward the other man who quickly stepped back until he pressed against the brick of the building. “What I know is you have Annie’s blood on your hands. And Clay does as well.”

“Th—that’s not true.” His eyes misted. “I had nothing to do with her death. Neither did Peter. None of us had anything to do with her death. I cared for her.”

“Who do you think would want her dead and have something to gain then, Everest?” Kiersten asked.

“The same person I believe did it when I heard the news. Senator Kline.”

“Why?” Deegan barked.

“Because he found out she was a spy. That’s my guess.”

*

“It’s only his opinion.”

“True.” Deegan tightened his grip on the steering wheel, expecting Kiersten’s next words.

“But it does make sense. Kline never planned to leave his wife, we both know that, and when he went to end the affair, he found out that she was pregnant. He kills her and covers it up as an overdose. Or he was so angry over her betrayal that he did it as revenge.”

He wanted to argue, but what could he say? Fingers were pointed at Max. “How can we believe anything that comes out of Gilbert’s mouth? He’d say anything to protect his secrets, and Clay.”

“I agree that he wants to keep things private, but if this is the truth, it’s even bigger than we thought. Not only is the Senator on the top of the list of suspects, but so is Representative Clay. They both have motive.”

He gave her a side glance. “True.”

“So, under this theory, we know that Annie was hired by Clay to spy on his opponent. Whether or not sleeping with Kline was part of her hired obligations, we might never know, but it happened, and she fell in love. Got pregnant. Everest said once she wanted something permanent with Kline, she stopped taking Clay’s money. I could see him fearing that she would divulge the secret of the smear campaign.” There was a long pause. “But are either of these men capable of killing?”

“Over the years I’ve learned what men, even the cleanest of men, will do to get ahead, but I know Max. I think he loved her.”

“Okay. He loved her but imagine how angry he’d be when he found out the truth.”

He nodded. “I won’t deny that either of these two men could be guilty.”

---