Perfect Night (Mason Creek #4) - Terri E. Laine Page 0,64

that ultimately opened a murder investigation.”

He wasn’t moved. “If you won’t investigate her, I will.”

I wanted to punch the smug bastard, but I remained calm. Sheriff Moon popped his head in. I wasn’t sure how much he heard. “Of course, we will investigate Ms. Hawkins as procedure dictates. In fact, I’ll be interviewing her this afternoon. I’ll be sure to have Aiden pass on our findings.”

The man stood and held out his hand. I didn’t take it. The sheriff did. They exchanged introductions before the guy left.

“Emma didn’t do this,” I protested once I knew the insurance investigator was out of earshot.

“Maybe not, but you should know any good defense attorney will question why we didn’t. So we do.” He held up a hand to stop me so he could finish. “You’re too close to her. Another weapon a defense attorney could use. So I’ll do it.”

He was right. “Fine, but I’m watching.”

“As long as you keep your cool. I can’t go soft on her Aiden. You know this.”

I did. That didn’t mean I had to like it. Still, I had to wonder why Emma’s father took out such a large policy. Was he in fear of his life?

Gaining access to his email and phone would be as easy as calling Emma. But again, I had to follow procedure so anything that I found could be admitted into evidence. Up until this point, I’d made the mistake of thinking this case was simple. Now it was time to find out what Doug was doing leading up to his death.

My finger hovered over my phone. I couldn’t call Emma and warn her. I just hope she understood when I explained later, why I couldn’t. My cell phone records could be subpoenaed in the future. They could tie a call from me to her before Sheriff interviewed her. It would look bad and give the real killer reasonable doubt in jurors’ minds. So I put down my phone and prayed she’d forgive me.

I’d been listening for Emma showing up since the sheriff didn’t tell me when she was due to arrive. I also didn’t ask. When I heard her up front, I left my office and went directly to the viewing room with the one-way glass to see into the interrogation room. I wasn’t hiding. It was better Emma didn’t see or hear from me until after the sheriff talked to her.

A camera was set up already in the room. I clenched my fist as the sheriff explained he would be turning it on and then read her the Miranda warning. She shouldn’t be here, I thought.

The sheriff laid into her. “Emma, can you tell me where you were the night of your father’s death?”

“In bed. Why are you asking me this? You asked me these things after you found him.”

“This is for the official record now that we have proof he was murdered.”

I could see the anger in her face as she figured out why she was there. “Proof I paid to get. I told you from the beginning I thought Dad was killed.”

“I know that, Emma. But I have to ask. Please tell me where you were that night.”

“In bed. Alone and no, no one was with me.”

“Not even Evan?” Sheriff asked.

“No. Dad wouldn’t allow us to share a room because we weren’t married.”

“Where did Evan sleep?”

“In the downstairs room.”

“Would you know if he left the house?” he asked.

“No.”

“Would he know if you left the house?”

She shrugged. “It’s possible. The room is in the back, but if the house was silent, I suppose he might hear the front door open.”

“But you couldn’t?”

“I had ear buds in that night.”

“Is that something you normally do?”

“Sometimes,” she said.

“But that night you did?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Do you know your father’s state of mind that night?”

I scrubbed a hand over my face because this was a damning piece of evidence that could be used against her.

“The last I saw him, he wasn’t happy. He and Evan didn’t get along and things turned ugly at the dinner table.”

“What was said?” Sheriff asked.

“Evan asked my father about his no sleeping in the same room rule. Dad said he didn’t have to explain himself. It was his house. Evan told Dad he was too old fashion and that he and I had slept together many times so saving my virtue was far too late.” I hoped the next time I met Evan we weren’t in Mason Creek and I wasn’t on duty. “Dad told him he didn’t deserve any