Page 60 of The Hanging Dolls

Scott turned red.

“Ms. Warner,” Zoe said. “We need to ask you a few questions.”

Before Regina could respond, Connor, the omnipresent in Regina’s life, jogged toward them. “I’m sorry, but now isn’t a good time,” he said, his voice clipped. “Ms. Warner has just finished an interview and needs a moment to herself.”

Regina glanced at Connor, then back at Zoe, clearly uneasy. “Maybe we can do this another time? I’m sure you understand how draining these interviews can be.”

Zoe wasn’t having it. “This won’t take long. It’s important.”

But Connor was already moving between them, subtly guiding Regina back toward the path that led out of the park. “I’m afraid you’ll have to schedule something through her office,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Right now, Ms. Warner has other commitments.”

The reporter, still hovering nearby, raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the interaction. Zoe clenched her jaw, not wanting to cause a scene but knowing they were being stonewalled.

“If you don’t talk with us, I’ll gladly tell the reporter what this is about,” Scott said. Zoe eyed him and was surprised to find his eyes darkening. With the cut running down his face, still raw and fresh, he looked downright scary.

Connor flinched but his expression hardened. “Are you threatening us?”

“I have two dead girls and I’m running out of patience.” He didn’t take his eyes off Regina.

Regina sighed, her face troubled, and gave them a curt nod, gesturing them to move to a corner away from the hovering reporter. “How can I help?”

“Do you know Tara Bennett’s father, Logan Bennett?” Zoe asked.

Regina drew a strangled breath and crossed her arms. “The name does sound familiar. Why?”

Connor stiffened. “We won’t say a word without our lawyer. We know our rights.”

“And I have the right to free speech.” Scott turned on his heel to go to the reporter, but Connor blocked him.

“Fine. Fine.” He chewed his lip and raised his hands in surrender. His cheeks tinged pink and Zoe noticed his hands were shaking.

“He worked at EcoSolutions Group. That name ring a bell?”

Connor licked his lips. “We did business with them. Many years ago.”

“What kind of business?” Zoe said.

Regina opened her mouth but Connor spoke over her, his voice wavering. “The school for kids with special needs that Regina built around five years ago. They were one of the companies who were contracted to provide an environmental impact report before construction began.”

“Then why are you still paying Logan five grand every month?”

“Iam?” Regina cocked an eyebrow, her jaw locking.

“We traced it to a shell company called Global Holdings Inc., which is registered to you,” Scott said. “It looks like bribe money. And now his daughter is dead. Do you see where we’re going with this?”

“I’d be very careful about what you say next,” Connor said, wagging his finger at them. “What would we gain from killing Logan’s daughter?”

Zoe shrugged. “Maybe you’re tired of paying him off. Maybe you need more cash to run an aggressive campaign.”

“That is a very serious accusation, Agent Storm,” Regina said.

“I’ve seen people kill for far less, Regina, and political aspiration is a big motive.”

“Are you admitting that you are paying him off?” Scott asked.

“We are admitting to nothing.” Connor tipped his chin up. “Whatever you found, it could have been a clerical error or maybe it’s Hicks.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. “Maybe he’s actually worried that Regina is going to beat him, so he’s using this case to plant false evidence to get rid of his competitor. I’m assuming you two are on his payroll.”

“You have a lot of theories. Why don’t I haul your ass to the station so that we can discuss this further?” Scott stepped forward.