“Piper. I need to speak to her.”

“She’s busy right now, and from what I just heard doesn’t want to speak to you.”

Small towns, Dylan thought. They circled the wagons in seconds if one of theirs was threatened, even if she was suspected of poisoning.

He didn’t speak, just turned to go. The cloud of pain and anger that Piper could have done this to him, to his mother, was clearing. Suddenly he had doubts.

Gulping in deep breaths as he left the building, he tried to think clearly.

“Dylan!”

Joe Trainer and his brothers were approaching.

“How is she?”

He didn’t speak, just kept walking.

“Don’t tell me you actually believe this BS?”

Joe grabbed his arm, his grip fierce. Dylan shook it off and faced him.

“She had motive.”

“Fuck motive!” Joe roared. “She’s had motive for years and never acted on it. Your mom has been buying a dozen donuts every week. Why now? And fuck you too for believing her capable. I thought she meant something to you. Thought you two had a thing.”

“The facts point to her.”

“Anyone could have put that poison in there, and you should know that. Know that maybe whoever did this is setting her up to get at you.”

“Your cousin made those donuts!” Dylan roared back.

He didn’t see it coming because he’d raised his eyes briefly, but the fist he took to the jaw sent him backward. He hit the wall, but didn’t drop.

“You’ve been in the city too long, Howard, if you can’t see a real person when she’s standing in front of you. Someone who would walk through fire for those she loves. Now get the fuck out of my sight.”

He looked from the fury of Joe to his brothers, who’d watched the entire incident in silence. Their anger was equally as menacing.

“Come on then, city boy, if you want to have a crack at me, take a swing. I’m in the mood,” Joe growled.

“No fighting!”

Chief Blake appeared.

“No fighting,” he said softly. “Piper doesn’t need this, and it’s not solving anything. Dylan, you go on now and get out of here, before these Trainers get off the leash and rip you apart.”

“They could try,” Dylan growled. His face ached like the devil, and he wanted to fight. Needed something to take the anger and tension from inside him.

“Whenever and wherever your game, city boy, you just let me know. I know you have my number, because that’s what we share with people we once considered friends.”