Page 192 of The Forbidden Note

“I’m Zane,” I say.

Dutch flashes me an angry look.

Finn just stays right where he is, arms loose at his side and yet tense, like a panther waiting to spring.

“Ah.” Bradley taps his pen against his book. He glances at Dutch. “I need to speak with him in private.”

“Is he a person of interest in a case?” Finn asks.

Bradley’s eyebrows jump. When he looks at Finn again, it’s with a hint of wariness. “No.”

“Then we’re staying,” Dutch declares. “He just got out of surgery and we can’t leave him alone.”

“Very well.” Bradley clears his throat and fastens dark brown eyes on me. I stare right back into them, making calculations of my own.

He’s got a hardened face, the kind you’d expect to see on a jaded police officer. His hair is silver along the edges and his mouth is a sharp, slashing line above his chin. There’s a no-nonsense air to him, but if he’s someone in Hall or Harris’s pocket, I wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking anyway.

“Zane, were you at the Redwood dance last night?”

“Yes, so were half the kids in this city.”

“And where were you around the hours of eight-forty to nine thirty-two?”

Behind me, Sol holds his breath.

“Me? I was under my girlfriend’s skirt, giving her the time of her life.” I’m irritated but my tone doesn’t show it. A crap-eating smile tugs at the corner of my lips, disguising my true feelings. “She was being pretty damn loud too. Almost got us caught.”

Bradley blinks slowly, staring at my face like he can tell I’m full of crap.

But I don’t break a sweat. I’m really freaking good at acting like nothing bothers me.

“You were with your girlfriend at that exact time? Are you sure?”

“I wasn’t looking at my watch, but yeah. I’m pretty sure.”

He nods to his partner who opens up a book. “Can your girlfriend verify this?”

“She can,” I say confidently. Dutch’s shoulders start tensing. I stare the officer right in the eyes and add, “But before I drag her into this, what exactly are you questioning me for?”

He snaps the book closed. “You’re aware of the fire that was set at Redwood Prep yesterday?”

“Yeah, I’d say we all got doused.” I lift my wrist. “It was a crappy ending to a crappy night.”

“Crappy night? Weren’t you enjoying your time with your girlfriend?”

“I said I was doing her, but she never got a chance to return the favor. As a feminist, I believe in equal opportunity.” I finish the statement with a sly grin.

Bradley’s face pinches. He jots something in his book and glances at Dutch instead. “And you are?”

“Out of patience,” Dutch growls. “If you’re done asking your questions, you need to leave.”

Bradley stares long and hard at Dutch, taking note of his aggressive stance.

“And where wereyouyesterday around the time of the fire?”

“I didn’t go to the dance,” Dutch says.

Bradley’s forehead bunches and a suspicious look enters his eyes. “I see. Can anyone verify that?”

---