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CHAPTER

THIRTY

Ashcroft’s nostrils flared. “Excuse me? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“I’m just asking questions.” Logan held the man’s gaze.

His captain stepped closer. “Are you accusing me of being behind this?”

Tension zinged through the air. “If you’re not guilty, why aren’t you answering the question?”

“I have nothing to hide. Yes, I was there. But I didn’t think it was important.”

“Why were you there? Are you an art fanatic?”

Ashcroft’s scowl deepened. “I was invited by City Council Member Anita Wabash, if you must know. When I got there, I got a call and had to leave. Is that explanation suitable to you?”

Logan swallowed hard. His explanation was reasonable.

But he still didn’t trust this man.

“Yes, thank you for explaining,” Logan finally said.

Ashcroft’s mouth tightened into a thin line as he seemed to take a moment to compose himself.

Then he turned away from Logan. “Reeves, secure the scene. Yazzie, take statements from all three of them. Separately.”

As Reeves and Yazzie moved to comply, Ashcroft stepped closer to Logan.

He dropped his voice to ensure only Logan could hear him. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing? Using Riley’s disappearance to play hero while undermining my authority?” His eyes were cold. “This isn’t how things work under my command.”

Logan met his gaze unflinchingly. “With all due respect, sir, I don’t care about departmental politics right now. Morgan is being held by a killer who’s already murdered two people. We have evidence?—”

“Evidence you collected while on leave,” Ashcroft interrupted with a scowl. “Evidence that may now be compromised because you couldn’t follow simple instructions to stay away from active investigations.”

Logan felt his control slipping. “The killer left a photograph of Morgan for me at Duke’s place while I was there last night.”

Something flickered in Ashcroft’s expression—a momentary crack in his bureaucratic armor that suggested the information had registered despite his antagonism.

After a pause, he said, “Show me.”

Maybe if Ashcroft saw this, he’d change his mind.

Logan was about to find out.

Ashcroft examined Logan without apology before finally grunting. “Your connection to this case compromises your objectivity and prevents you from being involved in any official capacity.”

“I’m already involved.” Logan’s voice sounded flat. “Whether I want to be or not.”

“That’s precisely the problem.” Ashcroft let out a sigh that almost—almost—suggested reluctant understanding. “What exactly do you want, Gibson?”

“I want to find Morgan.” Logan held the captain’s gaze. “This psychopath has her, and I’m not sure what his plans are. To keep her as a muse? Or to make her part of one of these re-creations? I don’t like either option.”

For a moment, it seemed Ashcroft might relent.

Then his expression hardened again. “You’re on leave.

You will provide Yazzie with a complete statement, surrender any evidence you’ve collected, and remove yourself from this investigation immediately.

” He straightened to his full height. “That’s an order, Gibson.

Break it again, and you won’t be on personal leave—you’ll be unemployed. ”

Logan’s fists clenched at his sides. “And Morgan?”

“We’ll handle her disappearance according to protocol.” Ashcroft’s tone made it clear the discussion was over. “Now, I suggest you and your friends give your statements and leave the crime scene before I decide to bring you in for obstruction.”

There was nothing more to say. Instead of answering, Logan watched as forensic techs arrived and began processing the scene.

As Ashcroft walked away, Andi turned toward him. “That could have gone better.”

Duke joined them. “Or it could have gone worse. At least he didn’t arrest you on the spot.”

Logan stared at the hunting cabin, feeling the vise tightening.

This guy was playing a game.

He was taunting Logan in the process.

Ashcroft had warned him to stay away.

But there was no chance he was backing off from this.

He would do whatever it took to get Morgan back.

No matter the cost.