Adverse Possession (The Anna Albertini Files #3) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,76

nodded. “Yeah. Getting away helped, although I’m still having nightmares. Then Chrissy called while I was out of town with Jolene, and somehow that got both of them mad at me. Sometimes I think I should just lay low and do my job with my true love here.” He patted Zena’s head.

“Well, she’s cute but can’t give back rubs,” I countered. Maybe I should get a dog. Or a cat. I wasn’t home a lot, so it probably wasn’t fair to a pet, either way. “I’m free if you need to leave Zena again. Any time.”

“Did you and Aiden split?” Quint asked.

I paused. “No. Why?” Just the idea hurt, but I wasn’t going to show that.

“Nonna called and asked me to invite Nick Basanelli to my poker night next week with the family. I figured something was up.”

Oh. Maybe the charity committee was just the beginning of Nonna’s plan. “Nonna is trying to fix Nick up with Tessa.”

Quint frowned. “Does Tessa know?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s a campaign,” I said.

Quint’s face cleared. “Then I’ll invite him. So long as Nonna is concentrated on Tessa’s love life, she’s not getting involved with mine. It’s every Albertini for themselves in this situation.” He released the toy so Zena could twirl around with it.

“Keep that in mind, cousin,” I said. “I haven’t told Nonna that you’re dating the woman who keeps writing mean articles about me in the paper.”

Quint hugged me again. “Thank you. You’re a goddess and I love you.”

I grinned. “True. All of that is true.”

Bud appeared in the doorway. “I have to go to the office and make another statement. That means you’re coming with me. Please.”

“Okay.” My easy acceptance obviously surprised Bud because he took a step back. Truth be told, the police station was exactly where I wanted to be right now.

Quint reached down and reclaimed the toy from the dog. “I have a dinner tonight, but then I’ll be over with ice cream for dessert and a chat. We can figure out what’s going on and come up with a plan for you, Tessa, and me. I’ll get her on the way.” He snapped his fingers and walked out with the happily panting dog right behind him.

Bud frowned. “How come you let him be bossy?”

“He’s bringing ice cream,” I said.

Bud gestured me in front of him. “There are reporters out the front, so let’s go the back way where my truck is. We have the alley cordoned off right now.”

“Good.” The last thing I needed was another picture in the paper. So I tugged my purse up my arm and reached Bud’s truck without incident. He drove us to the station, and we hustled inside. It almost felt like a miracle that I’d been spared. Bud nodded at the cop behind the reception desk. “I have to meet with my captain. Do you mind waiting here?”

“Nope. I’m good.” I waited until Bud had disappeared before moving up the steps to the next level and walking to Pierce’s office. It was empty. Then I walked through the bullpen, waved at a few friends, and somehow ended up near the interrogation rooms. Only one had a light on, so I slipped around the hallway and into the observation room, which was also vacant.

Pierce sat with his back to me, while Aiden sat across from him next to a man with a round face, also wearing a Lorde’s cut. Aiden was slouching and looked insolent, so he must’ve been in character.

I flipped on the audio system so I could hear.

“Listen, Carbine,” Pierce was saying. “I want to know where you were yesterday and last night. Start talking and now.”

Carbine crossed his arms. He had muscled arms, a big belly, and a long beard that was pure brown. No gray. His hair was thick and fell to his shoulders, and it was also brown and possibly unwashed. “I was home.”

“What’s your given name?” Pierce asked.

Carbine rolled his eyes. “Carbine. That’s my name.”

Pierce’s shoulders stiffened. This was no doubt a voluntary interview, and if Carbine wanted to leave, he could. So Pierce could only push so far. “Did you live with Bev?”

“Not anymore. I kicked that bitch out after she caused the truck accident and food fight.” Carbine showed no emotion.

Pierce must’ve looked at Aiden. “On your orders?”

Aiden shrugged.

I swallowed. Aiden had told Carbine to break up with Bev because of me?

“Devlin, answer me,” Pierce barked.

Aiden slowly turned his gaze to Pierce. “I don’t get involved in my men’s love lives, detective. However, I