“Ann Marie was at the kissing booth!” Maggie smiled as she produced the answer that it seemed Ericka had been going for.

  “Exactly.”

  Greg rose. “I’ll call the school. You two wait for Bagger. I have a feeling that this isn’t going to be an easy or quick task.”

  Investigating a fellow officer was never easy. But when it was the only officer that was supposed to be helping the town, that made it ten times worse.

  ****

  Russ stopped at the donut shop. Tyson entered behind him. He whistled under his breath and dropped a piece of paper at Russ’ feet.

  Russ bent and picked it up as Tyson was leaving the store. He unfolded it.

  ME just found your DNA on Ann Marie’s lips.

  Russ folded the paper and shoved it in his pocket. He purchased his coffee and donut to go and walked as quickly as he dared to his patrol car. Once inside he reread the note.

  He remembered that day. The school carnival. The kissing booth. Everyone was kissing that girl. He was supposed to be working security, but some of the guys from the school baseball team dared him to pay to kiss her, so he had.

  Now that was coming back to bite him in the butt. He was too old for her. Story of his life.

  He didn’t have to question why Tyson would warn him. He was Tyson’s money ticket. Although that ticket had been punched, Tyson just didn’t know it yet. While he was away, the new group of agents snuck in and figured out his system. They had turned it over to the authorities before he’d known anything about it.

  Russ hadn’t warned Tyson because it would have been obvious it was an inside job.

  How Tyson knew about the ME and what he’d found was a complete mystery. But Russ couldn’t get any more involved. Tyson would find out when he found out.

  The text that came through on Russ’ phone demanding he return to the office meant that Bagger knew the information now as well. If he’d remembered he could be implicated he never would have suggested the DNA swab. Maybe that was the way to play it. Completely innocent and not stupid enough to implicate himself.

  He hadn’t killed Ann Marie. In fact, he’d been at the police team’s baseball practice the entire afternoon. It had been an emergency practice. They wanted to look good for the New Yorkers joining them. It hadn’t gone too well.

  That meant they would have to find someone else to pin it on.

  He was more than ready for the questioning. Bring it on.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Russ Thomas wasn’t going to know what hit him. Ericka had requested the opportunity to question him. The poor officer thought it was all going to be about Ann Marie and kissing, but she wasn’t even going to ask about that. The school had sent video, and it just happened to be trained on the kissing booth. Or trained on it enough so they could see every person that got in line to kiss Ann Marie.

  No, she had an entirely different line of questioning that she was going for.

  Russ entered the room and took a seat. He slouched back like he was comfortable in this element. Like he had nothing to worry about.

  She almost felt sorry for him.

  Almost.

  “Look, before you start talking, I’d like to say that I was at baseball practice the afternoon that Ann Marie was killed and about twenty people saw me there and will vouch for me. As for the DNA, I kissed her at the school kissing booth.”

  His smug smile had her balling her fists under the table, but she regained control and placed her hands on the tabletop.

  Ericka offered a smile of her own as she said, “Thank you for that bit of information, but we already confirmed all that.”

  Ericka thought she heard Bagger gasp from the other room, but she wasn’t sure. He would really gasp when she was finished.

  Russ leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “If you didn’t bring me in to question me about that, then what?”

  “I’ve heard through a private source that you’ve been working with Tyson Grunley. Not only have you been gambling with him, but you supply him with people and keep the cops at bay when they get too close.”

  Thomas swallowed. “Uh, uh, I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I mean you work for Tyson Grunley.”

  Sweat beaded on his upper lip. “You don’t have any proof.”

  “True, I don’t have any yet. But the video that he uses during the games has just been confiscated. Within the hour I will have all the proof I need.”

  “B-but, I didn’t do anything wrong!”

  “Nah, you just broke about a dozen of the laws you were sworn to protect.” She paused for effect. Then she drummed her fingers on the table. “You know, it might help if you could tell me what you know about Ann Marie and Tyson Grunley’s relationship.”

  “Relationship? They didn’t have a relationship. She was totally in love with Jaxon Ryan then she loved Michal Lewis. That was until Heather Worley stepped in. Which wouldn’t have happened if Ann Marie hadn’t gotten pregnant.”

  Ericka cocked her brow, and Russ slapped his hand over his flapping mouth.

  “Do tell.”

  “Look, the baseball field is full of rumors. I try not to listen, but it’s impossible. And with the adult/teen game coming up, the kids are everywhere talking even more.”

  “Why didn’t you come forward with this information?”

  “Because I don’t have any proof. Kids break up and date someone else all the time. It doesn’t mean they killed somebody.”

  “True, but in this case, someone was killed and I’m going to find out who did it.” Ericka wouldn’t stop until she solved the crime.

  “Good for you. Then you can leave and never come back.”

  “Sounds good to me as well. Not that you’ll notice since you’ll be enjoying your many years in prison.”

  Ericka scooted the chair out and left the room. Once in the hallway, she looked at Emmett Bagger. “Are we still part of the police team?”

  “Um, yes.”

  “Good. When is practice? It sounds like we need to be there.”

