Page 36 of Taken by the Lawman

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Everest Gilbert was flawlessly dressed in a designer suit, hair neatly styled, and his shoes polished, and Deegan was right. He was nervous. Although Kiersten would guarantee he was hiding something, the man didn’t have the criminal instinct.

The three of them stood in the park across from the fancy restaurant. Everest had his hands stuck deep inside his front pockets. “Just as I told you, Annie and I had been friends at work. I knew about her relationship with the politician, but I kept my nose clean. She was happy.”

“How long were they seeing each other?” Kiersten asked.

The man looked at her, grinning. “About the same time she was hired as his aide. Young desirable women can be an unhappily married man’s best friend.”

Hearing Deegan clear his throat, Kiersten didn’t look at him, instead kept her focus on the man standing before her looking like he needed a stiff drink. “You and Annie did socialize, though, outside of work.”

“Yeah, on occasion. She had big dreams. Liked to party. We checked out the locals together and had the same taste in men.” He winked.

Kiersten smiled. “She must have been stoked that she was hired on as Senator Kline’s aide. That seems like a stepping stone in the right direction to reach her dreams.”

He paced from one foot to the other. “Yeah, I guess it was.” He untucked his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms over his chest.

She knew she had to back off some, play this more gently. “RayAnn Mont told us you and Annie were pretty close.”

He rolled his eyes. “The only thing that bitch knows is how to hump a pole. I hope you don’t believe anything she said.”

“That’s why we wanted to speak to you. You seem like you knew quite a bit about Annie’s personal life and she must have trusted you. She did after all tell you about her love affair with the Senator.”

“We didn’t share play by play.”

“Of course not. So you’re a fan of Peter Clay?”

Everest patted the campaign pin on his lapel. “I guess Clay won’t have to worry about trying too hard on his campaign trail. Kline is done for.”

“I think we’ve seen each other before.” Kiersten watched him closely.

His façade slipped some. “You and me? No. I don’t think so. I bet we hang in different circles.” There was that smug smile.

“Oh, I must be a little off today. However, I’m curious, did you tell her about your love affair too? You know, tit-for-tat among buddies who share similar tastes in men, or should I say politicians?”

He blinked, his cheeks reddened, and he tugged at his collar. “What are you talking about?”

“Tell us everything, Everest,” she urged. “We just want to know what you know.”

He laughed, but it was shaky and raw. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He shook his head and directed his gaze toward Deegan “Is this what you brought me out here for? I have better things to do.” He started to walk, but Kiersten caught him by the elbow.

“Were you also having a love affair with Clay?” She went in for the kill.

“I don’t know where you get your information, but you’re wrong,” he stammered.

“If that’s the truth, then why do you look like the devil reached through your soul and grabbed your balls in his fist?” Kiersten asked.

“I don’t appreciate this—”

“Last month. The Historic Plateau. The luxury suite. I was there to sweep the place before Mr. Clay made his speech. You were on the list that security cleared, but I do believe it was under Boyd Stringfield. Now why would you need an alias unless you were hiding something.”

“This has nothing to do with Annie. I refuse to answer these questions. If you want to talk to me again, you’ll have to go through my lawyer.” He stomped toward the sidewalk.

Deegan stepped over to block is path. “I don’t care about your sex life, man, but I think there’s a connection.”

“There isn’t,” Everest snapped.

“Do you think she actually shot herself up with heroine?” Kiersten asked. “The drug was laced with fentanyl. We think she was murdered.”

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