Page 113 of Evidence of a Folktale

“We know the truth. We can stophimnow.”

“You can’t, and you won’t.” Rollo sagged lower in his chair, his massive size a childashe shrank in on himself. “You should’ve let me kill Draven and end this.”

“Maybe I should have.” Bel twisted the handle. “And I might have if your animal dragged them deep into the woods where we’d never find them. But you didn’t do that. You had to antagonize me, so this isthe ending we get.” She shut the door, her heart unable to endure any more of this conversation, and she left the deputy behind in search of the only person who could undo the knot in her chest.

“He confessed to everything.” She leaned against her desk, the fight draining from her muscles as she gazed down at Eamon. He looked unnaturally massive sitting in her chair, and exhaustion begged her to curl up in his lap and forget the past hours.

“He didn’t even wait for a lawyer,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest to stop herself from reaching for his comfort. The station was unusually busy since half of the deputies had gotten stuck there overnight, she and Eamon included. After they arrived with Rollo and Draven in custody, the already violent blizzard took a turn for the worse. Not even Eamon’s skills could combat the snow, their vehicles buried as the town’s street plows fought a losing battle. Griffin had rushed to the station after the accident when he realized Bel was missing. Hours later, she’d returned covered in blood, one of theirownofficers in tow, and everyone understood the pain the next few days would inflict. Beau Draven clammed up after they processed him, refusing to speak until his lawyer arrived, but with the storm raging outside, he was confined to the holding cell until the roads cleared.Ethan Rollo,on the other hand, didn’t care to escape his fate.

“Draven isn’t talking, but I expected that,” she continued. “But Rollo claims he has evidence that’ll prove Rossa, Roja, Rot, Rouge, and Reds are guilty of murder. He tried taking it to the police six years ago, but they ignored him.”

“That would’ve been the deal’s doing,” Eamon said.

“Luckily, someone dangerous protects this town.” Bel cupped his cheek. “Hopefully, whatever Rollo has will give us enough to put Draven away.”

“Let’s hope.” He peeled her hand off his face and folded it into his fist. “I’m assumingthe wolf wasn’t mentioned.”

“No, but Griffin knows we’re hiding something. He’s smart, though. He’ll stick to the narrative we lay out for him.”

“So, the murder weapon?”

“Lost in the snow?”

“With the feet that fell last night, no one’s driving into the woods anytime soon,” Eamon said. “I’ll have time to drop‘proof’up there.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s no problem.”

“How do you feel?” She gripped his jaw and tilted his gaze upso she couldstudy his eyes.

“Horrible for you.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Physically, I’m great, and the temporary high has worn off.”

“Good.” Bel released his chin and lifted her fingersto her lips, kissing them before pressing them to his mouth. “I love you, you know that? I realize you’re hard to kill, but the fear I felt when he ripped into you. I understand what you meant when you said you’re always afraid because of me. You are at the top of the food chain, but what happens when you meet your match?”

“Rollo was not my match.” Eamon stood up, his frame looming over her, andclearlynot caring that a station full of witnesses swarmed about them, he cupped her face. “I made you a promise. I’m staying by your side until one of us dies, and it’s going to take a lot more than a wolf to rip me from you.”

“Promise?”

“I swear it.” He stared at her lips as ifhe wasdebating risking it all, but then he pulled away and sank back into her office chair. “How are you holding up?”

“I hope the snow never stops,” she said as she glanced at the pale morning light seeping through the frosted windows. “Violet thinks Rollo couldn’t make it to her apartment because of the weather, but when the storm slows and the streets clear, I’ll have to confess that I let her date a serial killer. I lost Olivia because of Ewan’s lies. How many friends is the truth going to cost me?”

It took mostof the afternoon to dig Bajka out from below the heavy snow, and as soon as the roads were manageable, Griffin sent Bel and Eamon home. She’d been on the clock for over twenty-four hours, and while she’d changed clothes, her bloody skin had only seen a sink for a shower. She hadn’t slept except for the few hours stolen on Griffin’s couch, and no one had eaten anythingother thanvending machine snacks. Exhaustion filled the station, and Griffin wanted everyone to rest whileBajka’s focus remainedon the storm. The town was emerging from their shelters, and with the temporary disruption to the cell service, news of Rollo and Draven’s arrests had yet to spread. For now, Bajka was a sleepy winter wonderland, but it was only a matter of time before it woke to a nightmare. When that happened, Griffin needed all hands on deck, Eamon included. He didn’t know the truth about Rollo, but Bel had chased the deputy into the woods alone and emerged with Eamon at her side. He was smart enough to understand what that meant. So Bel and Eamon raced to the Reale Estate to rescue the abandoned Cerberus. Too exhausted to even speak, they cared for the animal before showering and eating cold leftovers. Then they ceased to exist until their early morning alarm dragged them back to the land of the living twelve hours later.

“Thanks for helping,” Griffin said when Eamon climbed out of Bel’s SUV. The sheriff had been waiting for them outside the station. “I spoke to the district attorney, and we’re moving Rollo to a more secure pre-trial detention jail in about an hour. We don’t want such a high-profile murder suspect staying in our cells, and with news of Draven’s arrest spreading after the bail hearing, I’m worried about our station’s safety. I realize it’s unorthodox, but it might be safer for all involved if you’re present.”

“I agree,” Eamon said.

“That was fast,” Bel said. “When did all this happen?”

“First thing this morning,” Griffin answered. “A case involving an actor as famous as Draven is bound to be expedited. I don’t like how rushed it is, but my hands are tied. The legal system favors those with big names and even bigger wallets.”

“Will Draven make bail?” Bel asked.

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