Death and Her Devotion (Rogue Vows #1)(7)

“He’s a good boy,” Sheila said from her desk. “Polite and well mannered. I think that little outburst was to get your attention.”

“Poor kid. He’s been sitting out here for an hour with nothing to do. Josh said they called Brandon’s mom, and she’s driving down from Portland today. Sounds like Brandon spends ninety-five percent of his time with her, so it’ll be good for him to have her here.”

Sheila sniffed, and the sparkles in her pink eye shadow glittered. “Children need two full-time parents.”

Stevie simply nodded, avoiding a discussion. “Have you heard from Kenny and Carter?”

“Yes, they’re nearly done interviewing everyone at the campground. The county evidence team finished a while ago, and Kenny told them to be discreet about the identity of the victim.”

“Good.” Stevie made a mental note to check in with the county soon and start applying pressure to get some evidence results fast.

The front door flung outward, and a gorgeous blonde woman stepped in. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she clutched a handful of used tissues to her chest.

Stevie blinked. The woman was a dead ringer for Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, except her face was round, not heart shaped. She was petite, darling, and dressed from head to toe in pink. Flip-flops, shorts, and a cropped top.

“Did you find who killed Chase yet?” she whispered. Mascara ran down one cheek.

How did this woman hear about the murder? Stevie tensed, ready to ask her to leave.

Sheila stood. “Can I get your name, miss?” she asked in her no-nonsense voice.

“Cyndee Sykes. I’m Chase’s girlfriend,” she whispered.

Josh must have called her. Stevie’s heart cracked for the woman, and she stepped forward. “Why don’t you come with me and we can talk in private?” Sheila arched a brow and pursed her lips at the statement, but Stevie didn’t care if she was the only other person in the room and completely trustworthy. The woman deserved a quiet place to mourn.

Cyndee followed Stevie to the room where she’d interviewed Josh. The blonde promptly took a seat and pulled the Kleenex box toward her. She deftly plucked four tissues and wiped her eyes. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’m a bit of a mess,” she said with a sigh. “I just can’t believe it.”

Is she an actress? Stevie couldn’t place her name or face, but the woman was the epitome of Hollywood glitter. She had to be famous or else currently working hard to get there. She could easily imagine the woman on Chase’s arm.

“That’s understandable.” Stevie took a seat. She couldn’t stop staring. Perfect hair, perfect lips, perfect skin. If Cyndee walked into a party, everyone would turn to look. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

A fresh wave of tears flowed. “He was soooo wonderful. I can’t believe this happened. Have you caught the man who did it?”

“We don’t know what happened yet,” Stevie said gently. “We’re still collecting evidence and interviewing anyone who might have seen something.”

“Did his brother or friends see what happened?”

“We’re talking with them, but they were all asleep.”

“When they’re sleeping is usually the only time they stay out of trouble,” Cyndee said softly. “The guys always steer Chase into wild behavior.”

“What kind of wild behavior?” Stevie asked. Drugs? Could the murder be the result of a drug deal gone bad?

“Other women.” Sad eyes sought comfort from Stevie. “None of them approve of me. They’re always pushing Chase at other women.”

“That is a low thing to do. I’m so sorry.” Annoyance shot through Stevie. Relationships were hard enough without the guy’s friends wreaking havoc. She slammed shut a memory of her ex’s * friends. “Do you know if Chase was having problems with anyone? Or had an argument?”

“Oh, he argues with his buddies all the time,” Cyndee said. “It’s always something. Money. How they treat me. Their laziness.”

She’s painting a different picture of the men’s relationships. Are the three friends covering something up?

Cyndee frowned, perfect eyebrows coming together. “You really should be out searching for his killer instead of sitting in here.”

Why does everyone think I need to be outside to be productive?

“We’ve got plenty of people working the scene.”

“I saw. I swung by the campground first, hoping they’d let me in, but some officers told me to check in here. They wouldn’t even let me see where he died, and I knew they’d already removed the body.”

“Yes, we can’t have people possibly contaminating evidence at the scene. They did the right thing.”

“Can I see him?” she asked in a high voice.

“Not yet. He’s with the medical examiner,” she said, hoping the thought of an autopsy wouldn’t send Cyndee over the edge. “Is someone here with you?”

“No. I came alone.” She shredded the damp tissues into a pile on the table. She reminded Stevie of a hyper bouncing kitten, and it triggered her protective instincts.

Where am I going to put her?

There was a knock on the door and Zane shoved it open, Spider’s tall frame in the hallway behind him. “Hey, Stevie.” His gaze went to Cyndee and his eyes widened slightly. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know you were—”