  ****

  Greg hid his pride for Ericka as she came out of the room and immediately asked Bagger about practice times. She was correct that they needed to go. If there were that many rumors floating around then they might be able to find out exactly what they needed to know, just by showing up and practicing.

  He really didn’t want to play baseball with a bunch of people who hated him, but what the heck, once or twice might be kind of fun. Not like he hadn’t done something similar before.

  Football in high school might have given him the rep of being popular, but it had been a nightmare behind the scenes. Snide looks and comments had flowed every time he caught the ball and ran to the endzone. Several on the team thought there was a conspiracy to make him, and only him, look good because his dad was a bigwig in town.

  Dad had been on the city council! He’d own a small business. Nothing more. Yet…

  Snapping before his face had him coming back to himself.

  “Greg, what now?”

  “Now we wait.”

  They planted themselves in the uncomfortable, black plastic chairs and watched Bagger as he made call after call. Greg could read the body language. If they had not been there, he wouldn’t be making the calls at all.

  Asking a judge to authorize the collection of saliva samples from a multitude of popular teenagers wasn’t going to go over well in this town. If Bagger ever wanted to run for sheriff, he might have blown his chances. Greg would have told him to his face, too bad. Ann Marie deserved justice, and no one, not even a great teenage baseball player, was above the law.

  An email came over his phone and he pulled it from his pocket.

  “It’s the video.”

  He traded places with Ericka and sat between her and Maggie. Maggie had been oddly silent during the questioning. In fact, most of the time she’d looked at her phone. Tristan had left the B&B for places unknown. No doubt she was waiting for word on his destination or his future plans.

  When the video started, Maggie and Ericka both leaned in. Ann Marie was at the kissing booth. She wore a crop top that was tied under her breasts and a pair of Daisy Duke shorts. In between guys, she refreshed her lipstick. She didn’t look uncomfortable as she kissed every guy that came to her booth and forked over money.

  Each guy she kissed a little different. A few looked like they only got a peck. Others she went full blown French kiss. Ericka had a pad of paper noting the ones that got special treatment.

  When the video ended, Ericka said, “That’s a lot of guys.”

  “All of the baseball team got the special kisses.”

  Maggie had noticed what was happening and jotted down the ones that only got a peck.

  Von Tremell had been in the video. He’d tried to place a hand on Ann Marie’s waist, but she’d pushed it away and barely given him a peck on his rough, beard covered cheek. Russ Thomas hadn’t got much affection, either.

  “We need to visit the medical examiner to see if he did a DNA test on the baby.”

  He could have slapped himself for not thinking of that before. Being with Ericka was distracting. He wasn’t on his game.

  “I’m calling now.” Maggie stood up and stepped away. They heard her asking questions as she walked outside, and the glass door slammed behind her.

  “Does she seem okay?” Greg followed her pacing through the clear window.

  “Nope. I think she’s going to quit and meet up with Tristan.”

  “Oh.”

  That would mean that just the two of them would remain. That wouldn’t really be good for them. Being alone could cause them to get too close too quick. They really needed to learn about each other before they jumped into other parts of a relationship. He was a firm believer in a lasting relationship and not something fleeting. Although earlier he’d felt differently.

  He massaged his temples. Relationships were confusing.

  Maggie reentered. “The ME took samples, but never tested them. Honestly, I don’t think this town wants to find who killed that girl.”

  Greg agreed. If they did find the killer, it could mean that their most popular team didn’t make it. Baseball had put them on the map, and that was where they wanted to stay.

  ****

  “Hey, Dad.” Heather stepped into the medical examiner’s office.

  “Heather, what are you doing here? You’ll contaminate my samples.”

  Heather lifted a petri dish. She let it drop a little harder than she should have. A crack appeared on the side, and she rushed to hide it.

  “What sample is this?”

  “Heather! I told you not to mess with those. Now I’ll have to take another swab.”

  Heather moved away and rolled her eyes. Dr. Miles Rose was engraved on the plaque her mother had given him for Christmas. Her stepfather was such a twit. She really hated him. But he could prove useful. Especially now.

  “What do you need? I thought your mother said that you were headed home. She didn’t mention you dropping by.” He paused. “Why are you dropping by?”

  “What? Can’t a girl just stop by to see her father?”

  “Heather…”

  “Fine. I need twenty bucks.”

  “What for?”

  “I need to get my nails done for the game tonight.”

  “There’s a game tonight?” He was already digging money out of his wallet.

  “Well, it’s a practice game, but it’s just as important. I still need to look good, right?”

  She probably could have asked for a lot more. She probably should have asked for a lot more. One day, it wouldn’t matter. She would have everything. The boy. The house. The family. She would have everything she’d ever wanted. She was working on it now.

  “Here.”

  She took the money and shoved it in her pocket. She would have taken the sample, but he was looking right at her. Instead, she said, “What is that anyway?”

  “DNA from Ann Marie’s fetus.”

  Heather narrowed her eyes at the glass dish sitting on the counter. That little dish would prove who the father of Ann Marie’s spawn was. Not that Heather cared. It had happened before she got with Michal or Jaxon or any of the others. But she didn’t want anyone of them implicated. Pointing a finger at one of them would point it at all of them.

