“You live alone?”
“I did, but I have two guests with me now. Norma and Lily. They’re from Wilde. They moved away a little while back.”
“Were they home when you got there?”
She shook her head. “I was home around nine and went to sleep. I woke up this morning and went to work. I think Norma and Lily were there by the time I got up. Their door was closed.”
“But you don’t know?”
“I’m not certain,” she admitted.
“Fuck,” Brandon said.
“What?” Justin asked, standing.
Brandon set his iPad on the desk. “According to Byrd, the attack happened between eleven in the morning and one in the afternoon on Sunday.”
“Should we get this over with now?” she asked. “Maybe if I tell the sheriff everything, he’ll see I’m not guilty of any crime.”
“Not before we go over both your stories a few more times,” Brandon said. “When we do go to my dad’s office to meet with Byrd, I want you both to stick to the facts. Don’t embellish. Don’t offer anything unless asked. If you can keep your answers to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ that would be best. If Byrd’s question doesn’t allow that, keep your answer simple. Do you understand?”
“We get it, bro. Yes. No. Short. Simple. Just the facts,” Alex said, clearly frustrated by the whole mess.
The door opened and in walked Connie. “Your dad thought you might be here.”
“We’ll be there in ten more minutes,” Brandon said. “Tell Byrd my clients will cooperate fully with his investigation.”
“Byrd’s already headed back to Elko. Wayne has gone with him. The woman in the hospital woke up. They’re going to get her statement. Alex, the Elko folks want you to get there as soon as you can to check her out.”
“What happened to Dr. Kohl or Dr. McNab or any of the other physicians on staff? Why do they need me?”
“Apparently, they think the woman needs a surgeon of your caliber. Plus, the only one left in town is Dr. Vines,” Connie said.
“I know Tara Vines. Only a year out of residency. She’s likely nervous. Where are the others?”
“At a conference in Boca Raton.”
“Fucking lazy asses,” Alex spat. “Figures. Fine. I’ll go.”
“I’m going, too,” Brandon said.
She felt…anxious and torn. “Shouldn’t I go as well? Seems like Byrd might still want to talk to us.”
“Don’t rush in where angels fear to tread. It’s an old saying, but one that fits right now,” Brandon stated flatly. “It’s best if you stay put in Wilde.”
Justin nodded. “I’ll get you home.”
“Why would you do that?” she asked with as much sass in her tone as she could muster. Not much, since she was nervous as hell about the whole damn thing—Lucille, Sheriff Byrd, the Champion brothers. What a mess.
“Because there’s a killer on the loose,” Justin said, heading to the door.
“A killer in Elko, not in Wilde,” Shelby said, knowing she needed time away from all of the Champion brothers to clear her head. “Isn’t it highly improbable that they would show up here?”
“Maybe, but I’m not letting you go home alone,” Justin stated in a tone that told her he wasn’t about to be deterred from his plan to escort her home.
“You think you can protect her with that limp of yours?” Alex said. “Maybe you both should come with us.”
“Don’t worry about me, bro.” Justin smiled. “I can take care of her just fine. Besides, you’re needed down in Elko, not me.”