“You never saw him there while you were confined?” the officer’s face gave nothing away.
She shook her head. “No. Only the ones they sketched.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.” She looked at the officer. “Do you really think he had something to do with this?”
For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he shrugged. “He keeps popping up. And we found your car at his farm. So yes, he’s a person of interest.”
Her heart twisted, and she deliberately focused elsewhere. “Is my car okay?”
“It didn’t sustain any damage that we can see.”
“When can I have it back?”
“It’s being processed for evidence. It will be a while before we can return it to you.”
She sighed. “Who found it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did the police find my car at his place?”
“No,” the officer said. “Mr. Thomas did. He claims it just turned up beside his barn.”
Something inside her eased a bit. Why would Zach turn it in if he had anything to do with her kidnapping?
The officer was watching her face. “Sometimes criminals do these kinds of things. To try to prove they are innocent.”
“Or sometimes, theyareinnocent,” Jessie pointed out. Had Braden put the car there to keep the police focused in another direction? Cara and Kade believed so. And it seems to have worked.
The man’s mouth straightened. “Until we get this sorted, you’d be well served to avoid Zach Thomas.”
Jessie pushed her hair back off her face. Exhaustion made her punchy. “I thought I’d ask him out for lunch.” She sighed when he didn’t smile. “I’ll be careful.”
That satisfied him, somewhat. Jessie guessed that in his profession, it was difficult to keep a sense of humor. She hesitated, though, in the doorway. Much as she’d instinctively defended Zach, this was her moment to decide. Either she confided in the police, or she went with Cara.
The officer studied her. “Is there anything else?” he asked.
Perfect opportunity.Officer, I was bitten by a werewolf, and he tried to grab me again, but another, more handsome, werewolf rescued me.
Jessie sighed. “No. Nothing else.” She turned and walked out of the room.
Cara was waiting for her in the receiving area. She had her phone to her ear and stood as soon as Jessie appeared.
As the older woman disconnected, her brows lowered. She took Jessie’s arm and hurried her along the hall. “I’m needed. Neil’s been hurt.”
Neil? Wasn’t that Kade’s guy? “What about Sarah?”
Cara’s hand tightened on her arm. “She’s gone.”
Jessie’s mind went numb. Braden had come for Sarah. And this time, the one assigned to protect her hadn’t been enough. She followed Cara out into the daylight. The Jeep was parked on the street, just down from the main doors to the police services building. They hopped in, but Cara just sat there, hands on the wheel. Staring at the entrance.
Jessie looked that way, just as a tall figure walked out and paused on the sidewalk. There was no mistaking those broad shoulders, slim hips, and great butt.
Zach.
Jessie’s heart did an odd little flip. Fear? Or something else?
