For the first time since the detectives arrived on the scene, Ava looked nervous. “I might’ve lost track of time,” she hedged.
“Don’t worry. Your father and I will be talking about your actions today. I wouldn’t be surprised if he explains how it’s not professional to lose track of time.” Brian’s statement was pointed. “I mean ... I think your father, as the chief of police, is going to want to hear how you spent your break. You are a representative of the Shadow Lake Police Department, after all. You’re expected to be professional.”
The color drained from Ava’s face. She recognized she was in real trouble. “There’s no reason to talk to my father.”
“Oh, I think there is.”
Ava might’ve been the man’s daughter, but Brian was more respected when it came to a fight. Ava recognized that ... and, more importantly, so did Brian.
“I should probably be going,” Ava muttered, pushing herself away from the car. “I need to get back to work.”
“You do,” Jack agreed, his gaze on Maisie. “We have to talk to your partner in crime first, though.”
“Oh, well ... .”
Unlike Ava, who always folded under pressure, Maisie looked amused at the turn of events. “What can I do for you gentlemen? Are you here to call me a bad girl for torturing Ivy or something?”
“We don’t have to call you anything,” Jack replied. “It’s not as if you don’t know you’re trash. I mean ... Ivy is only here because she crawled through a window to save your life. I’m pretty sure everybody knows exactly what sort of person pulls a maneuver like this given the fact that you’re only alive because of her.”
Maisie balked. “That’s not true. I was just about to make my move when she crawled through that window. She didn’t save anybody.”
Betsy, her eyes wide, turned to Ivy. “You didn’t mention that part of the story.”
Ivy held out her hands and shrugged. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m not sure the world wouldn’t be a better place without Maisie.”
“Honey, it definitely would,” Betsy agreed, shaking her head. “You’re even scummier than we thought,” she said to Maisie.
Eyes defiant, Maisie took an aggressive step forward. “I didn’t ask her to save me. She only did it because she wants to be the center of attention … always.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re getting me confused with you,” Ivy muttered.
“She doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with you,” Jack argued.
“This is all fascinating,” Greg called out. “No offense, though, you’re distracting my crew. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Yes, I’m sure when this situation is reported to the magistrate, he’ll want to talk about certain distracting influences, too,” Brian drawled. “As for now, we’re here for Maisie. We’ll take her and call it a day.”
Ivy’s eyes narrowed. “Maisie? Why do you want Maisie?”
“It seems Jason was dating more than one person,” Jack replied, internally smirking as Maisie’s already pale countenance turned ashen. “We have a few questions for his second girlfriend.”
Ivy was dumbfounded. “No way.”
“Yes, way.” Jack cast a glance over his shoulder and offered her an easy smile. “It seems Jason really got around.”
Ivy wanted to ask what Maisie’s involvement meant, but she knew Greg would melt down. Instead, she nodded. Perhaps Jack and Brian were closer to getting answers than she envisioned. That was a good thing, even if she was frustrated at being trapped on the outside looking in.
11
Eleven
Maisie was furious as Jack and Brian showed her into the interview room at the police station. They’d pulled out all the stops when transporting her back to town, including locking her in the backseat of the cruiser. She was beyond mortified when they walked her in through the front door of the building.
“I’m going to sue you,” she hissed as Jack pulled out a chair for her to sit in. “You’ve gone too far this time and I’m totally going to sue you.”
“That’s certainly your prerogative,” Jack said dryly. “We can give you the name of the township attorney when you’re leaving.”
“If she leaves,” Brian corrected, sliding into the chair at the head of the table and fixing Maisie with a pointed stare. “Is there anything you want to say to us before we start?”
“Yes.” Maisie bobbed her head. “I’m going to sue the crap out of you. I hope you enjoy living on skid row.”
“I don’t really think Shadow Lake has a skid row,” Jack pointed out.
“No?” Maisie’s expression turned into a sneer. “How about I take that little cottage your girlfriend loves so much from her after my lawsuit? How will you like that?”
Jack could feel the skin on the back of his neck heating as rage threatened to overtake him. He managed to wrestle his impulses into submission, but just barely. “I look forward to the attempt,” he said as he took his seat. “That will be a neat trick.”
Maisie expected to get different reactions out of the two men and she was frustrated when they remained calm. She considered herself a good judge of character and she was certain Jack wanted to explode. The fact that he didn’t gave her pause.
“What do you want from me?” she asked after a beat, adopting her most reasonable tone. “I can’t help but feel as if we’re getting off on the wrong foot here. I’m a law-abiding citizen. All you have to do is tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.” She practically purred the words while flirting through demure eyelashes as she smiled at Jack.
“We want to know about your relationship with Jason Fortin,” Jack replied brusquely. “How long have you been involved?”
Maisie wrinkled her nose. She was used to men reacting to her, even if they didn’t like her. The fact that Jack could so easily ignore her attempts to flirt with him was bothersome.
