25. Paxton

CHAPTER 25

Paxton

Here we go.

This was not the way I wanted to start my Monday morning after the best weekend of my life. I mentally shake out my nerves as I stare at the Texas Ranger seated across the table. Martinez. He questioned me right after Kali was found.

“So, you got the girl?” he starts. I can appreciate the no-bullshit rhetoric even though my entire insides are on fire. It’s weird being on this side. I wouldn’t suggest it. “Was that your plan all along? What do they call it? The Hero Syndrome?”

“What are you talking about?” I respond, maintaining a neutral tone and holding his gaze. When the Texas Rangers called me this morning, needing to ask me a few questions, I knew it was about her. They’re just doing their due diligence. However, when my captain joined us, I sensed this was more.

They know something.

I can feel it hanging over my head.

“C’mon,” he says. “You’re a cop. According to your record, a damn good one. So, you know this looks bad.”

I sit forward, resting my arms on the cold metal table, and lock eyes with him. “I never planned on having a relationship with Kali. It just happened. Internal Affairs didn’t find a problem with it, and last I checked, it’s not a crime. We didn’t even talk until a couple months after it happened.”

“You told the officer at the scene that was the first time you’d ever seen Kali.”

I nod, but a shiver runs down my back. I told my grams I’d deal with this when it happened…and it’s happening.

He sighs in disappointment, confirming my thoughts. Opening a folder, he pulls out a picture and slides it in front of me. I force my eyes to not look away, force my breathing to stay slow and steady.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“That would be a picture of my Jeep,” I reply matter-of-factly. My insides twist as I notice where my Jeep is at. I was hoping this incident would’ve been forgotten, considering the officer had no reason to document our interaction. Especially after I showed him my badge. I was just parked in a parking lot.

“We also have a record of a phone call you received,” he adds.

I know what call he’s referring to. It was from the chief, wanting an update on the case. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have answered it.

“When you were in the same restaurant where Kali worked.”

My jaw clenches.

“Funny thing about small towns, people see everything. You can’t wipe your ass without someone knowing you took a shit. You visited that town more than once. At least two other times. And you don’t have an alibi for the night Kali disappeared.”

He pulls out another photo and taps his finger against it. A sharp pain pinches in my chest. I haven’t seen that picture in years, and I would be happy if I never saw it again.

He continues. “I could understand if you wanted revenge.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, staring at the photo. He has no idea what I want.

“What I don’t understand is what’s your plan now that you’re with her? Do you plan on finishing the job?”

What the actual fuck?

I shoot a hard stare at my boss, needing to get out of here and explain to Kali before she hears this from them and forms an opinion without knowing the other half of the story, if they haven’t already. “Are you arresting me?”

Martinez replies, “Not yet. But we have a warrant to search your properties. I suggest you don’t leave town.”

“Paxton,” my boss pleads. “I know you didn’t do it. Help us help you.”

What the hell is this cliché bullshit? I realize this looks bad, so I’m not saying anything. Not without my attorney.

When I don’t respond, he follows up with a resigned sigh. “We’re going to need your badge and gun while the investigation is ongoing.”

“I didn’t do it,” I blurt out when I realize I’m up shit’s creek. “There is no way I could’ve made it from my ranch and been to work by five thirty if Kali was buried around four in the morning. And I didn’t lie. When the officer asked me, I didn’t recognize her. It wasn’t until I visited the hospital that I figured out who she was.”

Total lie.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

I throw my hands up. “’Cause of this, right here.”

“Why did you go to Blackburn twice?”

Because one time wasn’t enough. Yes, I searched for her. I needed to find the girl left behind. When the case I was working on landed me in the neighboring town, I couldn’t help but stop in. Her life was simple. I imagined her paycheck was just enough to put food on the table and a roof over her head. The tattered tennis shoes had seen their day. Her natural dark lashes were exceptionally long, her face was without a trace of makeup, except for ChapStick. I only knew that because I saw her put it on. I wondered if she tasted like strawberry or cherry.

That was the beginning of my obsession.

I shrug. “Curiosity.” It’s as simple as that.

My captain curses under his breath, irritated with my answer. “Goddammit, Paxton, you’re not making this easy!” he yells, slamming his palms down on the table.

They just wouldn’t understand.

“Search everything. You won’t find anything because I didn’t do it.”

He stands tall, scrubbing his chin, his face a deep shade of red. I’ve never seen him this mad. “Until you’re cleared, we’re placing you on administrative leave. Riggs will be assigned to Liam for the time being.”

“You’re taking Riggs?” I roar. This is ridiculous. I saved a woman. Fueled by anger, I slam my gun and badge on the table, well aware they have me pinned in a corner. The chair scrapes against the cement floor as I push back to stand. I start to walk away, but then the anger stops me, and I whip back around. “You say that everyone knows everything that happens in Blackburn, so why haven’t you found out who really buried Kali?”

His stare hardens, and his mouth thins with displeasure. “We’re working on it.”

No, they’re wasting their time trying to pin this on me. Fuck this. I spin on my heels and take long strides to the door.

“Oh and, Officer Turner? Stay away from Kali Stevens.”

Fuck you.

That will not happen.

“If you refuse,” Martinez warns, stopping me as I grip the handle in my hand.

I clench my teeth and wait for his threat.

“Well, let’s just say that Ms. Stevens might learn that it was her father that killed your brother.”