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“I’m going to change and head in.”

He nods. “I’ll drive you.”

“You don’t?—”

“I’ll drive you,” he insists.

I throw up my hands in a cease fire. “All right.”

It doesn’t take me long to change and then I swear Zav drives a hundred miles an hour to get there. I’m not prone to motion sickness, but my stomach doesn’t feel great as I walk into the building.

“Brennan! Should I cuff you for speeding?” Captain eyes me as I walk in. “There’s no way you didn’t break laws to get here this fast.”

“Ooh, kinky. Celine arrest me.” Zav sticks his wrists out and I push them down with a hiss.

“Don’t listen to him.” I swat at him to get behind me.

Captain arches a curious brow. “He seems to be popping up at a lot of crime scenes lately even though he isn’t on the force. Why is he here now?”

“I’m her personal security detail,” Zav pipes up from behind me. “Don’t like it? Take it up with my lawyer.”

I swat at the annoying vampire behind me wishing I could duct tape his mouth.

“So, you caught him?” I attempt to change the subject.

“Yup. Like I said we spotted him on CCTV downtown by that coffee shop you love. His prints match the ones we took from your apartment.” The captain halts in front of the interrogation room with a hand on the silver handle. “We haven’t questioned him yet in the hopes you could come in and be here to help do it yourself. I know you’re worried the break-in was personal and hope that if you meet him, it will help assuage your concerns on that front. Ready?” He waits for me to respond.

“Let’s do it.” Besides my small exhale of breath, you’d never know that I’m nervous.

I feel Zav go to follow me into the room and I turn around and plant a hand on his chest.

“Celine,” he whines.

“I let you come, but you need to stay out here. If you happen to hear anything I can’t help that, but you won’t be in the room.”

I can tell he doesn’t appreciate being sidelined but he also recognizes that this is something I need to do on my own.

Entering the interrogation room, I pull out a chair and sit.

The man sitting across from me is unassuming.

He appears to be in his mid-twenties, if that. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes, and a basic hoodie and jeans outfit. I’d never pick him out as a criminal. I suppose there’s no right appearance for a criminal, though. The quiet ones are honestly the ones you have to look out for, and he seems to fit that bill. He fidgets nervously as we sit there in silence, and I stare him down.

Captain Barnes sits next to me to moderate. I’m sure it’s in case I slip and allow feelings to flood in. I’ve gotten very good at tucking those pesky things away though and refuse to let them out now. I drum my fingers on the metal table and the culprit’s eyes dart down to follow the motion.

Definitely a little twitchy.

“What’s your name?” I start off easy.

“Derek ... Fallows,” he stammers out.

“Do you know why you’re in here, Derek?”

“No. I really don’t,” Derek replies. “One minute I’m heading out for a late-night cup of coffee and the next thing I know I’m sacked by the police. I’d honestly love an explanation myself.” He begins to get defensive but his genuine confusion, in turn, confuses me.

Furrowing my brow, I glance at the captain but he’s still writing.

“Playing dumb isn’t going to get you anywhere. In fact, it could get you into more trouble, Derek.” I enunciate his name and lean forward to look in his eyes he tries to keep downcast.