Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(56)

“I need to speak with him before he speaks to Elizabeth Beacon.”

“Are you her lawyer?”

Carter shoved a hand through his hair. Banging this kid’s head into the wall, as much as it was tempting, would probably not help the situation. “No. But if you could please tell him Carter McIntyre is here and that I have information he might find useful, I’d appreciate that.”

The young officer nodded and left him alone. Moments later, Jeff appeared. “Carter, this had better be good. I’ve got—”

“Oh, cut the crap! You know Liz isn’t involved in any of this.”

“Sir,” Jeff interrupted, “this is an active investigation. If you have any information you’d like to share, I’m happy to hear it, otherwise—”

“In private,” Carter agreed.

Jeff wordlessly opened the security door and let Carter through. “I’ll just be a minute,” he said to the other officer before leading to an empty room down the hall. He shut the door behind them, turned on Carter. “Christ, Carter! I don’t care if I did date your sister back in high school, you can’t just waltz in and—”

“Liz didn’t do anything wrong,” Carter interrupted, “you and I both know that. She’s as squeaky clean as they come. Plus, she’s only just gotten back to Sugar Falls. She’s been gone for years. She’s not a user and she’s certainly not a dealer.”

“John Beacon is her brother.”

Carter blew out an impatient breath. “That’s not her fault.”

“And you were once friends with John. Are you still?”

Carter narrowed his eyes. “Are you asking that as Jeff Dayton or Officer Dayton?”

“I’m on duty.”

“The answer is no—Jeff. I have nothing to hide. I hadn’t seen John for ages until he showed up at Liz’s parent’s house this week.”

“Where’s he living now?”

“No clue.”

“Then it looks like we’re done here.” Jeff turned toward the door.

“Wait! Is that who you think supplied Dan? If that’s true, Liz doesn’t have a clue, either. I guarantee it.”

“I can’t comment—”

“Enough! Stop being a cop for a second, will you? Liz was caught in the middle here. I guarantee she knows nothing.”

“Do you know something?”

“Other than that Dan O’Connell is a dipshit?” He let out a frustrated breath.

Jeff let out a frustrated breath of his own. “Then you have nothing that can help me.”

“Okay, maybe. Don’t ask me how I know, but I think I may have an idea who’s dealing in town. Or at least someone who’d likely know. Just leave Liz alone.”

Jeff rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask me how I know? Did you really just say that to me? A uniformed officer? Christ, I cannot believe small towns.” He raised a hand. “No! For the love of God, stop talking. Before I have to arrest you, too. I’m busy enough tonight.”

Jeff ran a hand through his short-cropped hair. “If what you say is true, if Liz Beacon has nothing to hide, then she’ll be free to go. We’ll just want to ask her a few questions. In the mean time… go get a cup of coffee or something before I change my mind and tell the newbie out front to strip search you.”

Carter nodded. “Thanks, man.”

Carter stepped back into the hall a few minutes later—at the same time Dan O’Connell was being escorted to a nearby room. Their eyes locked.

Dan looked pale, old beyond his years. And scared.

And, in that moment, after years of hating the guy, Carter only felt sorry for him.

It could have just as easily been him.

Not that he was into any of that now, he reminded himself, but he hadn’t always been a saint. It took dropping out of college, partying too hard and totaling his car to figure out he was on a fast road to nowhere.

That and Gramps’ little pep talk. The old guy always did have a way with words. And, after his stint working as a guard at the state penitentiary back in the day, he’d painted a picture of life in prison Carter hadn’t had any interest in experiencing firsthand.

Carter returned to the waiting area and pumped some coins into the coffee vending machine. His gut told him John was certainly capable of dealing. But if Liz’s brother wanted to hang himself, Carter didn’t intend to be the one to supply the noose.





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

____________________

“‘FORMER VALEDICTORIAN Lunges for Lingerie During All-Star Alum’s Drug Bust?’" Liz lowered the morning paper. “Your local news guy has a sick sense of humor.”

Trish had the gall to laugh as she picked up the paper. “I think it’s kind of witty. Besides, what are you complaining about? The dress looks fabulous in that photo. Glad you took my advice about the bra.”

Liz snatched the paper back. “Ack! You can tell I’m not wearing a bra?”

“Other than the fact that it’s dangling from that cop’s fingertips? Look at his face! I swear he was laughing. Did they arrest you?”

“For being na?ve? No. I answered some questions, but I wasn’t the one with the heroin, so they let me go.”