Playing Dead_ A Novel of Suspense - Allison Brennan [115]
“But you can’t arrest him.”
“Ma’am, please leave.”
The patrons were leaving, murmuring among themselves. “Lock up, Frank,” Steve said.
The door opened, and Mitch was about to tell the customer the bar was closed when he saw Claire standing there.
She was pale, much too pale. She glared at him, hurt and anger in her expression. But Mitch was so relieved to see her—to know that she was okay.
“Did you follow me here?” she asked, one hand on her hip.
“No, we’re following up on Oliver Maddox’s murder. I had no idea you were here.”
She grinned without humor. “You had someone sit on me.”
“Didn’t last long.”
“I’m too smart for you.”
“How did you end up here?”
“I’m not telling you anything.”
“Claire, we need to talk. About your father and what you’ve learned about Maddox.”
Frank Lowe said, “I didn’t kill anyone!”
“No one said you did, Mr. Lowe.”
Claire blinked and rubbed her temples. “Lowe?” She turned to him. “You’re Frank Lowe?”
“No,” he said while both Mitch and Steve said, “Yes.”
Claire stared at Lowe. “You can clear my father. You bastard, why did you lie to me?”
“You’re going to get me killed! Don’t you understand, this is way above you. I’m going to die.”
“If you don’t talk, my father is going to die!”
Mitch watched the exchange, wondering if Frank was going to crack. He was clearly between a rock and a hard place.
“I can’t clear your father,” said Frank. “I swear, I don’t know what happened that day.”
“But you know why Chase Taverton was killed.”
“I’m not saying a word.”
“You’re still under arrest,” Steve said.
Mitch walked over to Claire. “I will find out the truth. I promise.”
She stared at him, arms crossed.
He continued, “Your father called me a few days after the earthquake and tipped me off to where Blackie Goethe’s gang was. We took down the gang and your father risked his life to save mine. He told me he was innocent. I didn’t believe him, but I owed him. Out of curiosity I looked into his case. Saw some things that made me question whether he was even guilty. I befriended you because I wanted to bring him in safely and knew he’d be in danger if he went into state custody.”
He stepped toward her, reaching out and touching her cheek. Claire flinched. Her mouth trembled.
“I never expected to fall in love with you, Claire.”
She whispered, “I don’t believe anything you say.”
“I’m not sorry I met you, but I’m sorry I had to lie. I did it for the right reasons.”
“And what right reason did you sleep with me for?”
“I’d do anything to prove to you that I care.”
She turned and left.
“Ready?” Steve asked quietly.
“Let’s get Lowe to headquarters,” said Mitch.
Mitch stared at the door. Claire didn’t look herself. More than because he’d hurt her. He wondered if she was sick. She’d rubbed her head like it hurt.
Or maybe it was all because of him.
THIRTY-TWO
Claire’s stomach was queasy. Damn Mitch. Why’d he have to say anything to her? It would have been easier if he just acted like a damn FBI agent. Why’d he have to tell her he’d fallen in love with her? Was it another game? Why?
She was going to puke. No, no. She had nothing to throw up. She turned the ignition of Bill’s truck and started toward River Road. Just get home. No, the hospital. See her dad.
She couldn’t even think straight, Mitch had upset her so much. She slowed to focus on driving. She hadn’t even drunk half the beer at the Rabbit Hole. She wasn’t drunk or even slightly impaired. But she felt . . . impaired.
Had Frank Lowe drugged her? That didn’t make sense. She’d ordered her beer before he knew who she was. Could he have done it without her seeing? Maybe. Maybe when she was talking to Phin and turned away for a minute. But why?
Maybe that’s what he’d done to Oliver Maddox. Drugged him at the bar so he crashed into the river and drowned. Again, why?
She focused on the reflective markers in the middle of the winding road. The lines were blurry. She slowed down. Stop driving. Her foot was so heavy. She couldn’t move it.
Bump bump bump.
She jerked her head up, eyes