Page 15 of Marked For Revenge

He didn’t. His body language tightened some, suggesting he was still trying to come to terms with his feelings about her and what she’d done, but there was no venom or anger.

“You’re pregnant,” Caleb murmured, his gaze dropping to her stomach.

She nodded and automatically brushed her hand over her stomach, her gaze pinned to Caleb to try to gauge his reaction. “I’m in my fifth month.”

It was hard to tell, but she thought that maybe he hadn’t known before today. Of course, she hadn’t posted about it on social media, and she wasn’t in the media’s eye enough for them to pick up on it.

Not yet anyway.

If the murders continued and if the bit about the masks leaked, she had no doubts that she would soon be the center of a media firestorm.

Caleb shifted his attention to Harley and Theo, his eyes looking down at their hands, maybe to try to spot a wedding ring. There weren’t any, though Theo was engaged to the Silver Creek assistant district attorney, Kim Ryland.

“I’m guessing the three of you didn’t come here just to talk about Deputy Lawson being my birth mom,” Caleb remarked. “What’s wrong? Is Aaron in some kind of trouble?”

Ava shook her head and then shrugged because she had no idea if Aaron truly was in trouble. Maybe he was, but for now she had to focus on the main reason for this visit.

“Three women have been murdered in or around Silver Creek in the past three months,” she stated, trying to keep all the emotion out of her voice. She wouldn’t mention the masks since that tidbit was being withheld from the public. “The murders seem to be connected to me.”

Caleb’s shoulders snapped back. “Connected how?” he asked.

“The killer left a note at the last crime scene,” Harley answered. “We haven’t identified the killer, but we know he’s somehow linked to Deputy Lawson and that he could be killing to get back at her in some way.”

Caleb shook his head as if puzzled by that, and then his eyes went wide. “You think I killed somebody. I didn’t,” he quickly added. He staggered back a step, his pleading gaze going to Ava. “You have to believe me. I wouldn’t kill anybody.”

“Are you angry about her giving you up for adoption?” Harley pressed.

“No.” His reply was fast and loud. “I mean, I guess I wondered why she didn’t want to keep me, but then Aaron told me they were just teenagers, so I understood. And, hell, even if I was angry, I still wouldn’t kill anyone.”

“I’m going to go ahead and Mirandize you.” Theo spoke up, causing the color to drain from Caleb’s face. “It’s for your protection, so you know your rights,” he added.

Caleb didn’t make a sound while Theo gave him the Miranda warning, but he did sink down onto the sofa and put his face in his hands for a moment.

“Do you want a lawyer present?” Theo asked him once he’d finished.

Caleb looked at her, maybe trying to decide if he could trust her not to allow him to be railroaded. He must have decided he could because he shook his head. “I’ve done nothing wrong, so go ahead and ask me whatever it is you came here for.”

Theo took out a piece of paper and handed it to Caleb. “Where were you on those dates and at those hours?”

Caleb dragged in some quick breaths, but then he seemed to steady himself when he actually looked at the paper. “Yes. For this one anyway.” He tapped the first date. “I was at a weekend seminar in Dallas. I didn’t post about it on social media because my roommate was with me for that, and I didn’t want to let anyone know the apartment would be empty.”

Theo nodded and handed Caleb a small notepad he took from his pocket. “Jot down the name of the seminar and the person in charge of it. What about the other two dates?” Theo prompted after Caleb had finished writing.

Caleb took out his phone and pulled up his calendar. Some of the color came back to his cheeks. “I was with someone on the third date.” He looked up at Theo. “I’ll give you her name and contact info, but when you talk to her, don’t make it sound like I’m some kind of killer. I’m not, and I really like her. I don’t want this to screw things up between us.”

“I won’t volunteer any details, and I’ll make it seem routine. I’ve found if I throw in the words background check, most people just accept that.”

Caleb sighed in a way that could be interpreted that he hoped it was true and then shook his head. “I don’t have anything on my calendar for this second one. It was right before a big exam, and I was here studying. My roommate spent that night at his folks since it was some kind of family deal. Does this mean you’ll arrest me?”

“No,” Theo informed him. “I’ll look into the other two alibis, and if they check out, then I can ask around and see if anyone saw you on the other night in question.” He paused a heartbeat. “Ever had any experience with explosives?”

Again, Caleb’s eyes widened. “No. Well, nothing other than cherry bombs on the Fourth of July, but that doesn’t count. Right?” he questioned, his demeanor more than a little shaky.

“It doesn’t count,” Theo assured him. “But I will ask around and find out if you’ve been lying to me.”

“I haven’t been,” Caleb quickly insisted and then shifted his attention back to Ava. “How are the murders connected to you? Are you in danger?”

No way could Ava spill any other details about the killings, but she could answer the second part. Well, sort of answer it anyway. “Maybe I’m in danger. Can you think of anyone who’d want to set you up so we’d think you had a part in the murders?”

---