“We’re done.” Ben rose to his feet. “Detective, you have zero evidence against my client. She gave you her phone—keep it. Run all of your checks on it. And when you’re done, give it back and maybe give her an apology, too.” He motioned toward Piper. “You aren’t helping her. You’re wasting time, and we don’t have time to waste. A killer is out there, and my brother and his team need to get hunting.”

Eric gave him a cold smile. “Well said, brother.” He stood, and his fingers curled around Piper’s elbow. Inclining his head to the detective, he told her, “We are done. I thought you’d help, Layla. It’s obvious a sick fuck is loose on the streets. One who is locked on Piper. He killed her ex-lover, and we both know you’re going to find evidence to show that Jessica Bromley’s car was sabotaged. Anything else would be just a little too convenient, don’t you think? This guy is on some kind of mission. He’s eliminating the people in Piper’s life—past and present—”

“If that is the case, then you and your brother should both be very careful.” The detective had risen, too. Her face showed her tension. “From what I can see, you two are Piper’s past and her present, so that would make you and Ben the targets. If this guy is eliminating people in her life.”

No, they couldn’t be targets. Fear nearly choked Piper.

“Where will you be?” the detective asked Piper.

“With me,” Eric said instantly. “So if you want to have any other sit-downs, give me a call.”

Ben grunted. “But we aren’t going to be so nice next time.”

The interrogation room door opened. A tall, handsome, African American man with a completely shaved head and wearing what had to be a thousand-dollar suit stood in the doorway. “I’m here for my client.”

“Kendrick Shaw?” The detective didn’t sound impressed. More like pissed.

He smiled. “The one and only.”

“You’re too late.” She waved him away. “I’m already done for today.” She grabbed her file and Piper’s phone and headed for the door. But she paused to frown back at Piper. Seemed to hesitate. Then… “Be careful.” She pulled a business card out of her pocket. “Take this.”

Piper’s fingers closed around the card. “Do you believe me?”

“I believe that some serious shit is going down in my town. I believe I have a dead body that I have to handle. He is my vic. He is my focus. I have to give him justice because that is my job as a homicide detective.” She expelled a rough breath. “But I absolutely do believe that you’re in danger. You need to watch yourself and the people around you, because I think this mess could get a whole lot worse before it gets any better.”

***