Page 10 of Tough Justice
Suzy’s hands circled a tall glass of water. She let out a long sigh, the side of her mouth dipping down. “Pissed. Thought I was taking my car in today to get my oil changed. Didn’t know I’d need to get a new paint job.”
She put up a good front, but he could hear the hint of fear in her voice.
Deputy Spencer Goodwin stalked into the room and cleared his throat. “Sorry about the wait, and thanks for coming in so I could grab your statements. I know you talked to Deputy Timken at the scene, but I understand Ms. Pierson wanted to explain a situation that may be connected.”
Duke frowned down at his sister. “What’s he talking about? I thought the threat was left on Suzy’s car. What does that have to do with you?”
Tears filled her eyes. “The message was left on her vehicle, but I think it was meant for me.”
“Why don’t we all sit down and I’ll close the door,” Deputy Goodwin said, waiting for Duke and Heather to sit before securing the door and dropping into a chair at the head of the table. “Heather, first let me say I’m sorry to meet you under such circumstances, but I can assure you if you think the threat was aimed at you, this department will do everything within our power to find the person responsible. But I have to ask whyyou think this message wasn’t aimed at Suzy since it was her vehicle?”
Heather swallowed, her gaze flitting to Suzy to Duke then back to the young deputy. “I showed up in town this morning to see my brother, but that’s not the only reason I left my hometown.”
Duke leaned forward to hear every word, his stomach at his feet. Heather was his brave, boisterous, fearless sister. He’d never seen this shaken version of her. Never seen her so scared and timid, as though a shadow of herself.
Silence stretched on, leaving him a tangled mess of nerves. He covered her small hand with his and squeezed. “It’s okay, Heather. You can tell us. We’re all here for you.”
She gave a subtle nod, as if convincing herself that what he said was true. “I was dating this guy.”
“Mason?” Duke asked.
Again, a subtle nod. “We were together for years but haven’t been getting along lately. I wanted space, and he wasn’t thrilled about that. He made it clear that wasn’t an option.”
Anger so hot and raw flared to life inside Duke, sweat dotted his forehead. “What’s that mean? What’d he do?”
She met Duke’s eye and tears hovered above her dark lashes. “He hit me.”
Duke exploded out of his chair. “I’ll kill him.”
“Dude, not smart to say in front of a sheriff’s deputy,” Lane said. “But if we need to discuss how to handle this outside, I’m right there with ya.”
“How ’bout you both keep quiet and let her talk or I’ll have to ask you to leave,” Deputy Goodwin said, voice firm. “Please, Heather. Take your time.”
She drew in a large breath. “He did it once and I left. Told him we were finished. He came by my place—I was an idiot and forgot he had a key—and we fought some more. He raised hishand and I grabbed a kitchen knife. Told him if he ever hit me again, I’d castrate him.”
Duke didn’t know if he should grin or cringe. “Thatta girl.”
A tiny whisper of a smile poked through her misery. “I insisted he leave. I knew right then I wanted to get out of town. Get some space and see you. But before Mason left, he told me I’d pay for wasting his time.”
“What’s Mason’s last name?” Deputy Goodwin asked.
“Pike.”
“And the name of your hometown?”
Just hearing the name of the place Duke ran from so long ago turned his veins ice cold.
Deputy Goodwin scribbled down the information. “I’ll make a call to the local authorities and see if this guy has an alibi. Suzy, is there anyone who’s been giving you a hard time lately?”
Suzy shook her head. “No, I can’t think of anyone. Heck, the only person I usually fight with is Lane and he’s been way less grumpy than usual now that he’s back with Celine.”
Lane grumbled something incoherent and rolled his eyes.
“Okay,” the deputy said. “Both of you should be aware of your surroundings, and call if you think of anything else that could be useful.”
“That’s it?” Heather squeaked out the question. “Just wait around and hope Mason isn’t hiding in the shadows somewhere?”
“You leave Mason to me,” Duke said. “You’re in my town now, and I won’t let anyone hurt one hair on your head.”
