“Would’ve spared me a lot of nights with blue balls, babe.”
My eyes narrowed. “You’re going to be experiencing them again tonight if you keep being an ass.”
In lieu of a response, he kissed me again. When he was done, I was unable to remember my own name let alone my train of thought, effectively reduced to a puddle of lust in his lap.
“Don’t make threats you can’t carry out, baby,” he whispered, sounding just as turned on as I was, but also highly amused. “We both know tonight, I’m in your bed.”
“Whatever,” I snapped halfheartedly, jerking out of his arms. “I need to get to work.”
He let me go, eyes hot on my body as I shifted my skirt back into its proper place, adjusted my corset-style blouse, and hopped out. It took monumental effort not to glance back at the Bronco before I scurried into the shop. It wasn’t until I’d stepped inside that I realized he’d completely manipulated me, his kiss dizzying my head so much I’d lost track of our argument about Sally and Agatha.
Goddess, the man was infuriating.
“Not to make your morning worse or anything…” Hetti’s voice snapped me into the present. I brought my focus back to her, watching as she tucked a lock of purple hair behind one ear.
“That detective is here again,” she continued hesitantly. “He’s waiting for you in your office. And, boss, he doesnotlook happy. His aura is even darker than yours.”
Given the way things had been going lately, I didn’t think this boded well for me. “Did he say why he’s here?”
Her voice dropped to a reluctant whisper. “No. But…”
“Butwhat,Hetti?”
“Well… you know that dead body they found? The one with… uh… the knife through the heart?” Her eyes darted away, unable to meet mine as she continued reluctantly, “I’m pretty sure they think you’re the one who stuck it there.”
Hellfire.
* * *
“We haveto stop meeting like this,” I joked lamely as Caden Hightower settled in at the interrogation room table. He pushed a styrofoam cup of muddy brown coffee across the metal surface that divided us. I took it to be polite, with no intention of drinking its contents.
Caden didn’t even crack a smile, which was the third indication something was very, very wrong. (The first indication being him waiting for me at The Gallows with a search warrant in hand, the second being him immediately insisting I come with him down to the station.)
“Gwendolyn. Thanks again for coming.”
“You didn’t give me all that much choice, Detective.” I swallowed hard, grip tightening on the coffee cup. I hadn’t been thrilled about leaving Hetti alone to handle the store but I figured I’d be evenlessthrilled about being slapped in handcuffs, so I didn’t put up too much fuss.
“The things I need to discuss with you are part of the official investigation,” Caden informed me in a calm, measured tone. “It’s better to do it here.”
My eyes skittered up to the ceiling camera in the corner of the room. The red light was on, a constant reminder this conversation was being recorded. “Do I need a lawyer?”
His blue eyes were steady on mine. “You aren’t under arrest. We aren’t bringing any charges against you at this time. But you’re entitled to representation if you feel you need it.”
“I don’t have anything to hide,” I told him, hoping it wasn’t a lie.
“Then, let’s proceed.” He reached into a box on the floor beside his chair and pulled out a clear plastic bag marked EVIDENCE in bold black font across the seal. “Do you recognize this?”
I stared at the knife inside the bag. The last time I’d seen it, it was embedded in Eliza’s chest. Throat too tight to speak, I nodded my assent.
“This is the murder weapon that killed Elizabeth Proctor,” Caden continued, placing the bag flat on the table between us. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it. There was a dark crusting of dried blood on the blade. “Our forensics guys dusted it for prints. They managed to pick up a set off the handle. We ran them through the system. Long shot. But we got a hit.”
My eyes jerked up to his. “That’s — that’s good news, isn’t it?”
Caden didn’t look like he thought it was good news. His mouth was flat, no signs of a smile anywhere to be seen. “The set of prints we found, Gwendolyn… they’re yours.”
I jolted back in my seat, metal slamming into my spine. “Mine?”
He nodded stiffly.