Page 23 of Diamonds in the Mud

“Can you confirm whether there are any suspects or persons of interest in custody related to the murder?” the man asked.

“As I mentioned in my statement,” I started, trying desperately not to sound annoyed at the question, “at this time we are looking into several different suspects. No one is in custody at this time.” I motioned to the next hand raised.

“Can you comment on any potential motives or theories that your team is exploring in connection with the murder?” the woman asked.

“At this time we are exploring several potential motives,” I reiterated, sounding one hundred percent annoyed. Didn’t they listen to my statement? It was as if the media were nothing more than children.

Finally, Sabrina was the last to have her hand raised, so I called on her.

“Is it true that Mayor Taylor was being investigated by the State Attorney General’s Office for public corruption and embezzling?” Sabrina asked with a smirk.

Damn it. How in the hell had she gotten wind of that? I had only just found that out earlier that morning.

“No further questions at this time,” I said into the mic. I turned on my heeled boots and started marching through the rain.

“Rayne,” Sabrina called after me.

“Go away,” I called over my shoulder.

“I can help you,” she said, catching up with me.

“Go away,” I said after stopping and turning to square up with her.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “I’m sorry about posting the picture,” she blurted out. I let my shoulders relax. “You know, you and I used to be friends.”

“Used to be.”

“Rayne.” She reached up and touched my arm. “I heard Edith is doing well through her chemo,” she said, a little softer.

I jerked my arm away from hers. “She’s a fighter. How did you find out about the attorney general?”

She sighed and then her smile grew. “I have sources.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Are you still dating what’s his name?”

She shook her head. “Nope, I have a new guy in my life.” Her smile doubled. “A little more local.”

“Stay clear of me during this, Sabrina,” I warned. “Let me do my job.”

“Let me do mine,” she threw back, lifting her chin.

I closed my eyes. “How about a truce?” I suggested.

“Go on.” Sabrina waited.

“If you let me in on any new details you happen to hear before me, I’ll call you first when I haul the killer in,” I suggested.

Sabrina’s left eyebrow arched slightly, then she nodded slowly.

As I turned to go, she held my arm.

“You might want to check into Mr. Taylor’s girlfriend,” she said. “She has a few other… side hustles.”

With this, she dropped her hold on my arm and marched away quickly.

Shit. How in the hell did that woman know what was on my to-do list?

Feeling pissed, I jumped into my patrol car and headed across town. When I pulled into the parking lot of Bayou Brews, I glanced at my watch and winced. They wouldn’t be open at nine in the morning.