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Then,she spotted him again.
In thedim light of the ancient Egypt exhibit, Fiona finally cornered Dave. He stoodwith his back against a life-sized stone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II, hiseyes wide and wild as they darted between her and the only exit.
"Gotyou now," she said, trying to keep her voice steady despite the adrenalinecoursing through her veins.
Dave'sgaze flickered over her body, and Fiona knew what he was looking for. Her heartsank as she realized he could see she wasn't armed. The knowledge seemed toembolden him; his posture straightened, and his eyes gleamed with newfoundconfidence.
"Lookslike you're not packing heat," he taunted, his voice dripping with malice."What are you going to do now?"
Fiona'smind raced, searching for an answer that eluded her. She knew she couldn't riskletting him go, but without a weapon, she was severely disadvantaged.
"Thinkyou can take me, sweetheart?" Dave sneered, flexing his wiry arms in anattempt to intimidate her. It might have worked on someone else, but Fionarefused to let him see any sign of weakness
"Ican," she spat, taking a step toward him. Sensing the shift in dynamics,Dave hesitated, clearly weighing his options.
Justthen, a door burst open, and Jake swooped in, his gun drawn and leveled atDave's head. Fiona breathed out a sigh of relief. She stood tall beside herpartner, offering him a small nod of gratitude. Dave's hands shot up.
"Goodtiming," she murmured, her voice barely audible even to herself.
"Alwaysgot your back," he replied with a wink, then focused on Dave.
"D-don'tshoot!" Dave exclaimed. "I didn't do anything, I swear!"
Jake'seyes narrowed as he approached Dave, his gun still trained on the suspect'shead. "Save it for the judge," he growled, his voice low andmenacing.
Fionawatched in awe as her partner expertly handcuffed Dave, her heart stillpounding from the adrenaline rush of the chase. But she also couldn't help butthink about how dangerous that could have gotten for her. She really did needto get her gun and badge.
"Youhave the right to remain silent," Jake recited, his voice steady andauthoritative. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in acourt of law. You have the right to an attorney—"
Fionatuned out the familiar words, allowing herself a moment to relax. Dave had beencaught, and no one else would have to get hurt because of him.
"Comeon," Jake said, pulling her from her reverie as he led Dave away."Let's get this bastard booked."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Fionastood in the dimly lit interrogation room, her arms crossed over her chest asshe studied the suspect before her. Dave sat nervously on the other side of themetal table. His darting eyes shifted from Fiona to Jake, who leaned against thewall beside the door, his face impassive.
"Let'sstart from the beginning," Fiona said, her tone cool and detached."Tell us where you're from and how you ended up working for the entomologyexhibit."
Davehesitated, swallowing hard before he spoke. "I'm from a small town inupstate New York," he began, his voice shaky. "I've always had apassion for insects, so when I heard about the traveling exhibit, it seemedlike the perfect opportunity."
"Anopportunity for what?" Jake interjected, pushing himself away from thewall and taking a step toward the table. "To kill?"
"Look,I'm not a killer," Dave insisted, his voice rising in pitch. "I justlove bugs, okay? I don't know anything about this murder."
"Thenwhy did you run when we tried to question you?" Fiona asked, her eyesnarrowing as she watched him closely. She had seen plenty of guilty suspects inher time, and something about Dave's demeanor reminded her of them. No onewould run like that if they didn't have something to hide.
"I-Ipanicked," Dave stammered, looking down at his hands. "I saw you twocoming towards me, and I just freaked out. I didn't know what you wanted, and Iguess I thought maybe you were going to accuse me of something."
"Likemurder?" Jake suggested, his tone mocking.
"Look,I'm not a bad person," Dave pleaded, his eyes meeting Fiona's. "Iswear I didn't kill anyone. You have to believe me."
"Believingyou isn't our job," Fiona replied, her voice devoid of emotion. "Ourjob is to find out the truth."
"Whichwe will," Jake added, glancing at Fiona, a determined gleam in his eyes.
Fionacouldn't help but wonder what Dave was hiding. His desperation seemed genuine,but he matched the description of the possible killer too closely to ignore.
