Not Without Her Family

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After downing three pills, he looked at her. Held up his cup. “Want some?”

“I don’t want any coffee,” she snapped. “I want answers.”

He sat at the table. “Have a seat.”

“I’ll stand.”

He wasn’t about to discuss anything while she hovered over him like a damn storm cloud. Jack sipped his coffee and watched her steadily over the rim of his cup.

It didn’t take long for her to get the message. She huffed out a breath before sliding a chair out with her foot and perching on the edge of her seat.

“Where’s Dillon?” she asked.

“He’s signing his statement.”

She visibly paled. “A statement? He’s giving a statement without a lawyer present?”

“You’ve been watching too many television cop shows. He doesn’t need a lawyer—”

“Anytime someone gets dragged down to the police station, they need a lawyer.”

“He wasn’t dragged anywhere. He came willingly. And he doesn’t need a lawyer because he’s not under arrest.”

She stood. “Great. That means he’s free to leave.”

He was, but if there was a legal way to hold Ward, one that wouldn’t jeopardize any future charges against him, Jack would do it in a heartbeat.

“We’re not charging him,” he admitted. “You might want to convince him it would be in his best interest not to take any sudden trips out of town.”

Her eyes narrowed to green slits. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Your brother is a person of interest in an ongoing murder investigation. It wouldn’t look good if he were to suddenly disappear.”

“This is ridiculous.” She slapped her hands down on the table and leaned toward him. “You’re harassing him for no reason.”

He met her eyes, eyebrow raised. “Murder is a pretty good reason, don’t you think?”

A flush reddened her cheeks. “Look, just because Dillon was seen leaving the bar at the same time as that woman—”

“That woman had a name,” he said quietly. “And now she’s dead.”

Kelsey swallowed and something shifted in her eyes, but she didn’t back down. “You’re looking to pin this murder on someone and Dillon is a convenient target.”

He finished his coffee and prayed for the painkillers to kick in soon. “Are you insinuating the only reason we brought your brother in for questioning is because he’s killed before?”

She flinched and straightened quickly, a guilty expression on her face. Did being reminded of her brother’s past upset her so much? Or, could it be that despite her protests, she was worried Ward could be guilty of this murder, too?

“Is this how you run an investigation?” she asked. “Placing blame on someone because of their past?”

“If that person’s past is significant—which in this case it most certainly is.” He rested his arms on the table and clasped his hands together. “You have to face facts. Your brother was the last known person to see Shannon alive.”

“He didn’t kill her. I know he didn’t.”

“He’s already admitted he followed Shannon home.”

“That doesn’t prove anything.”

“He also admits he and Shannon argued.”

That shut her up. But only for a minute. “Doesn’t matter. You’re looking at the wrong person.”

“For your sake,” he said sincerely, “I hope you’re right.”

He rose and tossed his empty cup in the trash. For some reason that he didn’t want to examine too deeply, he hated the thought of her being involved in this mess.

“You know,” he said, “the best thing you could do is forget all of this. Go home, go back to your life.”

“I want to see my brother. Now.”

Damn, but she was stubborn. And loyal. How would she take it once that loyalty to her brother was proved unfounded?

“I’m sure Ward is almost ready to leave,” he said. “I can send someone in to get you—”

“Don’t bother.” She stalked past him and opened the door. “Just tell Dillon I’ll be waiting for him in the parking lot.”

Before she could leave, Jack caught her by the wrist. “I’m telling you, for your own good, you don’t want to get tangled up in this, Kelsey. Go home.”

Without waiting for her to respond, he dropped her wrist and walked out the door.

IN THE SMALL PARKING LOT behind the police station, Jack’s parting words played through Kelsey’s mind as she paced under the midday sun. No matter what he said, she wasn’t going anywhere.

She needed to stay and help prove Dillon’s innocence. To make sure he wasn’t railroaded for a crime he didn’t commit. No way would she sit back and do nothing while her brother went to prison.

Not again.

The door opened and Dillon walked outside followed by a flabby, middle-aged cop. God, how many times growing up had the situation been reversed? How many times had she been escorted out of the local police station only to find Dillon waiting for her?

Too many. Way too many. After all, she’d been the juvenile delinquent.

Dillon must’ve read her mind because when he noticed her he said, “Just like old times, huh?”

“Not funny.” She fell into step beside him, aware of the cop following close behind them. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”

Dillon shook his head. “I’m not going home.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the hospital.”

“What?” She stopped and grabbed his arm. “Are you hurt? Did they do something to you?”

“Relax,” he said, peeling her fingers off him. “They didn’t break out the rubber hoses. I’m going to submit a DNA sample.”

“Voluntarily?”

His gaze flicked to the cop who now stood about thirty feet away next to a police cruiser. “Sort of.”

While she wasn’t sure it was in his best interest to submit a sample, she bit her tongue. “I’ll go with you.”

“No, thanks.”

Okay. He obviously still didn’t want her around. Too damn bad. “Look, I’m going to help you whether you like it or not.” He grimaced. “I don’t like it.”

“Tough. And what the hell are you thinking? Bad enough you’re going to give them DNA, but I can’t believe you gave them a statement without an attorney present.”

“I don’t need an attorney. I didn’t do it.”

“I know that,” she said, but nothing changed in his eyes or on his face. No visible relief at knowing she believed in him. “What about the local public defender?”

He walked away, his long strides forcing her to hurry to keep up. “They offered to call him in, but I refused.”

“Don’t worry. If they insist on continuing with this bogus investigation, we’ll hire the best defense attorney—”

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

He stopped and frowned down at her. “I don’t want or need your help. There’s no reason for you to get involved. Or to stick around.”

Kelsey slid a glance to the cop, not fooled by the way he stared straight ahead. She knew he was hanging on their every word.

She lowered her voice. “I’m not going to leave you.”

“It’s been a long time, Kelsey.” Dillon sent her a cool look. “I’m not the same person I was back then and I’m not your problem to worry about.”

“You’re my brother,” she said softly around the tears clogging her throat. “I love you.”

She read something in his eyes. Something that looked like regret. Or perhaps, sadness. Whatever it was, it told her Dillon wasn’t as unaffected by her words as he’d like her to believe.

“You shouldn’t,” he said simply, a breeze ruffling his hair. “You need to go back to your life and forget about me.”

He climbed in the back of the police car. The cop shut the door, got in the front and drove away.

Kelsey slowly made her way across the parking lot to her car. She climbed in, started it and pulled out into the street. She made it three blocks before she had to pull over. Gripping the steering wheel with shaking hands, she battled back her tears.

She wiped her eyes. She’d help prove Dillon’s innocence because, damn it, he was innocent.