Page 103 of Swept for Forever
I placed a hand over his ass, enough to make a point.Mine.
We then took a seat on the wooden bench. Dom rolled a coin between his fingers.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Old courtroom coin.” He flipped it midair and caught it. “Silver dollar from my mentor. One hell of a public defender. He took a chance on me and gave me this after my first win.”
He handed it to me, the metal warm from his touch.
“I should tell him you’re keeping up the good work,” I teased.
Dom’s lips quirked. “We’re just getting started, Otter.”
The receptionist came over. “I’m sorry, but the sheriff won’t be back anytime soon. Turns out he’s on medical leave.”
Dom’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Everything okay?”
“As far as I know.”
“What’s wrong? I’m a friend of his.”
She shook her head. “Can’t disclose that. But Deputy Whitaker is available.”
Dom was already on his feet. “We’ll come back tomorrow. Appreciate it.”
He guided me toward the door, his voice low as we stepped outside. “Not talking to anyone but him.”
We had barely made it to the truck when a voice called out behind us.
“Sir?”
Dom stopped and turned.
The deputy jogging toward us looked young. He could’ve sat next to me in Intro to Kinesiology.
Dom’s stance shifted, not in recognition, but evaluation.
“I didn’t get your name,” the deputy said, slowing to a stop. His uniform was still stiff from a fresh press, his duty belt practically gleaming.
Dom remained calm. “Didn’t give it.”
The deputy held his ground. “I’m Deputy Whitaker.”
Dom shook his hand, but that was all he gave. No name. No small talk.
Whitaker’s gaze flicked to me, a trained assessment. “Mind stepping inside for a chat?”
Dom squared his shoulders. “What about?”
Whitaker pulled a tablet from his vest, tapped the screen, and turned it toward us. The sketch. The one that had been everywhere.
Dom held his stare. “You questioning her, Deputy?” The casual tone carried just enough bite to land as a warning.
“Not officially,” Whitaker said, hedging. “Just trying to establish a timeline. The incident at Blodgett Pass was on June 2nd.” His gaze slid to me. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”
Dom said nothing but subtly repositioned, his body angled to block me. The deputy adjusted just as fast, catching my eye.
“Look, I’m not accusing anyone,” he said with a shrug. “I just need to know where you were that day. Simple as that.”
