Page 83 of Seven Deadly Sins

“I haven’t killed anyone.”

“But you would, wouldn’t you?” Liam leaned even closer. “If this man were to ask you?”

~

Liam now leaned so close to the man, he could smell the onions he’d had with his lunch. “Mr. Maysup?”

Shaking his head, he moved as far away as he could without leaving his seat. “No. I have a family. A wife and kids.”

“What did Mr. Thompson talk about during that meeting?”

The man clenched his hands together hard enough to turn his knuckles white. “Do you know what happens to those who talk? You’ve signed my death warrant by bringing me here.”

“If you help us, we can provide you and your family with protection.”

“There’s no way to protect me.”

“Then you might as well talk.” Liam didn’t enjoy playing the bad cop.

Harper stood. “We’ll give you a few minutes to compose yourself, Mr. Maysup.” She jerked her head toward the door.

Liam straightened and left the room. They stood on the other side of the one-way mirror.

“Do you think he’ll talk?” Harper exhaled heavily.

“Absolutely.”

“What about the other two?”

He shrugged. “Hopefully. We know that Maysup was at that meeting. I’m not sure about the other two. If they weren’t, we can’t prove they know Thompson.”

She nodded. “How long do we let this one stew?”

“Long enough to have a cup of coffee.” He smiled and led her to the breakroom. “Are we going to tell the chief about today?”

“What? And tell him we sat there and did nothing?”

“I wanted to see what she would do. It isn’t time for her to kill us.”

“No, but now we have to look over our shoulder every minute for the next time she pops up.” She poured a cup of coffee and added cream and sugar.

Liam chose his black. “I’ll start worrying when we’re on the last sin.”

When they’d finished, they returned to Mr. Maysup. Harper sat without speaking. Liam stood against the wall and remained silent. After a few minutes, the man started to squirm.

“All he did was talk about the sins and for us to keep our eyes open and let him know if we knew of someone committing one of them that he could take care of.” He hung his head. “I’ve not given him a single name.”

“Why not?” Liam cocked his head.

“I agree in making the world a better place, but not by killing people. I think we can teach people to be better.”

“How good of you.” Harper smirked. “You’re still backing a killer. You knew of his crimes and did nothing. That makes you an accomplice.”

“Are you going to arrest me?”

“I’m sure we can make a deal. Know where Thompson is?”

The man shook his head. “He’s disappeared. No one has heard from him since his identity as the killer was made known.”