Page 155 of Triggered By Love
“Essentially, it could have been your gun.”
“No way. I’ve never misplaced any of my guns.”
“Fine, fine, it’s a rumor Kerry heard.” Finn made a sharp turn to avoid mowing down a pedestrian. “Don’t they look before crossing?”
“New York pedestrians used to be more alert before cell phones,” Jason said. “What’s this rumor?”
“We’re almost there. I’ll let her tell you,” Finn said.
It had to be as bad as Tatiana’s baseless accusations that he was the one who hired Ernesto—except, he just got another link. Whoever had hired Ernesto knew Jason carried a Smith & Wesson Shield, or was it coincidence? If so, had he been the true target last year? Him or Alida, or even Larry Leach who was sitting behind them? And had they wanted to frame him, they could have claimed he gave Ernesto the gun—one of his, and filed off the serial number.
Yet, if Jason were the target, why did Avery get stabbed by the quill? It had to be her. She was keeping secrets, and someone was worried she’d tell. Only, they also knew she wouldn’t tell. She was being blackmailed. She would be too embarrassed, and she didn’t want to cast shame on her family—especially with her father running for office.
Finn hit the brakes hard, and Jason lunged forward, slapping his head against the side panel. It was like getting slapped by God.
Avery had told someone her secret.
It had to be Brando, because if he were Brando, he would have demanded it out of her in exchange for forgiving her.
Brando had evidently found out who raped Avery in front of Professor Leach. Brando had gone off and confronted this person during the hours Avery said he was incognito.
Brando was gunned down.
The killer made a crucial mistake trying to pin it on Jason.
“We’re here,” Finn announced. “I snagged that spot. Sorry about bumping your head.”
“Glad you did.” Jason said, slapping his newfound buddy on the shoulder. He now had a theory, and he was going to put it to a test. “Let’s see what Kerry says.”
“You’re not going to like it,” Finn said.
“Oh, I’m thinking I’m going to love it.”
Chapter Fifty-One
It was exactlywhat he thought.
Jason thanked Kerry for the rumor and told her to keep her ears to the ground. She told him Trent started the rumor, that he was playing detective and telling everyone Jason had commandeered the porcupine quills. He said Ivanna worked on the quills while staying with him, and they had all touched them without incident.
Kerry’s rumor checked out with Tatiana’s, both of which implicated Jason. Had the killer overplayed his hand? If this was about him, then it had to be someone who wanted to cause trouble for him. Kill two birds with one stone.
“Hope Avery will be okay for the Broadway show,” Kerry said after apologizing for listening to the Jason as perp rumor. “And the jet-skiing date we set up.”
“I think she’ll be fine,” Jason said. “Pufferfish toxin can leave a person disoriented, but the danger is over. She should be completely recovered in a few days.”
“I’m so relieved.” Kerry put her hands to her face. “I can’t tell you how awful I felt when I saw her go down. I was holding on to Mrs. Bonet who also slumped forward. I didn’t know if we’d been attacked by poisonous gas. I thought I’d faint, too.”
“But you didn’t,” Finn said. “You were great.”
“What did Saul and Ivanna do at that moment?” Jason asked. “Did you notice?”
“Saul was fiddling with his camera, and Ivanna bent over Avery, shaking her. Blade and Trent were also hovering over Avery.”
“So Saul was closer to you and Mrs. Bonet?” Jason asked sharply.
“Yes, he helped me with Mrs. Bonet, and then when the elevator stopped, he and Ivanna made a run for it. They didn’t get far.”
“Nope, they didn’t.” Jason tucked away that tidbit. “If you remember anything, write it down. I’m going to see if I can get Avery out of the hospital.”
