Secrets Never Die (Morgan Dane #5)(47)

She waited, unmoving. They’d called for this meeting. They could open the discussion.

“You have the right to remain silent . . .” The sheriff read Tina her Miranda rights, then slid a piece of paper across the table. “Mrs. Knox, please sign that you understand your rights.”

“Mrs. Knox is a suspect?” Morgan asked. She hadn’t expected them to Mirandize Tina. It would be a conflict of interest for Morgan to represent both Tina and Evan if they were both charged in the same crime, but with no charges filed, she’d worry about that technicality if it ever materialized.

“That might depend on how she answers my questions,” Colgate said.

He wasn’t taking any chances with Tina’s interview.

Lance’s posture shifted. Morgan pressed her ankle against his. She needed him to let her handle the sheriff and ADA. He exhaled hard and settled back into the chair.

“But she was at the urgent care center when Paul was killed,” Morgan said.

“She was,” the sheriff agreed. “But that doesn’t mean she wasn’t involved in her husband’s death.”

Sheriff Colgate leaned forward, flattening both palms on the table. “Mrs. Knox, do you know where your son is?”

“No.” Tina looked confused, but she signed the paper.

Sheriff Colgate slid it to his side of the table. “Has Evan tried to contact you?”

“No.” Tina glanced at Morgan, then back to the sheriff. “This is ridiculous. You had an officer outside my hotel room door all night. How do you think he could have contacted me? Telepathy?”

Morgan bumped Tina’s leg. Taking the hint, Tina clamped her mouth closed.

“What is this about?” Morgan asked.

The sheriff scratched the gray stubble on his face. “We think Mrs. Knox knows more than she’s saying about her husband’s murder and her son’s location.”

“Based on what evidence?” Morgan asked.

Sheriff Colgate glared at her. “The fact that Mrs. Knox withheld two very important pieces of information.”

Morgan folded her hands in front of her. “Mrs. Knox provided a reasonable explanation.”

“She forgot?” One of the sheriff’s bushy white eyebrows lifted. “You call that reasonable?”

Morgan nodded. “Considering she had just found her husband’s dead body? Yes.”

“That makes no sense. If my father had served time for murder, he’d be the first person I’d think of if someone in my family were killed,” the sheriff shot back. “And I think she kept the fight between Paul and Evan to herself because it made Evan look guilty.”

Morgan didn’t comment. Unfortunately, the sheriff’s argument was stronger than hers, and they all knew it.

The sheriff tugged at the collar of his uniform and returned to his questions. “Mrs. Knox, did Evan kill your husband?”

“No!” Tina’s brow lowered.

“How do you know?” the sheriff asked.

“Evan wouldn’t hurt Paul.” Tina enunciated each word distinctly.

“Evan once took a swing at Paul,” the sheriff pointed out.

“That was different.” Tina’s eyes misted. “I already explained what happened.”

He fired another question at her. “Did you delay calling the police to give Evan time to get away?”

“No.” Her eyes narrowed, anger flashing.

The sheriff didn’t pause for a breath. “Do you know or suspect where Evan might be hiding?”

“No.” Tina’s voice went flat.

“You left the hotel yesterday. Where did you go?” he asked.

“I was driving around, looking for Evan,” Tina said.

“Are you sure you didn’t meet him?”

“What’s the meaning of this?” Morgan interrupted. “Tina is frightened for her son’s safety. She has no idea where he is.”

Sheriff Colgate sat back and studied Tina.

Esposito joined in. “I hope not. Because if you have any knowledge of where your son is or if you have helped him in any way, then you could be charged with aiding and abetting or conspiracy after the fact.”

“Hold on.” Morgan stood and turned to Tina. “Do not answer any more questions.” Morgan faced Esposito. “You are out of line. If you want to charge Mrs. Knox, do it. You have zero evidence.”

Esposito changed the topic. “We have plenty of evidence against Evan, though.” He lifted his forefinger. “Paul Knox was shot with a 9mm bullet, the same caliber as his own weapon, which is missing. At the time of his death, Paul had been cleaning his gun. The weapon had been out of the safe and available to Evan. So the boy had the means to murder Paul.

“Next is opportunity.” Esposito raised another finger. “There is no evidence of a break-in the night of the shooting. There is no sign that anyone else was in the house the night of the shooting. Paul was killed between midnight and one a.m. The teen was dropped off by a friend at the house at twelve thirty a.m., more than two hours past his curfew. We received the results of the expedited DNA tests on the blood on the fence and back door. The tests confirm that the blood is Evan’s. So we know that Evan was at the house when Paul was killed.”

Shit. Juries loved DNA.