“No, he didn’t.”
He gave a weird grin, and there was a gleam of respect in his eyes. “He fought. That son of a bitch surprised me by how hard he fought.” His smile faded. “But in the end, you know, I’m a Marine, and he was just… a nice guy.”
“What did you use to kill him? The ME was stumped with what the weapon was.”
“I stumped the ME?” He cackled. “I used an old triangular bayonet from one of my collections. I love old weapons. Don’t get to use them much, but Lincolnalways loved history. I thought it was kind of poetic to kill him with an antique bayonet.”
The more he talked, the more I wanted to punch him. “You killed Kyle because he blackmailed you. You killed Liam because he betrayed you. You killed Lincoln because he saw you after killing Liam. Seems like you were just spiraling.”
“No,” he snapped. “I was very much in control of all of it.”
“But not of your wife.”
His face flinched. “That stupid bitch is the only reason we’re here. If she hadn’t come to talk to you, you never would have figured any of this out.”
“Not true. I had the video at the Rotary Club. You didn’t think I’d watch it all, but I did. You also didn’t fool me for five seconds about Liam’s death being an accident. It was only a matter of time before I got you. You were always going to lose to me.”
Malice glittered in his eyes. “Bullshit. My wife handed me to you on a platter.”
I smirked. “Yeah, she did. But I’d have got you either way.”
His mouth hardened. “I almost got you too.”
I stiffened. “What does that mean?”
He laughed. “You were next, dumbass. I had something real special planned for you too.”
My stomach churned as I held his cold gaze. I had no reason to doubt a word coming out of his mouth. “I’m glad I was special. Too bad you failed to execute your plan properly.”
He shook his head. “It would have been beautiful. I was going to let you watch your faggot boyfriend die in front of you. Painfully, I might add.”
It took all of my self-control not to lunge across the table and choke the life out of him. But somehow, I did it. I felt ready to have a stroke, but at least I stayed seated. “Is that right?”
“Yep. Then I was going to gut you like a fish.” His mouth curled in a cruel smile. “I’m pretty pissed that didn’t come to fruition.”
I forced a smile. “I’ll just add threatening a police officer to your charges.”
“You do that.”
I scooted my chair back. “I think I have all I need.” I stood and moved to the door. “I’ll have one of my deputies take you to your cell.”
He just stared at me, his expression blank.
I opened the door but turned to him. “I feel sorry for you, Michael.”
“Don’t you dare,” he growled.
I laughed. “I do though. Your pride destroyed you. You’ll probably spend the rest of your life in jail. You’ll never get to hold your grandbaby, all because of pride.”
He frowned. “Grandbaby?”
“Yeah.” I hesitated. “Didn’t you know? Janelle is pregnant with Archie’s child.”
His face fell, and shock washed over his blunt features.
“You seriously didn’t know?” I blinked at him. “Oh. Sorry. I assumed you knew. My bad.” I stepped out of the room, smirking as I heard his roar of fury.
I didn’t hit below the belt very often. I didn’t tend to like doing it. But as I walked away from the interview room, with Michael’s ranting voice echoing through the building, I couldn’t help grinning.
