out. I’m scared with our history and Luke pointed on us like a bloodhound. Please, Piper, don’t do anything for now. I mean, if you wanna call about what happened to you at the hospital, fine. But nothing about Boone. I just...can’t.”
Piper understood the fear. The confusion. “Go to Vegas, and on Monday when you get back, we gotta talk seriously about this guy.”
“I’m so stupid!” Harmony wiped tears with the back of her hand. “Come with me.”
“Mama Jean needs me. And I can’t run.” She helped carry Harmony’s luggage outside and lobbed it in the backseat. “In fact, I’m heading that way after you leave.”
Harmony slid into the driver’s seat. “How did he get in?”
“I don’t know. We know some tricks, so he probably does, too.” When Harmony left, Piper would check entry points.
“Text and let me know how she’s doing. You sure I shouldn’t stay?”
“Go.”
“It’s gonna be okay. It has to be, right?”
“Don’t worry.” Easier said than done. Could she really keep this from the police? Would her conscience let her?
Harmony drove off, and Piper searched, finding scuffs and splintered wood on the back door, which told the tale.
If nothing else, Harmony was getting a security system installed ASAP. If the ex was involved in burglaries and robberies, he could have ties to Chaz. They could be working together. A nagging feeling that her past had returned with a vengeance plagued her.
The doorbell rang.
Piper peeked through the hole. Great. Luke and the guy she saw at the hospital with dark hair and a leather jacket. Her throat tightened as she opened the door. “Is it Mama Jean?”
“No,” Luke reassured her. For a moment his features softened with his voice, but then he hardened his jaw.
Piper eyed him. “So what’s going on?” Did someone witness the attack at the hospital and tell him?
“Can we come in?” Luke didn’t wait to be welcomed and stepped inside.
“Sure.” Swinging her arm out, Piper motioned for the other detective to enter. “Do you want coffee?”
“Since when do you drink coffee?” Luke asked, and he flinched when his partner gave him a quizzical expression. Didn’t seem as though he’d let the other detective in on their connection to each other. Couldn’t blame him.
“Do you want any or not?” Patience wasn’t a virtue, and Luke had made it clear last night there was nothing but a case between them. So why make with the pleasantries?
“I’d like a cup.” His partner extended his hand. “Detective Hale.”
Piper shook his hand and sized him up. About two inches shorter than Luke, putting him at six-one. Lush, pitch-black hair, kind brown eyes. Easy smile.
“Piper Kennedy.” She grabbed a mug from the cabinet and started pouring Detective Hale a cup. “Luke? I mean, Detective Ransom?”
Luke shook his head, and she looked at Detective Hale. “Cream? Sugar?”
“Black, thanks.”
She handed him his cup and sat at the table. “Any news on Christopher Baxter? He have anything to do with the break-in?”
Luke glanced at his partner. “This is about a new case. Tyson Baroni was murdered.” Luke scrutinized her as if waiting for her to admit guilt.
“How?”
Luke cracked his knuckles. “ME says his neck was broken. Right after someone mangled him with a tire iron. You know anyone who could do that? Snap a man’s neck?”
A tire iron. Piper’s stomach nose-dived, but the accusation flared hot.
She inched out of her chair, narrowing her eyes. She knew he’d never believe her. “Get out.”
“I’m just asking a question. Why so defensive?”
Eric put his cup on the table and studied them.
“You’re not asking me a question. You’re implying. Could I snap a man’s neck?” She placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Yes,” she hissed. “Would I ever? No.”
Did he really believe she could kill someone?
“When is the last time you saw Tyson Baroni?” Eric interrupted their standoff and Piper slowly turned her head in his direction.
“I haven’t seen or talked to Tyson in a decade.” Why would she?
Disappointment filtered through Luke’s eyes and he sighed. “Then why did he have your business card in his pocket, and why were your prints on it?”
The air deflated from Piper’s lungs. How did Tyson get her business card? “He’s never been to the dojo, at least not that I’ve noticed. And I haven’t seen him here. I came straight to the hospital, and I need to be there now or I’m going to miss visiting hours.”
Luke tightened his lips, his eyes impassive. No trust in them whatsoever. Could she expect him to trust her after the lies she’d told years ago? Lies to protect him, but he’d never once come to that conclusion. Still smarted.
“I am sorry about that, Miss Kennedy,” Detective Hale said. “But you can see this presents a problem. Straighten out the confusion for us.”
“I can’t!” Piper threw her hands in the air. “I’m as confused as you.” The past was back. Blaring everywhere she turned. This couldn’t be a coincidence, but how would anyone know she was in town? Seemed as though she’d been here just long enough to be framed for murder and attacked twice. The reality pushed her to her seat.
“Piper?” Luke laid a hand on her shoulder. “What is it?” The warmth seeped into her bones. She’d missed his touch. His comfort. His strength.
“Nothing. It’s...nothing.” If only that were true.
“Where were you last night after you left the hospital?” Detective Hale asked.
Luke folded his arms over his chest. She buckled under his intense gaze.
“I didn’t kill Tyson. I don’t even know where he lives.”
“He lived in a small apartment attached to his shop in Midtown. And that’s where we found him.” Luke drew his notepad out. “If you would just tell us the truth, it would help.”
The truth? Harmony was going to go ballistic, but Piper had no choice. They could believe her or not. “Fine. The truth is...”
Luke scooted his chair closer to hers, his knees touching Piper’s.
“The truth is...?” Luke leaned down, forcing her to make eye contact.
