Page 22 of Sweet Sin

Once the two men are on the ambulance, three police officers remain.

Officer Bandy, according to his name tag, takes out a small tablet. “All right, sir. Time to get to the bottom of this.”

I shrug. I can play it cool as a fucking alley cat even though my insides are in panic mode. “There’s not much to get to the bottom of. The lady and I were in the hot tub, and those two jokers came into the backyard.”

“Did you hear them?”

“Not at first. The dogs started barking.”

“I see.” Bandy makes some notes. “Mr. Bellamy, we know you just got out of prison.”

“Yeah, I figured you’d know that. Everyone does. I’m an innocent man.”

“You pleaded guilty to manslaughter.”

“I did. For my reasons. None of which are up for discussion at this point.”

“Very well then. Let’s sit down, and I’ll get your full statement.”

Another one of the officers is talking to Savannah. She’s got her game face on, and I’m not sure where it came from. She was freaked out as anybody when she stabbed that man. But now? It’s as if she were sitting at her desk in her office, talking to a new parolee.

Nerves of steel and everything.

Somehow, she got ice to fill her veins.

“I’d like to be with her,” I say, nodding to Savannah.

“She’s doing fine, Mr. Bellamy. You have a seat.”

I rake my fingers through my hair.

Carlo’s blood is all over me. I could use a shower. I could use ten showers.

I lead the officer to my kitchen table and gesture him to take a seat. I open the refrigerator and grab a bottle of water. “You want one?”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

I grab another, unscrew both caps, and hand one to him.

He takes a long drink. “All right. Full name.”

“Falcon Cooper Bellamy.”

“All right. Tell me, from the beginning, exactly what happened.” He clicks on the recorder.

I take him through everything, but when I get to the part where Savannah comes out of the pool area, I stop.

“Is that the end of your story?”

“For now.”

Bandy frowns. “Look. I get that you’re trying to protect your lady friend.”

“I’m not protecting anyone. I just think you need to get the rest of the story from her.”

“Jack over there will get it from her. I need to get it from you, Mr. Bellamy.”

“What if I say I want an attorney?”

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