Page 7 of Diamonds in the Mud

When Wyatt came in half an hour later, he corroborated Clara’s story down to every last detail. He had the appearance of a grieving son, emotions that I was sure his brother would eventually reach. The fact that Wyatt was further along in the healing process didn’t surprise me. Wyatt had always been a few steps ahead of Beau in life.

After I had the immediate family interviews done, I knew there was one major loose end I had to tie up, so I took a stroll down the street to Sabrina DeRouen’s office at the local newspaper building.

“Got a sec?” I asked her when I knocked on her office door.

Her eyes narrowed and she nodded slowly at me.

“Good.” I smiled and moved to stand next to her. “Stand up, hands behind your back.” I pulled out my handcuffs.

“You are not doing this.” She groaned.

My smile grew. “Sure I am.” I waited.

She took a deep breath and then shook her head. “Why? For taking a picture?”

“You were on my crime scene moments after I arrived. I’d like to know why. For now, let’s call it trespassing. Oh, and bring the drive from that fancy camera you carry around.”

“You have my camera,” she pointed out.

“And you have the drive.” I held up the cuffs. “Coming?” I tilted my head and remained silent.

“Rayne,” she groaned.

“We can do this the hard way?” I wiggled the cuffs. “Or we can just take a little stroll. I seem to remember outdoing you on the mats last time we sparred. You’re still a brown belt?”

She narrowed her eyes. “I quit karate when we were thirteen.”

“Still.” I motioned for her to stand up and turn around.

“This is stupid.” She threw her hands up and stood, motioning for me to lead the way.

“Everything okay, Sabrina?” Larry, the editor of the paper, asked from the doorway.

“Just taking Sabrina in for a few questions,” I said cheerfully as I put my cuffs back in my pocket.

“You girls really should learn to get along again,” Larry said, shaking his head.

“This isn’t necessary,” Sabrina said as we walked down the sidewalk together.

“Sure it is. Do you know why?” I asked as I held the door to the station open for her.

“Why?” Sabrina asked.

“Because you embarrassed me by sneaking onto my crime scene,” I answered as I ushered her towards one of the interview rooms. “I’d like to know how you knew to be there.”

I motioned for her to get comfortable. When she sat down in the chair, I smiled and said, “I’ll be back.”

I walked out of the room, making sure the door was locked behind me, and grabbed a cup of coffee. I enjoyed every sip of the foul-tasting mug before walking back into the room half an hour later.

“You’re a child,” Sabrina said when I finally sat across from her.

“I need that camera drive,” I said in return.

“What drive?” Sabrina smiled.

I laughed.

Sabrina DeRouen was my best and worst enemy. I think we butted heads because we were so much alike. I appreciated her smarts, her wit, and her strength. I’m sure she felt the same about me.