Page 61 of Ancient Obsession

“Hello?”

A small gasp of relief bubbled out of him. “It’s me.”

“Oliver.” Dave’s voice cracked. In the background, Oliver heard several people talking. “How are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m in Glenmont. Just had my mug shot taken, so I get to check that off my bucket list.”

“Babe…”

“Are you okay?”

“Christ, don’t worry about me,” Dave said. “I’ve got the committee together at your grandmother’s place.”

Oliver laughed, but it came out thin and strained.

“Babe…” Dave whispered.

Oliver rushed to fill the space before the silence could break him completely. “I’m glad you’ve got everyone there.”

“We’ll get you out,” Dave said. “I’ve got names of criminal lawyers, and Dieter’s already started making calls.”

“Lucia told me a couple of names after she took me in, but I can’t remember them.”

“She’s here, I’ll ask her.”

“Two minutes,” Carter said.

Oliver cleared his throat. “I don’t have much longer. Dave…I love you.”

“God, babe, I love you, too. We’ll get through this. I’ll be over there as soon as possible tomorrow morning. And once we know how much bail will be, we’ll get that posted and get you home.”

“Christ, bail money. I can’t believe we’re talking about this just before our wedding.”

“One day at a time. One hour at a time if needed.”

“Yeah, I know.”

Carter moved closer, stern expression softening slightly. “Time’s up.”

“I have to go. I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

They said goodbyes, and Oliver hung up the phone. He wiped his eyes, glancing at the detective. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” Carter said. “Just following the law. Come on.”

Carter walked him to an interview room and left him there on his own. He stared at the walls and shifted in the uncomfortable chair. He put his head on his arms. It felt like hours passed. Would they leave him in there all night? Was this what passed for a jail cell in Glenmont?

He thought about Dave, tried to remember his face, but his brain was tired and all he could come up with was his soft beard and brown eyes. Oliver counted his breaths. Arraignment within forty-eight hours. Bail posted, if Dave was able to get the money together. Each step in the process helped steady him. There had to have been some kind of evidence for a judge to have signed the arrest warrant, but what? What had they found that had brought him to this point? Now they would be able to question him for as long as they deemed necessary, then place him in a holding cell.

How had things become so goddamn complicated? And dangerous? Three people were dead. Three people he’d personally met, and shared an amazing experience with, all brutally murdered. He didn’t know the specifics around poor, nervous Vera’s death, but since he was currently being held as a person of interest, he had to assume it was similar to what happened to Lucien and Dominic. And where was Samira? Had she been murdered as well and her body simply not found?

It had to be the mummy committing the murders, but why? Where was it hiding between the attacks? And most importantly of all, how could it be stopped?

The door opened. Oliver lifted his head, blinking against the light. Carter dropped several case files on the tabletop and flopped into the seat across from him, the chair creaking under him. He folded his hands over his stomach and watched him.

“I didn’t do it,” Oliver said. “I didn’t do any of it.”