Page 112 of Forged in Steele

Jared answered. “Bristol is with me, and I’m putting you on speaker.”

“Everyone at Veritas wants to know how Piper is doing and if Nick arrived,” Reed said. “He’s not replying to texts so we hoped you were there with them.”

“Nick arrived, and the labor nurse says Piper will have the baby anytime now,” Bristol said.

“Wow. That was quick,” Reed said. “Sierra was in labor for almost a day.”

“The nurse thinks Piper went into labor much earlier, and the seriousness of the investigation distracted her from contractions,” Bristol said.

“She has a laser focus, so I can see that happening.” Reed chuckled. “I’m also calling to tell you Holloway and Melissa are both in custody. Holloway ran a red light, and the officer who stopped him remembered the BOLO.”

“We need to interview them,” Jared said, seeing his plans disappear as they had so many times before. He wanted to take Bristol home after the baby was born and veg out together until sunrise. But on the other hand, he wanted to look Holloway in the face and figure out the part the crooked attorney played in this investigation.

Jared looked at Bristol for her reaction.

“I feel like we need to be here for Nick and Piper. But we’ll definitely grill Holloway after we hear about the baby.”

Jared nodded and turned his attention back to the phone. “We’ll head to the detention center soon. No one’s life is in danger so we’ll let Holloway sit and stew for a bit. Who knows? A little time behind bars might make him more ready to talk.”

Bristol sat in the interview room next to Jared as they waited for Holloway to be brought in for questioning. She both dreaded interviewing the man and looked forward to it. Either way, it ruined the joy of sharing the birth of Piper and Nick’s son. A healthy eight pounds and six ounces, they named the little guy Carter, and they couldn’t be happier.

“Talk about a contrast in tasks.” Jared shook his head. “Going from a baby’s birth to this.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Bristol said. “At least we know Holloway won’t be separating any more babies from their parents.”

The door opened, and Holloway was escorted into the room. He dropped onto the chair and leaned back, his cocky expression belying his appearance. A five o’clock shadow darkened his face and matched the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t changed into jail garb yet and was dressed in khakis and a red polo shirt looking like the country club guy that he was. Minus the handcuffs circling his wrists.

“So.” His eyebrows arched as he stared at them. “Not the loving couple who sat in my office, I see.”

“FBI Agent Jared Wolfe.” Jared displayed his credentials. “And Deputy Bristol Steele.”

“I hate to admit it, but the pair of you fooled me. I bought into your story. Guess undercover is your specialty.”

“First time.” Bristol met his challenging gaze as she wanted to let him know that even as rookies in the undercover business, they’d fooled him. Of course, she and Jared were in love so that part had been easy. At least subconsciously.

“Then shame on me for being a fool.” Holloway frowned and lifted his cuffed hands to scratch his face. “But then what difference did it make? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Not with us,” Jared said. “You didn’t have time. But we know that you ordered Valerie Zupan to kidnap Luna Pratt for her father.”

If he was surprised at the comment, he didn’t show it. “You have no proof of that.”

“Actually, we do,” Jared replied calmly. “We have a witness who can confirm you asked Valerie to take the baby.”

“Valerie? She won’t say a word against me.”

“No, not Valerie. She was murdered.”

“Really? When did that happen?”

“We found her in Reya Isaac’s house yesterday.”

He snorted. “Some cops you are.”

“We weren’t the only ones who fooled you,” Bristol said. “I have to assume you think Reya died and Valerie double-crossed you. But Reya killed her sister then impersonated her so she could take Luna to replace her deceased daughter.”

“No.” He sat forward, his eyes narrowing. “She looked and acted just like Valerie.”

“That’s because Reya changed her looks to match Valerie to fool others. Reya was tired of all the negative publicity and wanted to get away from it for a little while.”

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