Page 41 of Off the Hook

“It’s not flimsy,” Ramirez insisted. “All the circumstantial evidence points right at Rodman. Breaking into the victim’s house. Fingerprints in the mother’s house that was ransacked. And he’s got motive for days.”

I blinked at him, incredulous. “The mother confirmed he helped her move a couch months ago, which would explain the few prints on the scene.” I shook my head, disgusted. “You’re ignoring the real evidence and focusing on the circumstantial, and you know it. Is this some kind of vendetta or what?”

Ramirez leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “All the reasons I have for going after him are in the evidence, Detective. The only bias here is yours,” he seethed. “You’re defending him because you got too close. But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s guilty as sin.”

I clenched my fists, and bit back my instinct to call him a pig-headed idiot. The fact of the matter was Ihadgotten too close, but only after the evidence cleared him. “I’m not defending the guy because I like him. I’m defending him because the evidence shows that he’s innocent.”

“Look, Faith,” Ramirez sighed and rubbed his temples. “We have to take all the evidence into account when we build our case. You know that. What upsets you is that we have a solid case against Coulter Rodman.”

The walls were closing in around me and crumbling to rubble at the same time. This couldn’t be happening. I drew in a deep breath, mustering composure. “What upsets me is that you seem hellbent on convicting an innocent man. If we want to solve this case, then we should focus on finding the man whose DNA was under Kylie’s nails.”

“You’re the one who’s not being objective,” Ramirez mumbled. It took everything I had not to lay into him. Thankfully I controlled myself, so the Sheriff didn’t see me losing my shit when he swung the conference room door open.

Sheriff Bennett nodded, his face stern. “Detectives, Kylie’s funeral is this afternoon. You two should attend, see if anyone unusual shows their face.”

“Good idea,” I forced a smile, hoping to will the pulsing vein on my forehead into submission. “We will keep our distance, out of respect for the family.”

Oscar just nodded, his jaw clenched tight.

“No need for that,” Waylan sighed. “My sister will be happy to see you both. No one wants you to solve this case more than she does.”

There were at least a hundred people milling around outside the Island Community Church, but I spotted Coulterimmediately, with an auburn-haired beauty on his arm. I might have been jealous were he not also surrounded by his brothers and father.Must be Ava.All the Rodman boys were the spitting image of their father, and they all seemed uncomfortable in their coats and ties. Like fish out of water. Ava bore only a slight resemblance to them, and looked far more comfortable in her designer dress and pearls.

Coulter caught sight of me and our eyes met briefly before we both looked away and I pretended he wasn’t there. I couldn’t let my feelings show, this was not the time or place.

After the crowd filed into the church, I followed Oscar inside to the back pew. Funerals are normally somber affairs, and this one was no different, but it was an especially stark contrast to the usually-colorful Keys atmosphere. The dark clothing, the faces etched in grief, and the hushed tones gave me a chill.

Baskets of white lilies adorned the altar where Kylie’s mother and stepfather stood by the closed casket. Mournful music mixed with the sounds of Doreen’s sobs as they received condolences. Ed stood stoically at her side, exchanging hugs with the steady stream of mourners as they passed.

“That looks like the fiancé.” Oscar nodded toward the dark-haired young man approaching Kylie’s mom. He had puffy, red rimmed eyes, like he’d been crying all day. But even with a tear stained face, there was no mistaking him for the smiling young man we’d seen in the engagement photos.

“Yeah, that’s Jake Thompson.”

Watching the procession of friends and family paying their respects was almost endearing were it not so tragic. A lump formed in my throat when Coulter approached Doreen,wrapping her in a strong embrace. Her shoulders shook as he held her. After several seconds, they broke apart and he followed his sister who waited for him.

Glancing at Oscar, I saw him squinting to watch Coulter’s reaction. “Cool as a cucumber,” he said smugly, as though it proved his point. This was not the time or place to argue about it, so I bit my tongue.

After the service, Oscar made a beeline for Jake. I jogged to get ahead of him and run interference. The man had no filter, and these people were grieving. “Mr. Thompson, I am so sorry for your loss,” I began, trying to keep my voice gentle.

“Thank you,” Jake sniffled. “Did you know Kylie?”

“I’m Detective Pierce, this is Detective Ramirez. We’re the officers investigating her death.”

“Oh,” he wiped his eyes. “Good. I hope you find the asshole that did this.” His lips pressed together but they quivered anyway.

“I know this isn’t the best time,” I said softly, “but we need to ask you a few questions about the day Kylie died.”

“Of course.” Jake frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was in Minnesota with my family. Kylie wouldn’t put her foot down and insist on the time off at the Lorelei because so many other employees were out for Christmas.”

“I understand,” I said, shooting Oscar a look that I hoped he’d read as intended–pleading for patience. Turning back to Jake, I said, “There’s a call to you on her phone that morning. How was she? Anything strange about that conversation?”

“No, nothing,” Jake replied, dabbing at his puffy eyes. “She was her usual bubbly self. Talked about flowers for the wedding.”

Oscar couldn’t contain himself any longer, oblivious to Jake’s pain. “We need you to come down to the station for fingerprints and a DNA sample. Standard procedure to rule you out.”

Jake hesitated, seemingly confused. “I was in Minnesota.”

“As my partner said, it’s just procedure,” I said, touching his forearm empathetically.

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