Books and Bribes: A Paranormal Witch Cozy Mystery (A Book Store Cozy Mystery 1) by Lucinda Race

Author:Lucinda Race
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781954520431
Publisher: MC Two Press
Published: 2023-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Gage

L ily stepped in between her aunt and me as she demanded, “Gage, have you lost your mind?”

I knew this wasn’t going to go favorably with Lily, but I had to do my job. Although I didn’t feel like I had to justify what I was doing, I did anyway. Mimi Michaels had been a part of my life since I met her niece when we were little squirts. I kept the handcuffs secured to the back of my belt. Keeping them out of sight might help Lily’s temper. Not that I blamed her. This was an untenable situation.

“I’m sorry, Mimi. I have to follow the evidence and procedure.”

She stepped around Lily and patted my cheek. “It’s alright. I have nothing to worry about. I didn’t kill Flora, and once you hear my side of the story, I’m sure you’ll believe me, too.”

I quickly read her rights to her and asked if she wanted Lily to call her lawyer. It wasn’t wise that she come in for questioning without someone there to protect her interests. If my boss wasn’t pressuring me, I wouldn’t have even come to the bookshop. But he wanted someone arrested, and he didn’t care if it was the wrong person. At least the community wouldn’t lose faith in our ability to solve the crime.

“Lily, call Nate and let him know what happened, and then find me a lawyer and have them meet us at the police station.” She looked Gage in the eye. “You will wait for a lawyer to show up before asking questions, right?”

I felt like a jerk. My heart was heavy as I nodded. “We’ll give you time to talk with your lawyer before we begin formal questioning.”

“Gage.”

Lily’s sharp tone stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t want to meet her gaze. I had been on the receiving end before when she was furious, and this was bound to be worse.

Mimi said, “Lily. Stop. Gage has a job to do, and as I just told you, I’ve been withholding details that might help the case. You can’t be mad because he’s following procedure.”

“I can, and I am.” Lily’s face didn’t soften, nor did the fire in her eyes dim.

But this was a look I hadn’t seen before. I noticed she flexed her fingers in and out of a fist a few times as if she were preparing for several rounds in a boxing ring. While she did, she was taking deep breaths. I had never seen her like this before. “Other than the obvious, are you okay? Do you need a drink of water?”

Her shoulders sagged. “No. I don’t need anything to drink.”

I wanted to wrap my arms around her. This was by far the worst thing I had ever done to her, and by the stars, I hoped it would be the last. “Call Nikki. With her reporter contacts, she might know who the best lawyers in the county are. And then call one.” I lightly clasped my hand on Mimi’s forearm.

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