Page 35 of Taken by the Lawman

While he talked, she tried absorbing his words, but nothing registered. She turned and braced her hands on the edge of the counter, trying to get her breaths even and shallow, hoping her heart would return to normal before she passed out.

When he hung up, she turned back. His jaw was tight and his gaze narrowed. “What is it?”’

“We got the tip we’ve been waiting on. Everest Gilbert has been found. We got a hit from his cell.”

*

The target was sitting at a table in the five-star Italian restaurant when Deegan strolled across the maze of tables and took a seat across from the wide-eyed man. “Can I help you?” he asked.

“I’ll cut to the chase. Yes, you can help me enormously.” Deegan reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo and slapped it down on the table. “You can tell me all you know about the death of Annie Steele.”

The man dropped his gaze to the picture of him and the victim, arm in arm, at a nightclub. Several expressions flickered across his face before settling on a pinched brow and pale pallor. “Where did you get this picture?” He picked it up and Deegan thought he saw a sliver of sadness on the man’s face before he expertly drew his emotions back in.

“A gift from Annie’s roommate.”

Everest smirked, dropped the picture back onto the table and eased into the chair. All signs of sorrow were gone from his demeanor as he picked invisible lint from his designer jacket. “Who are you and what the hell do you want?”

Deegan flashed his badge and Everest glanced around the restaurant, looking for eavesdroppers maybe. He leaned in and said in a lowered voice, “I haven’t done anything wrong. You’re interrupting my lunch.”

“Then you should have no problem answering a few of my questions.” The man was as nervous as a cornered squirrel. Deegan always believed you could learn a lot by looking at a person’s hands. Everest had clean, polished nails, and probably hadn’t seen a hard day’s labor in his life. That meant Deegan would have to tiptoe on eggshells.

Several tense seconds passed. “Not in here.” He planted a plastic smile on his face when the waitress stepped up to take his order.

Although Deegan didn’t trust the man farther than he could throw him, he realized he couldn’t lay on too much pressure. Everest was right, he hadn’t done anything wrong, and if he decided to hire a lawyer, this would all go downhill and fast. “Finish your lunch and meet me outside.” Waiting for his nod, Deegan stood, but before he left he said, “Don’t bother running.”

“And ruin my Vuittons? No,” he said smugly.

“Enjoy the snails.” Deegan winked and stepped outside and met Kiersten on the sidewalk. “Just as I suspected he would. He wanted a moment to prepare himself before he talked.”

“Is he coming?” she asked.

“He’ll be out after he realizes he has no other choice. I asked the cook to make sure he didn’t get out the back door. Best fifty I’ve ever spent.” He stepped over to the side, next to the corner of the building. “The guy is hiding something, and smug. He’ll cave.”

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