“What were you guys fighting about?” Boone asked when Cooper was finished, hunkering down so he could stare Trent in the eye. The man looked glazed, as if he was coming down from a high, and Boone made a mental note to order a toxicology report in case drugs were at the heart of this fight.
“I don’t remember,” Trent replied dully. He seemed to be in his own little world. “I’m just not sure.”
“Well, you’d better get sure,” Boone barked. “You killed a man. In front of witnesses. You’re in big trouble.”
“But ... I didn’t even know him.” Trent looked lost as he glanced around for someone to take his side. Finally, his eyes landed on Hannah. “You saw. I was temporarily insane or something. I didn’t mean to do this. I ... someone forced me to do this.”
“Someone forced you to do it?” Cooper was incredulous. “How does that even work?”
“I don’t know.” Trent was on the verge of tears. “I didn’t do this on purpose, though. Why would I? I didn’t even know that guy. He was a stranger.”
“That was my next question,” Boone prodded. “Are you certain you don’t have a history with this guy? Is it possible you guys know each other from somewhere else and you planned this out?”
“I don’t know him,” Trent fired back. “I’ve never seen him before in my life.”
“You’re local,” Boone argued. “He was local, too. This isn’t a big area. I want you to be really clear on this. When you go in front of a judge, he’s going to have a lot more invasive questions than what I’ve been asking.”
“Judge?” Trent looked petrified at the thought. “Why would I go in front of a judge?”
“Because you killed a man,” Cooper replied. “You did this.” He gestured toward Rob’s body. “You were out of control, and that’s not even taking into account what you said to Hannah.”
“What did he say to Hannah?” Boone asked, curious despite himself.
Hannah finally stirred. “It doesn’t matter. The whole thing was a mess, from start to finish. There was no reason for anybody to be acting the way they were.”
Cooper shot her an unreadable look. “Maybe you should go inside, baby. You look like you need to sit down.”
“I’m fine,” Hannah replied dully.
“You’ve said that a few times now, but you look pretty far from fine.” Cooper felt helpless. He wanted to hold her, do anything to wipe that look off her face, but duty demanded he hold his ground until Boone had a handle on the situation.
“Actually, I’m going to take Hannah inside and get her a drink,” Boone said finally, thoughtful. “I want the rest of you to stay here. I won’t be inside for more than a few minutes. The coroner is on his way. Make sure you don’t touch the body while you’re waiting for him.”
“I’ll go with you,” Cooper offered, immediately moving to fall in step with the sheriff.
“No, you’re going to stay here,” Boone countered, his tone no-nonsense. “I need you to keep an eye on the scene ... and especially that guy.” He gestured toward Justin, who looked as if he was about to be sick. “I want to talk to Hannah alone.”
Cooper was flummoxed. “But ... why?”
“Because I said so.” Boone was at the end of his rope. “All of you need to stay out here. I won’t be gone for more than a few minutes. Hannah, you come with me.”
She acquiesced because there was nothing else to do. She didn’t meet Cooper’s gaze as Boone led her away, though. He was trying to support her from afar, but she was too far gone for that.
Honestly, how had this even happened? She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
3
Three
Boone had a calming presence and Hannah was thankful for it as she moved to the bar to pour two iced teas. Boone accepted the glass she provided, even though he hadn’t asked for it, and studied her still features as she sat.
“You seem shaken up,” he noted.
“I’m fine.” The response was obligatory, the words out of her mouth before she could think how they sounded.
“You’re obviously not fine.” He reached over and rested his hand on top of Hannah’s and waited for her to meet his gaze. For some reason, she tugged at every fatherly instinct he had. She was older than his daughter, and they didn’t really look alike, but there was something about the way they carried themselves that caused him to be protective. “I’m guessing you’ve never seen anyone die like that before.”
Hannah immediately started shaking her head. “That’s not true. I saw that woman jump from the top of the building a few weeks ago. That was ... horrible.”
“Yeah, but my understanding is that Cooper did his best to cover your face that night ... and you were still a safe distance away. This happened right in front of you.”
“It did but ... I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She let out a breath and offered up a rueful smile. “You probably think I’m a basket case. I think I might be one, too. It was just so ... surreal.”
“I’ve heard what happened from Cooper and there are a few things that bother me about the story. I want to hear what you saw.”
Hannah balked. “Cooper isn’t lying. That’s what happened.”
“Yes, but I saw your face when he was recounting the story. You were twitchy when he brought up certain aspects of it. I want to know what you think.”
“I think ... .” She trailed off and looked through the front window of the saloon. She could see Cooper as he stood and talked to Tyler. There was trouble on his face. “I think something magical happened.”
Boone shifted in his chair. He was familiar with the paranormal happenings
