Page 82 of Property of Whiskey

“And I keep not believing you.”

“That’s your problem.”

“It becomes yours when I arrest you.”

“You’re chained to my mama’s basement post.”

“Temporary setback.”

His mouth twitches.

I hate that too.

“Why all the secrecy if you’re innocent?”

“Because secrecy and guilt ain’t the same fucking thing.”

That sits between us.

I look away first. Not because he wins. Because the bastard has a point, and I resent it.

“Why kidnap me?”

“Already explained.”

“No. You said people knew I was asking questions.”

“They do.”

“So?”

The humor drains from his face. “So somebody watched you.”

I study him. “Who?”

“Don’t know.”

“Convenient.”

“Quit saying convenient like I built the fucking situation.”

“You expect me to believe Pearly Gates has people tracking county deputies?”

“I expect you to believe the man you questioned this morning wasn’t scared of me.”

My stomach tightens.

“You don’t know a lot for somebody kidnapping people over it.”

“Know enough.”

“What?”

“That your name got back to Pearly Gates after you started asking questions.”

“How?”

“Source.”