Page 115 of Kiss of Deceit

“Not true,” Harry said gruffly. “The first victim was an intern.”

“Probably to keep suspicion off.”

“Yeah. Our town was fine until the fucking interns got here.”

“They’re going to fuck it up for everyone.”

“They need to go.”

“Question them all.”

“Better yet, lock them all up and see if the murders stop.”

The interns in the crowd shifted uneasily when eyes began to stop on them. My heart pounded harder when the yelling continued. The locals didn’t want this to end. It was probably the most freedom the majority have had in years.

“Start with her.” A face I didn’t know pushed through the crowd and pointed at me. “She’s been connected to it all. Was at two of the murder scenes. She works with the police. I bet she knows all the shit about getting away with it.”

Before I could open my mouth to respond, Kole stepped in front of me, blocking me from the stranger’s view. The crowd quieted slightly when Kole commanded attention.

“No one will go near Dani,” he said, threat lacing his voice. “She’s innocent in this. You try to touch her, we’re going to have a fucking problem. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry, man.”

Just like that, all eyes averted from me. I swallowed thickly, Kole’s action reminding me how much sway he had in this town.

“Disperse,” Susan said loudly, waving her hands. “Everyone except law enforcement and essential workers needs to go home.”

She got more than a few pointed glares, but no one argued as everyone slowly walked away. Kole remained at my side, his body stiffening when Miles came up to us.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked me.

“She’s busy,” Susan said, looking Miles up and down.

Miles rubbed the back of his neck. “I was just hoping you’d buddy up with me. It would give us a chance to talk more.”

My heart panged with pity. He’d been clinging to me ever since he admitted how the night at the station messed him up. Because I was there that night, he wanted to talk to me. He believed I was just as scarred from what happened. I didn’t mind talking to him if it helped, but there was only so much I could say.

I nearly jerked when fingers slid through mine. Kole’s shoulder brushed mine as he squeezed my hand a bit tighter.

“She’s with me,” Kole said, challenge entering his voice. “I’m sure Hallie would love to be your buddy.”

Miles frowned, his gaze darting to our hands. “I was talking to Dani, not you.”

“Dani works with the police,” Susan answered before I could. “These rules don’t apply to her. We’ll be working around the clock. Go home.”

A dark look crossed Miles’s face before he muttered something under his breath and stormed away. I tugged my hand from Kole’s, and he let me go without any resistance. Susan and Harry walked away to talk to the medical examiner who was photographing the scene.

“I’m with you?” I questioned under my breath.

He met my eyes, a smile on his lips. “I didn’t hear you deny it.”

My stomach flipped in a way that only confused me. After everything I learned tonight, I had no idea what to think or believe. If Kole’s story was true, then I’d been right about him. He wasn’t a monster. He had only killed to protect his sister. If the information on his laptop proved his words, I still wasn’t sure what I’d do.

Kole might be the man I fell for, but I was still a killer, clinging to my dark secrets. I couldn’t believe I admitted to him that Tristin and Leon weren’t my first kills. What the hell was I thinking? His suspicions of me would only grow. He was working with the people in charge of this experiment, who were also involved with my internship. If Kole found out what I was, and he turned on me, it could be the end of my freedom.

“We better hope there is evidence left behind.” Susan’s voice broke into my warring thoughts. “Since we have no suspects, I’m making a list of those I think could be capable of this. You and Harry will talk to them.”

Even though I knew the answer, I still questioned her. “A list from where?”