“Ms. Ransom, Mrs. Hendrix. Thank you for coming in today. We know this isn’t how you wanted to spend your afternoon, and I promise we’ll be brief.”
“Whatever you need, Mac. You know that.”
Valentina’s tone and her use of the cop’s nickname tells me she’s met the person interviewing them before, and it makes me feel marginally better that they’re not working with a stranger. Then again, with her husband being a cop, there’s no way in hell he would have let that happen either. I don’t know much about Beauregard “Rix” Hendrix, but he doesn’t seem like a complete asshole.
“I just want to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Mr. Riddel.”
“Who?” Temperance asks.
“The man who’s being held on charges of destruction of property and vandalism. This man.”
I can picture the cop flashing a mug shot at her.
“I’ve never met him before,” Temperance says.
“But he seems to know you, Ms. Ransom,” the detective replies.
“How?” Temperance’s question holds a cautious tone.
“He says that you stole his boss’s career and caused his death, which, on the books is a suicide. However, Mr. Riddel states emphatically that Mr. Standish’s death was the result of a conspiracy to commit murder.”
Rix’s voice cuts in. “Mac, are you fucking serious with this?”
I’m so fucking glad he didn’t send our women into questioning by themselves. Apparently, he doesn’t give a shit about breaking police protocol, which I respect.
“I bring my woman and her girl in for you to ask some questions about a broken fucking window, and you want to talk about some crazy-ass theories of the man who did it? He’s screwing with you.” Rix’s reply is barely contained rage, and Mac doesn’t have a chance to respond before Rix starts again. “He wants to make sure you’re so busy chasing your own goddamn tail that you don’t even look at him for what he did. Valentina is pressing charges. End of story.”
“Rix, you know I have to—”
“Not listen to petty criminals looking for some reason why life got them down and they aren’t responsible for what they did. Now, take their statements, and let us all get on with our fucking day.”
I decide right then that I’m sending Valentina’s cop husband a box of doughnuts tomorrow.
Mac relents. “Fine. We have a witness who saw him throw the pipe. She should be in to identify him already. If she confirms it was him, everyone can go about their day.”
They chat a few minutes longer before someone knocks on the door.
“Mac, I got something you’re gonna want to see,” a new voice says.
“What?” Mac asks.
“Suspect went off during the lineup. Got real interesting.”
“Send the footage to my laptop.”
“You should already have it.”
“Thanks.” I hear some noise that must be Mac fucking around with his computer. “I’ll just watch this and come back.”
“Bullshit, Mac. Just play it,” Rix says.
“Fine. Not my fault if it scars them for life.”
Rix scoffs. “They’re made of tough stuff.”
I have to agree with him, but I’m tense as I wait to hear what’s coming next.
First, it’s unintelligible yelling. Then, “You bitch! You killed him! I know you’re behind that glass! I’m not going to rest until I ruin the career that you stole! Next time, I won’t just put nails in your tire or take off your mirror, I’ll take you out!”