Page 49 of Forensics of a Fable

“It’s why I hid the truth. I couldn’t explain anything without sounding insane, but you have to believe me. I killed that hunter out of self-defense. He would have murdered me and then tracked down my family. I had to kill him to protect my pack, but I swear to you, I had nothing to do with Olivia or those girls.”

Bel rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms, hating that everything he said made sense, but also immensely relieved that Eamon wasn’t the intended target

“You believe me, don’t you?” Ewan leaned desperately across the table. “I had no choice about the hunter, but I’m telling the truth about Olivia. I’m not a dangerous predator, nor am I anything like that man, Stone. My actions were born solely of self-defense, and I could never harm Olivia. I realize I sound ridiculous, but meeting her was like finding my other half.”

“I believe you.” Bel understood his inexplicable connection to Gold. She felt that same pull every time that dangerous man outside laid his eyes on her. “Which means we’re no closer to recovering her, and if you didn’t take her, then the actual killer has Olivia. I hoped you took her, mistakenly thinking it was me in the dark parking lot. I suspected you planned to use me to trap Eamon, so I’d assumed she was still alive. But if that’s not the case, the killer has no reason to delay.” Bel stood, her anxiety urging her to pace. “As far as the police are concerned, a bear killed that hiker. Eamon dealt with the rifle, so the investigation is closed.” Ewan started to thank her, but she held up a hand. “You’ll need a better lie for why you had that ring in your possession, and if you stay in Bajka, I’ll be watching. You may fear Eamon Stone, but I don’t, and he won’t tolerate you stepping out of line. Neither will I.”

“I wouldn’t dream of crossing either of you.”

“I won’t charge you with any crimes, which means you’ll be free to go,” Bel said. “So tell me, how good are your senses in your human form?”

“One conversation,and you’re suddenly convinced Orso’s innocent?” Sheriff Griffin stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “I just pulled you out of that interview room to stop you from harassing him, and now you think we have the wrong guy?”

“He didn’t take her,” Bel said, trying to formulate an acceptable explanation without admitting the truth. “He builds furniture from recycled materials and objects he salvages from nature. His artistic obsession made him steal the ring, but that’s as far as his involvement goes.”

“Emerson, you didn’t really expect I would fall for an excuse that ridiculous, and frankly, I’m surprised you did.”

“It wasn’t his words,” Bel argued. “It was his tone. His movements. His eyes. He’s in love with Gold, and I don’t thinkhe would put her in harm’s way. The only thing Ewan Orso is guilty of is being stupid.”

“You truly believe he’s innocent?”

“Holding him was a stretch. His only connection was the ring, but looking at the entire picture, he makes no sense. He wasn’t in town when the vet was robbed. He never cleaned the ring, which implies he isn’t squeamish, and based on the profile of our killer, he wants to kill while having nothing to do with death.”

“If he’s not guilty, why did you storm in here so aggressively this morning?” Griffin asked.

“We found another cabin with signs of life on the Reale Estate. The hiker the bear attacked appeared to have been staying there, and since there are only so many cabins on the property, finding it empty made me panic. Based on the killer’s timeline, we’re out of time.”

“What do you mean, you found another cabin?” Griffin stepped forward, and out of the corner of her eye, Bel saw Eamon’s muscles tense where he stood against the wall. “I told you to be safe. To stay home.”

“I wasn’t alone.” She shifted her weight, shaking her head slightly to stop the glaring Eamon from charging, but he ignored her warning, pulling Cerberus with him. “I had help and a guide.”

“Emerson, if I didn’t need you so badly, I would throw you off this case for being careless… Mr. Stone? What are you doing here?” Griffin looked up at the hulking blond with surprise and a thread of annoyance, but Eamon ignored him.

“May I speak with you?” He gripped Bel by the elbow.

“Mr. Stone, whatever you wish to say to Detective Emerson, now is not the time,” Griffin challenged. “Emerson, what is he doing here with your dog?”

“I found the cabin the hiker was squatting in,” Eamon answered coldly. “I brought it to the detective’s attention, so there’s no need to be harsh with her. She was simply doing her job and alerting you,” he lied. “I’ve been trying to locate potential sites that the killer might use, but I’m only one man. Detective Gold is believed to be out there on my property, and I informed Isobel of my discovery so we could organize a search.”

“You came to request we organize a search of the entire estate?” Griffin’s eyes dipped to where Eamon still held her elbow, and Bel could tell he was trying to piece together what was going on between them after the way he spoke her full name.

“We have no leads,” Bel answered for Eamon. “Foley Locks is missing. We haven’t seen or heard from Gold in almost two days. Logically, requesting volunteers to search the hiking paths of the Reale Estate makes the most sense. Both Drie and Kolm were found near trails. It’s probably how the killer located the sheds.”

“Women have been dying on my property,” Eamon said. “I would like to prevent a police officer from joining them, so I came to offer my assistance and cooperation. I have the means to help you organize such a search.”

Bel kept her eyes trained forward, knowing if she looked at Eamon, she would give them away. He was too smooth a liar, too convincing. She almost believed that was why he was at the station.

“Sheriff?” A deputy called as he rushed across the room. Griffin turned his head, and Eamon seized his distraction.

“What is Orso?” he whispered in Bel’s ear, pulling her closer to him.

“The bear.”

“The one that tried to kill you?” He tensed, his body going too still against her back.

“He was trying to save me from you. He was looking for Gold, scented you, and thought I was in danger.”

“And you believed his explanation?” Eamon’s deadly voice was like shards of ice, cold and razor-sharp. “You trust he’s telling you the truth?”

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