Page 16 of Marked For Revenge

“No.” Again, his answer was quick and his face was a textbook picture of shock. He slowly got to his feet. “No,” he repeated. “I mean there are some people who might not like me, but there’s not enough hate to kill.”

As a cop, Ava knew it didn’t always take a lot of hate. Murders happened with all levels of heat, and these particular murders felt cold to her. Calculated and organized. Certainly, they hadn’t been done in the heat of anger.

Theo tipped his head to the notepad Caleb was still holding. “Write down the names of those who don’t like you. Include any you might have broken up with or rejected in some kind of way.”

This was standard procedure but, like Ava, Theo knew it probably wouldn’t help them come up with the names of suspects. Besides, they already had names.

Her father, Duran and Aaron.

And the next step would be to question all three of them, along with pressing her father and Duran to find out if one of them was still threatening Aaron.

Caleb handed Theo the notepad after he was finished, and Theo looked it over. The sheriff was no doubt doing a mental comparison to the handwriting on the note that’d been left at the last crime scene. Ava had a look, too, but she couldn’t see a resemblance. Still, Theo would have it analyzed.

“I really don’t want to mess up anything in your life,” Caleb said, looking at her now. “But I’m glad I got to meet you.” He opened his mouth, but he must have changed his mind as to whatever he’d been about to say because he shook his head and waved it off.

“I’m glad I got to meet you, too,” she said once she managed to clear the lump in her throat.

Their gazes stayed connected with the silence hanging between them, and then Caleb looked away. “Am I in danger?” he asked, not aiming that at anyone in particular. “I mean, if this killer is trying to set me up, maybe he’ll come after me.”

No way could any of them dismiss the possibility, and hearing it spelled out tightened her chest so much that it was hard for her to breathe. She was ready to offer private protection, a bodyguard, but Harley spoke first.

“I’ll have the Texas Rangers keep an eye on you, and you’ll need to take some precautions. For instance, don’t go anywhere alone at night and be aware of your surroundings. If you see or sense anyone watching or following you, call me, the sheriff or Deputy Lawson.”

Harley handed Caleb a business card with his contact info, and Ava and Theo did the same.

“Thanks,” Caleb muttered.

Ava could tell he was scared and, along with tightening her chest even more, it riled her to the core that someone was doing this to him.

To her son.

Yes, she allowed the thought in her head. Someone was playing sick games with her son and her, and she had to figure out a way to make it stop. Even if this was the one and only time she got to see the child she’d delivered all those years ago, she wanted him safe.

And she loved him.

That was the other emotion that came through loud and clear. Maybe it was some kind of primal DNA connection, a survival of the species thing, but she loved him.

“Call us if you think of anything else,” Ava reminded Caleb, hoping that was an invitation for him to contact her. That contact probably wouldn’t be easy, but part of her wanted it more than her next breath.

Rather than risk saying anything she shouldn’t, Ava turned to go to the door. Theo and Harley were right behind her.

“Thanks for your cooperation,” Theo told Caleb. “One of us will be in touch with you soon.”

They stepped outside and Harley immediately took out his phone. “I’ll get the Ranger back out here. We can wait in the car until he shows.”

“Good,” Theo confirmed. “I’ll get started on checking these alibis as soon as I’m back in Silver Creek.” With that, Theo headed to his cruiser and Harley and Ava went toward her car.

They didn’t get far.

Gunfire cracked through the air.

Chapter Six

Harley reacted out of training and instinct when he heard the gunshot. He hooked his arm around Ava and pulled her to the ground, having her land on top of him so the fall wouldn’t be so jarring.

He instantly thought of their baby. Of the child Ava would want him to protect at all costs, and even though she was a cop, he had to make sure she was all right.

Before he could move in front of Ava to shield her, there was the sound of another gunshot. This bullet slammed into the vehicle they were using for cover.

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