  They were in this together.

  “Is that really necessary?”

  “Yes, it’s necessary. There will be a court order so I’m getting ahead of it.”

  She leaned close and pouted. He took a step back. She’d been trying to come onto him since he’d married her mother, but he never reciprocated. Such a shame, really. They could have gone places together.

  She backed up and skipped to the door. She opened it and blew him a kiss. “See you later.”

  The door closed on his disgusted look. She didn’t mind. She had the information she needed. Jaxon’s dad would know what to do, especially if the sample implicated Jaxon. Otherwise, she would get help from someone else. There was always someone willing to help her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ericka stretched her arms above her head and leaned back and forth then from side to side. Players were entering the field. Soon that would be her.

  Baseball.

  How had she let herself be talked into this?

  Why had she gone along with the suggestion they should attend? Or did she suggest it? She couldn’t even remember now.

  She especially shouldn’t be doing it when she had bigger things on her plate. Like Joey Malone being in town. There hadn’t been one moment to explain that to Greg or to Maggie. They hadn’t even noticed when they went in the shop before. Probably because Ann Marie had been up front. That had been a nice touch. It was another way to hide them being in town. Although, the idea that another mob member would ever show up there was highly unlikely.

  Quinn appeared at her elbow. He held a bat and practiced swinging it. She opened her mouth, and he interrupted.

  “Don’t ask. I’m here for the game. That’s all I can tell you for now.”

  Ericka nodded.

  At least he’d come for that. But there wasn’t a game, it was practice or so she thought. However, the younger team they were up against looked extremely serious as they entered the dugout. And their cheerleaders were in attendance, which was even crazier.

  “Greg…”

  “I know. I see them.” Greg began moving toward Bagger, but there was no need. Bagger came to them.

  “This is the first scrimmage of the season. We help the high school team practice and in turn they help us hone our skills.”

  “We’re playing the high school team, not watching a practice?” Ericka couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.

  “I thought you knew that.”

  Ericka shook her head.

  “Well, now you do. So, suit up.” Bagger thrust a bag toward them with no sympathy.

  Ericka opened it and pulled out uniform T-shirts for each of them. The kids in the opposite dugout were gritting their teeth and spitting in the dirt. Ill prepared. That’s how she felt. Ill prepared.

  Quinn’s breath struck her neck as he leaned close and whispered, “What is happening?”

  “I think we’re about to play baseball.”

  “Talk about a curveball,” Quinn mouthed from the corner of his flat lips.

  From where she wasn’t even sure, Tristan and Fanny appeared.

  “We’re here to help you guys out.” Tristan grabbed a shirt. “Do not take this as an acceptance of this intolerable situation.”

  Maggie grinned. “I wouldn’t dare.” Then she leaned up on tiptoe and planted a chaste kiss on Tristan’s cheek. “I’m glad you decided not to get on the plane yet.”

  “Humph.”

  Fanny whispered to Quinn as she grabbed her shirt. When she faced them, she looked disappointed. Ericka had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Let’s play ball!” The fully garbed umpire shouted and pulled down his mask.

  “Wait, who are these people?”

  Greg answered first. “Our team.”

  “Since you won’t really be on the police team after this little debacle, I guess it doesn’t matter.” Bagger moved away, and when he returned, he handed Greg a bat. “We’re up to bat first.”

  “Do you think that’s fair?”

  Bagger cocked one brow. Apparently, he didn’t think they could hold their own. He hadn’t even seen one hit and already he questioned.

  Ericka would admit that she didn’t know the lingo or jargon of baseball, but she knew how to hit and run. In her opinion that was all that mattered. This game might prove her wrong, but she would wait and see.

  Greg stepped up to bat. He tapped his shoe, he tapped the plate, he stuck his butt out and wiggled. She wouldn’t be doing all that.

  October Williams stood on the pitcher’s mound. He wound up his arm and let the ball fly. It zipped past Greg so fast it looked like the wind from it lifted the tail of his shirt.

  Greg had sucked in his stomach right as it passed, or it might have hit him. He turned and narrowed his eyes at the kid. Williams shrugged his shoulder like it was an accident, but Ericka didn’t think so, and—she could tell from his narrowed eyes—neither did Greg.

  “Watch it, Williams.” The umpire obviously noticed as well.

  “No problem, Ump.”

  The catcher on the mound threw back the ball. October went for the wind up again. This time it was farther out. If Greg had tried to hit it, then it would have only touched the tip of his bat.

  “Ball!”

  “Ump! That was a great throw.” The coach for the teens stalked out onto the field. He threw his hat to the ground followed by a big wad of spit, which barely missed his hat. When he finished, he said, “How did I do? Did I act like Coach?”

  “You did great. Just wait a little longer before coming out to the field. He doesn’t get quite so upset so quickly.”

  Ericka blinked.

  Bagger said, “Max is the drama teacher at school. Coach Denton didn’t have time to come to the game, so he agreed to coach.”