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The older man stared up at Avery and frowned, his gaze going from Avery to the other lady and back. “I heard the murder victims looked like Agent Hart. I was worried she would be the next target. She’s been looking out for our community, but she doesn’t have anyone looking out for her.” He frowned up at Avery. “Who are you? And why are you holding us at gunpoint? Agent Hart is with the FBI. She’s not the murderer.”
“Is she Agent Hart? Is she with the FBI?” Avery asked, her gaze pinning the imposter’s. “Who are you?”
The woman pushed to her feet and brushed her hands across her jeans.
“Her name is Bree Lansing,” Grant’s voice sounded from behind Avery. “She’s from Omaha, Nebraska, and a detective on the police force.”
“A detective?” Avery shook her head. “That’s hard to believe.”
Bree met and held her gaze. “Not when we look so much alike. Don’t you see it?”
Avery frowned. “Yes, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that you impersonated me.”
Chapter 7
“Wait...what?” Dan stared at Bree, then back at Avery and then back at Bree. “You’re not Agent Hart?”
Bree shook her head. “No.” Then she tipped her head toward Avery. “She is.”
“You’ve been impersonating a federal officer. That’s a federal offense,” Avery said. “Working as a detective on a city police force, you, of all people, should know that.”
“Look,” Bree said, “point that weapon in another direction or use it.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Avery said, though she was fighting to keep her hand from shaking and showing just how outraged she was.
Grant held out his hand and took the gun from her. “What’s his story?” he pointed the barrel at Dan.
“He saved me from whoever was in my room.” Bree’s eyes narrowed at Dan as she held out a hand to the man. “Although it’s creepy that you’ve been watching me.”
Dan let her pull him to his feet. “You were nice to me the other day. I don’t like to see nice people hurt.”
Bree brushed the dirt off her jeans. “Is that why you bring coffee to the sheriff’s station?”
Dan nodded. “They work hard to take care of the community.”
“Go home, Dan,” Bree said.
“But what if that guy comes back?” Dan protested, glancing past them to the street beyond.
“I’ll handle him,” Bree said. “I would’ve handled him, even if you hadn’t come along.”
“He was much bigger than you,” Avery said. “In this case, size matters.”
“Yeah, well, I won’t let that determine my fate.” Bree lifted her chin. “Want to go back to the bar and grill and talk? I’m thinking you also want to bring Agent Bradley and Sheriff Taylor in on whatever conversation we’re going to have.”
“Damn right, I do.” Avery shot a glance at Dan. “Are you all right? Could we give you a ride home?”
“My car is parked behind the building,” Dan said. “I can get myself home.”
“Yeah?” Bree said. “And what if the guy you knocked down circles back because he’s pissed?” She lifted her chin. “I’ll walk you back to your car.”
“You’re not walking him anywhere,” Avery said. “The only place you’re going is to the sheriff’s station to be locked up.”
“Look, you can lock me up or do whatever after you make sure this man makes it safely back to his car,” Bree said. “He very well could’ve saved my life.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Dan insisted.
Bree hooked the man’s arm and turned him toward the end of the building. “Come on, Dan. Thank you for coming to my rescue when you did. However, you had no business following me around, no matter if it was to keep an eye on me. You need to go home.”
