Warped Allegiance: a Jo Riskin Mystery, #3 by Debbie S. TenBrink

Author:Debbie S. TenBrink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, mystery, suspense
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Published: 2022-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Jo tapped her phone and pretended to check a schedule. “I’m afraid this room is needed soon. Why don’t we move to a different one?”

“I think all the conference rooms are booked,” Lynae said. “You’re going to have to use an interrogation room.”

Jo curled up her lip and rolled her eyes. “Damn.” She held out her hands in a helpless gesture. “Sorry, Samantha. Those rooms are a bit cold, but it’s all we have right now. My office has crime scene photos.”

“I don’t mind what room we’re in,” Samantha said. “But I can’t look at crime scene pictures.”

Lynae gathered her things and stood. “Should I sit in?”

“No, we’re just going to catch up a little,” Jo said with a smile that she knew Lynae would accurately read as feral-cat-toying-with-its-prey.

Returning the innocent look, Lynae replied, “I’ve got some paperwork to handle. I’ll be at my desk.”

Jo led Samantha down the hallway to an empty interrogation room and motioned for her to go in. After shutting the door, Jo leaned against it and made a show of acting wrung out. “It’s always tough talking to the people left behind.”

“I don’t know how you do what you do,” Samantha said, rubbing her fingers roughly over her forehead. “I have a screaming headache.”

“Would more coffee help? After that, I sure could use another cup.”

Samantha looked at her gratefully. “Sure, that would be great. Decaf, if you have it.”

“I remember you always switched to decaf after only a cup or two.”

“I’m surprised you remember that.”

Jo opened the door and looked over her shoulder. “I don’t forget much.” She left the room and detoured to Lynae’s desk. Planting both hands on it, she said, “That earring that fell out of her purse—”

“Matched the one from the crime scene,” Lynae finished, holding out a manila folder.

“Yes, it did.” Jo took the folder. “What’s this?”

“Crime scene pictures. A shot of the earring attached to Victor’s back and a close-up of it to show detail.”

“How the hell do you have these already?”

Wiggling her eyebrows, Lynae said, “I can’t tell you all my secrets, or you won’t need me anymore.”

“Well, that’s never going to happen. You’re quite possibly the best partner in history.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

“Never. I’m going to spend a few minutes playing nice, then I’ll hit her with this.”

“Give her some slack, then reel her in,” Lynae said, miming reeling a fishing line. “I like the way you work.”

“Less like reeling and more like jerking the line and hoping she bites.” Jo toyed with her wedding ring, which she wore on a thin chain around her neck. Taking it off her finger had been a momentous move, but the weight of it around her neck was comforting. “Come with me. I’d like you in the observation room. Pay attention, and come in if I’m pushing personal feelings too much to the front in my line of questioning. Some of it will come out intentionally, but stop me if I’m crossing a line. And turn on the

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