her armor. “That wasn’t a particularly big secret around town.”
“I suppose not.” She took a seat at the small drop-leaf table that sat up against the kitchen window overlooking the backyard. The stiff set of her shoulders loosened, like a balloon deflating, as her gaze drifted toward the yard. “Other than a love for his dogs and a roving eye, I’m not sure the man had much to show for his life.”
“He seemed to think it was a good life. I’d only met Bo a few times but I work with his brother and sister. Bo came around to visit them a few times and he was always a jovial sort.”
“He lived life to the hilt.” Darby pulled her gaze from the window, a sad haze dulling that bright blue. “And took whoever and whatever he wanted along on that ride with him.”
Finn took a seat opposite her, softening his voice. Since she hadn’t responded to his blunt approach, perhaps he’d get further if he slowed down a bit and actually listened to her. “Not a glowing testament to his personality or his life.”
“Sadly, no. But it doesn’t mean he deserved to die for it.” That gaze lifted to his, a blaze of fire igniting. “I didn’t kill my ex-husband. You have to believe me on that. I thought I was done with Bo Gage and have been living my life perfectly happy with that fact. How would I have possibly known the man left me in his will?”
“You were married to him.”
“And the day I filed for divorce, I changed my will to remove any trace of him. I’d have expected he’d do the same.”
“Well, he didn’t.”
“No, he didn’t. And instead of leaving me some sort of fabulous inheritance, he left me with bills, a dog unable to continue breeding and a business I have no interest in owning.”
Bills?
“I thought Bo’s business was strong and solvent. Our K-9 unit buys several of his dogs. I know he’s got others throughout the county who are on a waiting list for Penny’s puppies.”
“Then Bo expanded his business beyond what he could reasonably make.” She shrugged. “Another sign of the Bo Gage mystique. Make people think you’re successful and you are.”
Reluctantly, Finn saw the picture she painted, of a man with too much charm and too little sense. Regardless of the destruction he’d wrought, it was Finn’s job to do right by a murdered man. But that picture did point to someone who might have had more than a few enemies.
None of which explained why Darby needed to be stuck with her ex’s mistakes.
“So why keep the business?” Finn asked.
“Because I made a promise to Bo’s father that I’d try. And because I also feel a debt to Penny. She’s gone through an awful lot and she deserves as much care and attention as I can give her.”
For the first time since he’d seen the bleach bottle dangling from her hands did something ease inside Finn, tilting the scales from suspicion to sympathy. He wasn’t ready to let her off the hook—not by a long shot—but he also wasn’t entirely sure the woman who sat before him was guilty of murder.
Or even capable of it.
Which was when another thought struck him with even more force. It was so simple.
So easy.
And it would allow him to keep an eye on her while doing the necessary work to draw out the Groom Killer.
“What have you heard around town? About the murders.”
“Same as everyone else. The killer seems to have a strange fixation on men who are about to get married. Bo and Michael Hayden were both shot in the chest.” She hesitated the briefest moment before continuing on. “And rumors have been running high that your cousin Demi is responsible. Though I find that hard to believe.”
It was a curious observation, especially as he didn’t think Darby and Demi were particularly well acquainted, if at all. “Why’s that?”
“I know her to say hello. I’ve waited on her several times at the Red Ridge diner. She’s...well, she’s—” Darby broke off before offering up a lift of her shoulders. “She’s just so capable. Her reputation as a bounty hunter is rock solid.”
“Which means she knows her way around weapons.”
“Maybe.” Although her comment seemed to acknowledge the thought, skepticism rode her features, narrowing her gaze.
“Maybe?” Finn asked.
“It’s just that she’s so cool and confident. Demi Colton is not the sort of woman who murders a guy who can’t appreciate her. Especially if that guy was dumb enough to dump her for Hayley.”
“So you think it’s someone else?”
“Yes, I do. And that someone isn’t me,” she added in a rush.
That tempting idea snaked through his mind once more, sly in its promise of a solution to his current dilemma.
Catch a killer and keep an eye on Darby Gage. It’s not exactly a hardship to spend time with her.
“Maybe you can help me, then.”
“Help you how? I thought you were convinced I’m the town murderess.”
“I’m neither judge nor jury. It’s my job to find evidence to put away a killer and that’s what I’m looking to do.”
“Then what do you want with me?” The skepticism that had painted her features was further telegraphed in her words. Finn heard the clear notes of disbelief, but underneath them he heard something else.
Curiosity.
“Fingers pointing at my cousin isn’t all that’s going around town. What began as whispers has gotten louder with Michael Hayden’s murder.”
“What are people saying?”
Finn weighed his stupid idea, quickly racing through a mental list of pros and cons. Since the list was pretty evenly matched, it was only his desperation to find a killer that tipped the scales toward the pro.
With that goal in mind—closing this case and catching a killer as quickly as possible—he opted to go for broke.
“Bo Gage was killed the night of his bachelor party. Michael Hayden was killed the night of his rehearsal dinner. One thing the victims had in common—they were grooms-to-be. And in a matter of weeks half the town has called off any and all plans to get married or host an engagement party.”
“I still can’t see what this has to do with me.”
“If you’re as innocent as you say you are, surely you’d be willing to help me.”
“Help you do what?”
“Pretend to be my fiancée, Darby. Help me catch a killer.”
