“I’ve got my eye on someone a bit more interesting. Did you know Ryley eats dinner for breakfast? Fascinating woman.”
Crews narrowed his eyes, but only for a second before an inscrutable mask slipped over his face. “Yeah, well, if I were interested, which I’m not, then I won’t have to wait long to make my move once I arrest you for murder.”
“Murder,” Logan said, taking a seat at the table with his back to the glass. “You must need a refresher on how to do your job if I’m the best suspect you have.”
Crews gestured to the other seat facing the glass and waited for Logan to switch before settling into his own. The air between them was thick as smoke from a fire. They’d been best friends once years ago, but those days were long gone.
“We have an eye witness who claims you were fighting with the suspect.”
“And?” Logan asked.
“And the witness said that Curtis Jones got in a punch or two,” Crews said with a smirk. “Care to lift your shirt and show me the bruise he left?”
Logan shoved his chair back. It screeched across the floor as he rose. He lifted his shirt to show the yellowing bruise. “He hit me and then took off. Did your witness tell you that, too?”
Crews shifted his gaze from the bruise to the tattoo. It was a silent reminder of the anger and rage that stood between them. Crews didn’t answer. “Why were you after the guy? Who is your client?”
“Afraid I can’t answer that.” Logan retook his seat.
“Where were you the night of April nineteenth at two AM?”
“In bed with an ice pack on my ribs.”
“Can anyone corroborate your alibi?”
Logan shook his head. “Nope. Afraid not.”
“Sit tight. You know the drill. I want pictures of the evidence,” Crews said.
The door opened, and Jenna poked her head in. She smiled at Logan.
“What, Jenna?” Crews clipped.
“Right.” A blush crept up the woman’s cheeks. “The woman you brought in last night is back. Only it isn’t about breaking into your mother’s house. She has information about Curtis Jones.”
“Thanks. Tell her I’ll be with her shortly,” Crews said and waited for the door to close. He rested his palms on the table. “What is your relationship with Ryley St. James? Is she here to provide an alibi?”
“You arrested her for breaking into your mother’s house?” Logan let out a full belly laugh that filled the room. “I guess I don’t have to worry about which one of us has the upper hand on landing that date. I should be thanking you.”
Chapter 13
Jake Crews
Crews left Logan in interrogation for the forensic guys to take pictures of the bruises before letting him go. Crews needed more evidence before he could ever put Logan behind bars. Every piece of circumstantial evidence counted, and a fight between him and the deceased was another nail in the guy’s coffin.
Ryley St. James was waiting in the lobby. She was nursing an orange juice. Her face was paler than the day before. He crossed the distance to where she’d been sitting. She stood as he approached.
“What can I do for you, Ms. St. James?” he asked, stopping in front of her.
“I can provide proof that Logan Bane didn’t kill Curtis Jones.”
“And did a ghost tell you that or did you see it yourself?” Jake asked.
“Yes, and yes. Detective Crews, I know where there’s proof.” Ryley crossed her arms over her chest. “This is as close to a silver platter as I’ll ever give you. If you’re interested, you can drive, or I’ll go get it myself and deliver it to the media. Your call.”
Was she for real? Ryley turned and walked out of the building, leaving Jake behind. He followed her out of the building and into the parking lot. She was looking at the motor pool of cars before she turned and headed in the right direction, stopping at Jake’s SUV.
“You must have remembered which one was mine from last night.” He hit the fob, unlocking the door. She climbed into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt. “I’m afraid we’re going to have to make this quick. I’m meeting your mother in two hours.”
A dig if ever she meant to make one. Jake hadn’t been able to talk his mother out of this crazy idea that Ryley was helping her instead of running some kind of con.
Jake refrained from arguing about it anymore. He’d talked to his mother last night, and she’d confirmed Ryley had permission to be in the house. She’d also confirmed that Ryley refused to take any money, claiming it was a friend helping a friend, and had asked Jake to back off.
He wouldn’t, but he’d be there to pick up the pieces when it was over. He didn’t believe in the afterlife, and he didn’t believe his mom was being stalked. Years of giving therapy to all kinds of crazies might have chipped away at her mind. He’d tried last year to talk her into retirement. She’d done her share for the community.
“Where to?” he asked, pulling out of his parking space.
Bane was just leaving the building. Jake slowed and rolled down his window, letting Bane see who was riding shotgun in his car.
“Don’t leave town.”
Ryley leaned forward and smiled at Bane. “I found the proof to get them off your back. We’ll talk soon.”
Jake rolled the window up. “Is that why you’re here? Bane talked you into asking the spirits in an attempt to ward off arrest.”
She turned, no smile on her face. “Yes. He did hire me like in a private detective kind of way to uncover the truth. Be glad he did, because I know what happened.”
“Yeah, and how is that?”
“I saw it all. And soon you will, too,” she answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Sure, you did. So, where are we going?”
“The corner of Marietta and Monroe,” Ryley said, sliding her sunglasses down over her eyes.
“That’s where Curtis lives.”
“Well, at least you know that much. I won’t
