Zello sank back down, his shoulders lowering in defeat, his eyes weary. “It lasted for three weeks and was exciting. Then I discovered that she was married, although separated, and I ended it. When I did so, she laughed at me. Said that I was one of about twenty men she was experimenting with in the sack, boasted that she was in her sexual prime or whatever. I figured I got out in time and thanked the good Lord for that.” He frowned. “How did you find out?”

“There are pictures,” Huck drawled.

Zello’s mouth dropped open. “Pictures of me sleeping with the mayor’s sister-in-law?”

“Naked sex pictures,” Huck affirmed.

Officer Zello dropped his chin to his chest. “I had no idea. She had a camera set up?”

Laurel cut Huck a look. “You didn’t know?”

“Of course I didn’t know,” Zello snapped. “I don’t want sex pictures of me out there. Someday I want to be sheriff and maybe even governor.”

Huck coughed. “A charge of hindering an investigation would probably hurt your prospects.” He let himself smile. “Or not. These days, in this political climate, who knows? Might help you get those jobs.”

“I didn’t say anything about Sharon because it’s irrelevant to the case, and because I wanted to remain on the case.” He tugged at the end of his handlebar mustache. “Then I saw Abigail and wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. To have an excuse to see her.” He shrugged.

Huck kept his bored facade in place. “Sounds like stalking to me. Agent Snow? Is that stalking?”

“That could be considered stalking,” Laurel agreed. “Officer Zello, my concern is that you’ve engaged in sexual relations with two out of the victims of this serial killer. You’re also the only person who ever took a police report from Charlene Rox. That leaves Dr. Christine Franklin. Right now, tell us of any connection you had with her. She was a cardiologist.”

“I swear, I never met Dr. Franklin and had no connection to her.” Zello lifted both hands in the air. “I will voluntarily compile a timeline of my movements for the last month, but it’ll take me a little time to go through my calendar.”

Huck winced. “I’m not sure we shouldn’t book you right now.”

“If that’s what you want to do, then do it. I should’ve told you that I’d had a very brief relationship with Sharon Lamber, as did many other men, I believe. But that’s all I’ve done wrong.” Zello stood. “Now, I have to get to work. Also, you should watch the accusatory tone, Captain.”

Huck’s eyebrow lifted. “Excuse me?”