“Me? Why?” I asked in surprise.
“Because the dead body next door belongs to Brett Owens and they know about what happened at Precious Metals a few weeks ago. They just want to ask you a few questions,” he said.
My eyes widened and I sucked in a sharp breath. “They don’t think I had something to do with his death, do they?”
I couldn’t help it. I always assumed I was in trouble when I was being summoned by a person of higher authority.
Jonah reached out and cupped my cheek. “Hey, there’s nothing to worry about. Just answer their questions with short, truthful answers and don’t volunteer any information.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
He sighed. “It means don’t tell them anything that isn’t a direct answer to the questions they ask. For example, if there was any kind of history between you and Brett, don’t mention it unless they specifically ask.”
I gasped and pressed my hand against my chest. How in the hell did Jonah know anything about my past with Brett?
Jonah grabbed my hand and tugged me out the door. “Come on. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
I took in a deep breath and put on my work face—the one I used when I couldn’t make faces at how disgusting something was.
When I entered the kitchen, Jonah pulled out a chair for me. “Hello, again. Jonah said you had some questions for me.”
Officer Dunk smiled kindly. “Just a few. Can you tell me what happened between you and Brett Owens at Precious Metals a few weeks ago?”
“Yes,” I said and swallowed thickly. “I was walking to the restroom when he grabbed me and pushed me against the wall. I told him to let me go, but he didn’t. He moved his hand up to my throat and started to squeeze, but he was suddenly pulled away by Jonah.”
“I see. Why didn’t you file a police report?” she asked.
“I didn’t feel it was necessary. I would have if things had escalated, but Jonah stopped him and made him leave. I went home shortly after that,” I explained.
“And have you had any other issues with Brett Owens?” she asked.
“No. I’ve only been in town for a few weeks. That was the one and only time I’ve had any interaction with him since I arrived in Devil Springs,” I explained carefully. Yes, I was omitting certain details, but my farce of a relationship with him in high school had nothing to do with the current situation.
“It’s rather odd that he attempted to assault you and was found dead in the house you were renting a few weeks later,” Officer Dunk said, though her statement wasn’t directed at anyone in particular.
“Do you think he may have been looking for you? Possibly to get back at you?” Officer Underwood asked.
“I honestly have no idea. Like I said, I’ve only had one encounter with him. There’s no way I could presume to know what he was thinking,” I said.
“Well, I think we have all we need. You guys are free to go, but you’ll need to reschedule your inspection. They’re still working the scene. I’ll give you a call and let you know when it’s been cleared.”
“Thank you, officers,” Jonah said and walked the ladies to the front door while I sat in stunned silence contemplating what they’d said.
“You okay?” Jonah asked.
I looked up and noticed everyone else had left when the officers did. “Uh, yeah, I’m fine. I’m just a little shocked, I guess. Do you think he was coming after me?”
Jonah shrugged. “It’s feasible I suppose.”
“If he was coming after me, how did he end up dead? Did you notice anything obvious when you found him? Was there blood or obvious trauma?” I asked.
Jonah shook his head. “Nothing like that. I would’ve thought he was passed out if his skin hadn’t been a bluish-gray color.”
“I thought the house was wired with a security system. How did he get in?”
“That’s what I want to know. Every entry point to that house has a sensor. The only way to get by them is to disable the alarm, which was set from the time Copper and Bronze left earlier today until I returned a few hours ago.”
Jonah’s face lit up like he’d just realized something and he was on his feet moving down the hall the next second.