I glance over at Preacher and catch the negative shake of his head.
“N-No.”
“Did I hear my partner’s name?” A dark-haired man with deep blue eyes and a round face opens an office door.
“Yeah, Jimmy.” The stocky guy with a blondish brown buzz cut nods from his position behind the front desk.
“I’m Officer Barnes. I can assist you.”
I shift my weight and nod, following the middle-aged officer down the hall into the third room on the left. The white walls are bare, and a long, black table with black office chairs dominates the space. A small, green filing cabinet sits in the corner on the left. It’s not an interrogation room but too close for comfort.
“Have a seat.” He gestures to the chairs and sits at the head of the table. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee or water?”
I shake my head. “No. Thank you.”
“I’ll be straight with you. I know exactly who you are, Rian Banks.”
I stiffen. “How?”
“We’ve turned the Banks Funeral Home inside and out since the shooting in the alley, and you’re the one family member who’s remained unavailable. We knew something was wrong when your phone wasn’t online to be traced.”
“Ahhh.” I relax. Everything he says makes sense.
“You want to tell me what actually happened?”
“I came in late to catch up with some paperwork and ensure things were clean. It’s one of those jobs where you’re never really off work. Because death doesn’t care about your plans or what you have going on in life.”
Officer Barnes nods. “Believe me, I understand that.”
I nod and clear my throat. “I heard a vehicle pull up in the alley, which was weird because I hadn’t received a call to let me know any bodies would be arriving. I peered out the window and saw a dark car with black windows I didn’t recognize parked in the alley. I was stunned when the door opened, and Councilman Bane climbed out. I didn’t know what to think.” My voice wavers as the scene replays in my mind. “Then a red and black motorcycle pulled up behind it. A man climbed off. He removed his helmet, and I saw Flint Creed.”
Barnes frowns. “Are you sure about that?” He tilts his head.
“Yes. I know who he is.”
“It’d be easy to mix him up with one of the Sinners’ members, don’t you think? Same leather vests. I’m sorry, cuts.” His tone is mocking, and his facial expression sharpens into something nasty.
“Their colors are completely different,” I whisper.
“And you’d know because your father is pretty damn chummy with them, isn’t he?”
“Excuse me?” I shift in my chair, thrown by his sudden hostility. “We know a lot of people from different walks of life. Death doesn’t discriminate.”
Barnes nods. “Sinners are a well-known name around these parts. But things change. So I’m asking you if you want to rethink your statement.”
“I don’t.” I double down.
He clicks his tongue. “I’m in a good mood, so I’m doing you a favor. I’ll give you a day to think that decision over.” He doesn’t want the truth documented.
I stand up, and the chair scrapes over the concrete. “I need to go to the bathroom,” I croak.
Narrowing his eyes, he stands and moves to open the door. “It’s the second door on the right.”
As I walk the short distance, I feel his eyes burning into my back. We walked right into a trap. Barnes might’ve been safe once, but clearly, he’d gone over to the dark side when they weren’t looking. Moving into a stall, I go through the motions, giving myself time to process and calm the heart knocking in my chest. I’m not going back into that room when I leave the restroom. With my mind made up, I rise and move to the sink to wash my hand. Drying them with the rough, brown paper towels, I push the door open and step into the hallway. Eyes fixed on the front door, I move swiftly.
“Rian. To your right.”
Following Preacher’s frantic directions, I scream as a woman rushes toward me, blade extended.