Page 37 of Just Hide

"We believe the perpetrator works in tech," Connor said. "We think facial recognition software has been used. And we think you have some knowledge of what's going on."

He shook his head, now looking very unsettled. "I swear, I don't. I would never murder anyone! I can see why you thought it was me because I'm an armor nut. I love knives, swords, blades, helmets, anything along those lines. When I heard this had been done with a knife—the murders, I mean—I actually felt guilty even though I had nothing to do with it. I started wondering if the police would end up on my doorstep, and if so, how I’d handle it.”

So, he was following a script he’d already decided on, Cami realized.

“I'm a professional collector, but they're all old, and they're all blunt. I have no interest in a killing blade!" he continued.

"Tell me what you were doing this morning," Connor pressured him. "You weren't at work. Where were you?"

Jack sighed. He was clearly torn between the two options. He could lie, and potentially get in more trouble later, or he could tell the truth. Cami could see him weighing his chances of getting away with it.

Finally, with a short nod, he spoke. "I was coding," he said."I don't have any alibi. I was here on my own."

That sounded like the truth, she thought. "And you were coding for someone else?" Cami asked.

He nodded, still not meeting either of their gazes. "Yes, I was."

"Yesterday, mid-morning. Your movements?" Connor said.

Now, Cami saw a flash of relief in Jack’s eyes. "I do have an alibi for that.”

“Confirmable?”

“Yes, I hope it is.”

“Where were you?” Connor asked.

“I was at the dentist yesterday. My appointment was from ten ‘till eleven a.m. I can show you the proof. I have the payment and the appointment confirmation."

Quickly, he opened his phone and showed them. Since one murder had been committed at this exact time, he was ruled out, and Cami knew it meant this man was not their criminal. He was doing dodgy business on the side, but he wasn't a killer.

Just like that, he was cleared.

"We could have done this quicker if you'd cooperated," Connor warned. "Cooperating is always a good idea. We were very close to bringing you in."

"I understand, sir, and I'm sorry," he said. Then he turned to Cami. "Can I please have my Wi-Fi password?" he asked humbly.

"Sure," Cami said. While she read the new password to him, Connor's phone started ringing.

"Fraser?" she heard him say in a stressed voice as he marched outside. Cami guessed that trouble was looming and that the pressure was on to solve this, and fast.

But as he walked out, conversing with Fraser, he said another word that made her sit bolt upright, her ears straining, her heart accelerating.

"Liam?" he said.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

She knew they would try everything to get to her. She was prepared for that, and she was ready. She might have flaws, but underestimating the enemy was not one of them.

And law enforcement was the enemy. That, she knew.

As the eagle, she was clever enough to be able to fly high, to soar above those who sought to trap and capture her.

She still felt on a high from the kill she'd done earlier. She knew she should be trying to get some rest, but she couldn't. Replaying those moments in her mind was too exciting. It felt amazing to think back on how flawlessly she'd executed it.

The gloves and smock had mopped up all the trace evidence. She'd peeled them off quickly and carefully, leaving herself clean and free from any suspicion. Of course, having access to an incinerator helped a lot in disposing of such items. That was definitely a plus.

She was ready to do it all again.

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