Page 22 of Claiming His Bunny
The doorbell chimes again, but there’s no angry pounding. Has Craig switched into an apologetic mode already? Is he waiting behind the door with a bouquet and a fake apology? Well, he’s in for quite a surprise.
I fling the door open. “Listen, you…!” The shout dies in my throat as I take in the woman standing in front of me, my breath catching as I notice her badge. I stare at her with my mouth agape. Has Amy called the police, after all? “Um, yes?”
“Ms. Hudges?” the woman asks.
“Uh, no. I’m Kayla Reynolds. I’m staying with Amy for a little while. Is there a problem?”
“I’m Detective Brown, and I need to speak with Ms. Hudges. Is she here?”
Only as I raise my hand to rub my forehead do I realize I’m still holding the pepper spray and hastily put it away. “Yes, she’s—”
“I’m here,” Amy says from the bedroom doorway, her voice shaky. “Is there a problem?”
Brown does her best to maintain a professional expression, but I see her homing in on Amy’s bruises. “I’m afraid so, Ms. Hudges,” she says. “May I come inside?”
“Of course.”
Since Amy looks like she’s about to faint, I maneuver her into a chair. “Please, sit down, Detective,” I tell Brown. “Can you tell us what’s going on?”
Brown sighs a little as she sits down. “Ms. Hudges, you’re listed as an emergency contact for Mr. Craig Denver. Is that correct?”
“Y-yes,” Amy whispers. “Is he…did something happen to him?” I squeeze her shoulder for support. Craig might be a world-class bastard, but he and Amy were together for a year, and despite everything, she still loves him.
Brown’s expression turns solemn. “Ms. Hudges, there has been an incident involving your boyfriend. I’m sorry to inform you, but he passed away. I know that this is difficult, but—”
“What?!” Amy gasps. “But…no, that’s not true! I…oh my god, this is all my fault.”
I’m stunned by the news myself, but I manage to push through the daze. Gripping Amy’s shoulders, I crouch beside her. “Ames. Amy! This isn’t your fault.”
“Of course it is! I—I was so angry, Kayla. I—I wanted him dead,” she whispers fearfully. “Even before this”—she gestures at her bruises—“I sometimes wished…I wished he never came back. But I never wanted himactuallydead!” she adds, turning to Detective Brown. “You have to believe me!”
I pull her into a hug. “Amy, they won’t arrest you for wishing the man who abused you for months dead. What happened?” I ask the detective, holding Amy’s sobbing form in my arms. “How did he die?”
“It seems it was a drug deal gone wrong,” Brown says, her gaze turning thoughtful. “Ms. Hudges, may I ask where were you yesterday around five p.m.?”
“In a hospital,” I answer in Amy’s stead. “Getting an MRI to make sure Craig Denver didn’t give her a concussion when he beat her. I’m sure the doctors there will confirm it,” I add in a clipped tone. I know Brown has to ask that question, that it’s protocol, but it still irks me to no end.
Nodding slowly, the detective scribbles down a note into her tiny notebook. “I’m sure they will.”
“It makes no sense,” Amy whispers, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. “Craig never did drugs. He was a professional football player. He wouldn’t risk a suspension just to get high.”
“Well, the medical examiner discovered traces of drugs in his system, and he was killed in the part of the town people rarely visit unless they’re looking to buy something,” Brown replies. “But we will definitely look into it further and keep you informed.”
“You don’t have to,” I say. “I think Amy doesn’t need to hear more about that man.” At her accusatory look, I shrug. “What, Ames? Sorry to be blunt, but you’re better off. At least now you don’t have to worry about him coming back.” I immediately regret my harsh words when she bursts into tears again and sprints out of the room. Dammit, I’m such an idiot.
Detective Brown sighs as she stands up. “That wasn’t exactly diplomatic,” she quips.
“Yeah, it wasn’t,” I admit. “I’m just so fucking glad he won’t be touching her again. I mean…” I hesitate, realizing that saying such things to a homicide detective probably isn’t the brightest idea ever. “I have an alibi, too,” I add quickly. “I was in the hospital with Amy.”
With a chuckle, Brown heads for the door. “You’re not a suspect, Ms. Reynolds. Neither is Ms. Hudges. Craig Denver was killed by someone with great physical strength and agility, most likely a tall, strong man. You’re neither. And…I’m saying this as a woman, not as a police officer, but you’re allowed to be grateful that the man who abused your friend is dead.”
“Thanks. I know you have to investigate his murder, but…let’s just say that the world is better without Craig in it.”
“That might be true,” Brown agrees, “but his death also means there’s a dangerous killer on the loose. I have to stop him before he hurts someone else.” She produces a card from her pocket and offers it to me. “Call me if you or Ms. Hudges think of anything that might be helpful.”
I slide the card into my pocket, already knowing I won’t even show it to Amy. She’s been through enough. She doesn’t need the added weight of being pulled into a murder investigation.
Chapter 14
