Page 48 of All of Me

I didn’t bother speaking because I knew these weren’t the guys I needed to talk to. I also knew Rawlings would be getting me a lawyer.

They kept me cooling my heels for a while, which I was quite happy to do, because it gave Rawlings time to get me a lawyer, but eventually I was shown into a small interrogation room, and my ankles and wrists were chained. It was so predictable it was boring. I just needed to know the team had circled around Shae, and he wasn’t on his own.

I looked up as two detectives—wearing suits, so I assumed—entered with official-looking folders, and they made a great show of setting up and preparing them. I almost rolled my eyes.

“Drake Starr, I am Detective Luis Almeda.”

“Detective Amelie Brown,” the other spoke into the tape.

“Can you confirm…” I confirmed who I was, my understanding of the charge, and my Miranda rights.

“Can you tell us if you know an individual named Gary Bruin?” Almeda asked.

Gary Bruin? He was dead? Not that it was any loss after neglecting his mom and tormenting the dogs, but I’d never met the guy. What possible evidence could they have for thinking I’d killed him?

I opened my mouth to say I knew the name but had never met him when the door opened and a woman in a suit I guessed cost more than the apartment I’d sold last year entered the room.

She was my attorney, and I grinned. This had Rawlings all over it. She introduced herself as Hannah Metcalfe and demanded privacy so she could speak to her client. Both detectives left.

I glanced at the mirror, which I assumed meant they could see in, and she smiled. “It would be inadmissible and the last time they worked in law enforcement.”

Satisfied, I leaned forward. “The fuck? I never touched Bruin. I’ve never even met him.”

She nodded, but as if she expected all her defendants to say that, and it pissed me off. “He poisoned the dogs,” I said, clearly. “He treated his mom like shit,” I added. “But there’s no way Rawlings would let me get involved in whatever happened to him, and I don’t need to be. I have enough on my plate without adding petty revenge that isn’t worth my time to do it.”

She looked at me, then grinned. “Then let me tell you how you’ve been set up.”

Apparently, they had a phone video and a witness to me beating Gary Bruin up an hour before welfare had found his mom.

“Where?” I asked in astonishment. “And what witness?”

“Outside his house. He stumbles away, but you chase after him. Cops are saying you finished him off. His body was found in the woods close by and the PM corroborates the time of death for the video.”

“What day was this?” My life had been full of Shae and Tammy.

“The day after the fire department responded to a blaze at your place.”

Well, shit, that fit.

“I’m not convinced they have the evidentiary foundations to allow this video, but that’s for a court to decide, and won’t get you released tonight.”

I sighed. I knew there was no point protesting my innocence. She was doing her job. And the internet was very creative.

“Who’s this witness?”

She shook her head. “That’s court discovery, and may only be shared later just prior to the trial or even during the trial for this type of allegation.”

“So what do we do?”

“I have a bail hearing before a judge at nine a.m. tomorrow and it's unlikely it will be granted even with your spotless record, unfortunately—”

“Tammy,” I whispered, not needing it spelled out. Even if I did get out, I couldn’t go anywhere near them.

She inclined her head. “Mr. Rawlings has collected Shae Turner and his sister, and they are at his apartment.” She smirked. “Apparently that was as far away as Mr. Turner was willing to go.” Whatever this was, I couldn’t risk it falling on Shae and Tammy. If I had to go to prison for the rest of my life, I would to protect them both.

I huffed out an annoyed breath. “I don’t understand why I’m being set up, but I’m pretty sure it’s got something to do with whatever’s going on with the land.” Actually, I wasn’t sure. It could well have something to do with Albert, but that made no sense, as we’d all said before. They’d go for Albert, and if I was collateral damage, they’d just shoot me.

“So, do you understand the words ‘no comment?’” Hannah arched an eyebrow.

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