Page 65 of The Girls in the Snow

Nikki took out her badge. “Nikki Hunt, Special Agent, FBI.”

He smirked. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

“Do you want me to scare you?” Her temper threatened to boil over.

“You put an innocent man in prison. For twenty years,” he began to say.

“Enough,” Miller interrupted.

“Leave it alone, Doug.” Bobby Vance appeared at his side and tugged on the other man’s arm. He was a couple of inches shorter than Doug but far more lean and muscular. “She’s working. And this isn’t helpful to Mark’s case.”

“Listen,” Nikki snapped. She appreciated Bobby stepping in, but she could stand up for herself. “I don’t have to answer to you or anyone else. You have a problem with the conviction, talk to Sheriff Hardin.”

Caitlin’s eyes lit up like a predator’s as she walked over. “Are you saying Hardin deliberately mishandled the case?”

“I’m saying that I was a sixteen-year-old kid. My statement alone didn’t convict Mark Todd. Go bark up the right tree.”

Doug pointed his finger at Nikki. “You need to admit you were wrong before shit gets out of control. People are angry.”

Bobby moved toward him, but Miller blocked his path. “Are you threatening a law enforcement officer, Doug?” Miller’s tone sounded even more threatening than his physical stature.

Doug held up his hands. “Everyone just wants to hear from her.”

“I already gave Ms. Newport my statement,” Nikki said. “My team and I are one hundred percent focused on these active murder investigations.”

“We have a right to protest,” Doug said. “First Amendment.”

Nikki struggled to keep her tone steady. “I respect that right. You do not, however, have the right to impede my investigations.”

Bobby rolled his eyes. “He just wants to be included in her stupid documentary.”

“Doug, you aren’t helping Mark’s case at all.” Newport turned to leave and then glanced at Nikki. “Agent Hunt, if you ever want to discuss your feelings about Sheriff Hardin, give me a call.”

Why couldn’t Nikki control her big mouth?

Newport dropped a couple of bills onto the protesters’ table on her way out of the restaurant.

Doug glared at Nikki, obviously torn between pride and common sense as Bobby lingered behind him.

“Go on back to your table, or I will take you down to the station,” Miller said.

“I almost forgot. The FBI does whatever it wants and gets a free pass.” Doug puffed out his chest, emboldened once again. “Is that why you joined, Agent Hunt? To hide behind the badge?”

Liam stood, red-faced. “Do you know anything about respect?”

“Big guy finally stands up for his girlfriend.” Doug smirked at her. “How are we supposed to count on you to catch those poor girls’ killer? You can’t even see what’s right in front of you.”

“Oh, I see what’s in front of me.” Nikki stepped around Miller and glanced at the rest of the protestors. She lowered her voice. “Which girl over there are you trying to impress?”

Doug shoved Nikki out of his face. “Fuck you.”

Bobby grabbed Doug’s coat collar and threw him into a nearby table. Doug got to his feet and lunged, but Miller caught him by the arm.

“You were warned.” He snapped cuffs around Doug’s wrists. “How stupid are you?”

“No fighting in my restaurant.” Main Street’s owner had come out of the kitchen.

“It’s under control,” Miller said. “Doug’s going to the station with me.”