Page 36 of Kiss Marry Kill

Even with Lucas’s help, she was difficult to control. At one point, I found it necessary to put her in a sort of bear hug because she was clawing at my face. Since I didn’t want to lose an eye, it was important to restrain her. She shrieked and pounded my back, and I rasped, “Janelle, you don’t want to see him like that!”

She struggled for a few moments more and then slumped in my arms. She moaned and began mumbling, but her words were incoherent.

Some of the guests were crying, and all of them seemed confused. I was relieved when Deputy Juan and Deputy Dusty drove up. I was only too happy to allow them to take over. I finally let go of Janelle, and surrounded by her bridesmaids, she sobbed uncontrollably. Her mother, Angela, stood like a statue, making no effort to comfort her grieving daughter.

The groom’s parents were inconsolable as well. They lived in Panama for tax reasons, and I got the feeling they hadn’t seen their son much since leaving the US. But they’d made the effort to come to his wedding to Janelle. While I hadn’t seen them spending much time with Archie during the day, it was obvious they were devastated by his death.

Hours passed as Royce secured the area and called DPS to come process the forensics at the scene. I continued to do my best to try and console a very hysterical Janelle. If I’d had my medical bag with me, I’d have definitely given her a sedative. She’d already been in a fragile state, and now she seemed on the verge of an actual breakdown.

Thankfully, Royce took pity on Janelle and released her into the custody of her parents. He made it clear to her, and them, that he’d need to speak to them the next day at the station. One by one, the deputies released people, and the group began to thin. Lucas and River left before me, as did Penelope and Gerald.

The police shut down the restaurant for the evening. The hotel guests were asked to stay inside their rooms unless it was absolutely necessary to leave. The staff was interviewed and their personal information taken. The five-member band was also questioned and then allowed to take their sound equipment from the building. Once they got permission to leave, the band stacked the speakers, monitors, and the soundboard outside the back of their van.

Looking demoralized, the drummer of the band opened the back of the van to begin loading the sound system into the vehicle. He let out a startled shout when a man bolted out of the van, shoving past him.

“Hey,” the drummer yelled, stumbling backward. “Who the hell are you?”

The guy fleeing the van didn’t stop to answer. Instead, he scrambled over the speakers, trying to make his escape. Deputy Juan was closest to the van, and he jumped into action fast. He tackled the guy from behind and took him down to the ground with a grunt.

Royce joined in, and I watched the three men brawling, praying Royce didn’t get hurt. Eventually, Deputy Juan and Royce subdued the guy, and they yanked him to his feet. My mouth fell open when I recognized Kobe Garrett.

Eyes wild and cheeks flushed, Kobe yelled, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I swear to God, I… I didn’t kill Archie!”

Chapter Six

Royce

It was late by the time I was able to leave the scene of Archie’s murder. Even then, I didn’t go home. I returned to the station and made a fresh pot of coffee. Then I drank four cups while studying the guest list. After a bit, Deputy Juan informed me Kobe was waiting for me in one of the interview rooms.

Buzzing on adrenaline and caffeine, I finally sat down across from Kobe. The fluorescent lights overhead hummed and cast a grayish hue over his skin. His eyes were red and his mouth a grim line.

“How about you tell me your version of events, Kobe,” I said quietly.

He flicked his wary gaze to mine. “Shouldn’t I have my lawyer with me?”

“If you want to wait for your lawyer, that’s fine.” I hoped he didn’t. That would shut everything down. I was dying to hear how he was going to talk his way out of this situation. He was the most obvious suspect, and even he knew that. He’d made no bones about his low opinion of Archie and hadn’t hidden that he still loved Janelle.

“I’m not guilty, but maybe I should wait for my lawyer?”

Stamping down my frustration, I said agreeably, “That’s up to you. I’ve read you your rights, so you know that anything you say can be used against you.”

“Exactly.” He frowned. “But I’m innocent. If I won’t talk, will that make you suspect me even more?”

“I’m just here to gather the facts. I’m not prejudging you.”

He squinted at me skeptically. “But you’re going to arrest me.”

“There’s a good possibility of that, yes. You didn’t help yourself any by making a run for it. That makes you look guilty.” I grimaced. “However, I’m a big believer in letting the facts lead me where I should go. I need you to be honest with me so I can get to the truth.”

He sighed. “I guess I can wait on the lawyer for a bit.”

“It’s your call.”

Because he’d been cooperative while in custody, I’d uncuffed him for the interview. That gave him the freedom to move his arms. He gnawed at his cuticle, looking uncertain. “I’ve never had a beef with you, Sheriff.”

“I have no problem with you either, but I have to do my job. The fact is, you had words with the victim shortly before his death. I’m sure if you were in my position, you’d also need some answers.”

“I know how it looks. That’s why I hid.”