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“No, but we’ve had a hit on some fingerprints,” Officer Anderson informs me.
“From the cabin?”
Officer Fulton replies before he can say any more. “When we collected the evidence from your front door, you assured us that neither you nor Ms. Barnes had touched it, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Not the knife or the paper?” he presses.
“No, all I did was take a picture in case it fell or blew away before you arrived. No one touched it.”
Officer Fulton glances over at his partner with a satisfied smirk. “Two clear fingerprints were found on the handle of the knife. Both belong to Calli Barnes.”
He seems to think he’s dropped some huge bombshell and stares at me while I search my memory of that night again. She didn’t touch that knife. She reached for it, but I caught her hand. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“How long have you known Ms. Barnes?” Officer Anderson asks.
His tone is diplomatic—unlike Fulton’s—but I don’t like where this is going. “Since June. What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“Wise up, Mr. Shaw,” Officer Fulton blurts. “Your little neighbor girlfriend is playing you. I’d bet every dollar I have that we’ll find her name, or someone associated with her on that account. She found out you had money and is playing the damselin distress while you protect her. Has she suggested you just send the money yet?”
I’m sure they judge my silence as shock, but it’s rage that I’m trying to suppress. “Calli had nothing to do with this. Have you even looked into Chris Handleman or Carl Becker? Called to see if his parole officer ever heard from him? Figured out what cars they might be driving or if they’re in our area? You haven’t tracked the account number. Have you done anything that even comes close to helping us or are you only here to accuse her?”
Fulton is on his feet, his fat cheeks growing pink. “You don’t get to tell us how to do our jobs. We’re asking the questions.”
“Not anymore. We’re done. You’re clearly not interested in figuring out who is targeting us, only in trying to pass the blame to an easy target. I will not be answering any more questions without a lawyer and I can assure you Calli won’t either.” She’s going to be devastated to find out nothing is being done. We’re on our own.
Officer Anderson intervenes, also rising to stand. “We aren’t here to make accusations. Your fingerprints and Ms. Barnes were collected to differentiate your prints from any that couldn’t be explained. You claim she didn’t touch the knife, but her prints say otherwise. Can you offer an explanation for that?”
“No, but considering her net worth is higher than mine, I sure as fuck don’t believe she’s after my money.”
That revelation seems to catch them both off guard. Of course, Calli doesn’t present herself like she has money. Her car is new, but it’s a mid-range sedan. Nothing fancy. She rents a cabin instead of owning a home and doesn’t dress in designer clothes or flaunt any kind of expensive jewelry or belongings.
Fulton narrows his eyes at me, doubt permeating his statement. “You’re a multi-millionaire.”
Officer Anderson interrupts again. “Do you have a reason to believe she has comparable wealth?”
“Yes. She told me.”
Fulton laughs and shakes his head as Calli appears in the doorway behind him. Her hair is mussed and she’s still wearing the pajama pants and camisole she slept in.
“What’s going on?”
I hold up my hand before the officers can speak. “Don’t answer any questions. You need a lawyer.”
Her brow furrows. “What? Why?”
“You claimed that you never touched that knife in the door, correct, Calli?” Officer Fulton demands, facing her and crossing his arms.
Her puzzled gaze bounces from me to the officer a couple of times, and I can see anger bloom in her eyes. “Yes, that’s correct,Chester.”
“It’s Officer Fulton,” he replies through gritted teeth.
“And I’m Ms. Barnes.” Calli stands firm and returns his glare, refusing to be intimidated.
“Your fingerprints were found on the knife,” Officer Anderson tells her. It seems like the tension is getting to him. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“That’s impossible.” Calli blinks multiple times, looking at the floor while she ponders what she’s just been told.
