Tuck let out a low chuckle. “Slow your roll, tiger.”
Jensen’s head snapped in his direction. “None of this is funny. Why the hell are you laughing?”
The grin fell from Tuck’s face. “J.” He edged closer to her. “I’m sorry. You know I go for levity in stressful situations.”
Tears began to pool in Jensen’s eyes. “Notthissituation.”
“Shit.” Tuck pulled Jensen into a hug, resting his chin atop her head. She seemed to sag into his hold.
I had to look away. I wanted to pull Tessa into my arms so badly I could almost feel her body against mine. I gripped the back of my neck and continued to pace.
Walker appeared in the doorway. “We have medics taking Kimberly Speakman to the closest hospital with a psych ward.” He looked at me. “I talked to the LAPD detective you said handled her case, and he’s getting in touch with her family and doctor.” Walker sighed. “She had no part in this, but she’s clearly sick and needs help.”
I ran a hand through my hair. “What do we know about Bridgette?” I felt bad for Kimberly, I did, but my focus was on one thing and one thing only: Tessa.
Walker rested his hands on his gun belt. “Just heard from my officers. They’re two minutes out. You guys can watch from the viewing room again if you want.”
Of course, I wanted. I wanted to be in the room with them. I wanted to demand to know how one woman could do this to another. I let out a harsh breath. “Thank you.”
I headed straight for the viewing area. I didn’t trust myself or what I’d do if I happened to come face-to-face with that conniving bitch. Tuck and Jensen followed me into the room.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tapped the photos icon. I pulled up one of my favorites. It was of Tessa sitting on the boulder, nuzzling Phoenix. Her eyes were closed, her forehead pressed to the mare’s as the breeze made her hair swirl around her.
The photo encompassed so much of who Tessa was. Kind. Caring. With such a deep connection to the land and creatures around her. My throat burned. She had to be okay.
The door to the interrogation room opened, and I shoved my phone into my pocket. Walker led a pale and wide-eyed Bridgette into the room. He gestured to the chair that faced the two-way mirror. “Have a seat.”
As Bridgette sat, I could see her hands tremble.Good. I hoped she was scared out of her fucking mind. She put on a false air of bravado. “Walker, what am I doing here? Should I call my father and have him send the family lawyer?”
Walker remained stone-faced. “If you’d like a lawyer here, you’re welcome to call one. Do youneeda lawyer, Bridgette? Have you done something wrong?”
Little dots of color appeared on her cheeks. “No, of course, not.”
“Good.” Walker pulled out his notepad and pen. “Then you won’t mind helping us with an investigation.”
Bridgette’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Sure.”
Walker clicked his pen. “Are you familiar with someone by the name of Garrett Abrams?”
Bridgette’s gaze darted all around the room. “H-h-he’s my boyfriend.”
Walker’s eyebrows raised. “Were you aware that he was stalking Tessa?”
Bridgette’s eyes narrowed. “He was not.”
Walker flipped open his notebook. “Garrett Abrams is now wanted for criminal stalking, assault and battery, and kidnapping. He took Tessa from The Tea Kettle late this morning. Not long afteryouleft. So, I have to ask you, Bridgette, did you unlock the back door for him?”
All color drained from Bridgette’s face. “Y-y-you have to be mistaken. Garrett is a very well-respected lawyer from DC. He would never do those things.”
“Answer the question.”
Bridgette’s eyes jumped from Walker to the mirror and back again. “He told me he just needed to talk with her. That she’s been trying to take him to the cleaners in their divorce. Tessa scammed him. Got him to marry her just out of college and then spent all his money and cheated on him. I just unlocked the door so he could talk to her. I tried calling him earlier, but he’s not picking up his phone.”
Walker set his pen down. “Bridgette, Garrett and Tessa were never married.” Her mouth fell open. “They were engaged. He was incredibly abusive. She ran away to escape.” Walker’s eyes narrowed on Bridgette. “You’ve helped put an innocent woman in the hands of a monster.”
My hands fisted, the pain of those words tearing at every nerve ending in my body.
Bridgette fumbled her words. “I-I-I didn’t know, I swear.”
