The Eligible Suspect Read Free

it. Damen was the only person he knew who could do that.
    “Can anyone confirm you were home all night?” The detective ignored his claims, the raisin creases of his forehead deepening as he fixed impassive eyes on him.
    “No.”
    “Has Ms. Hamilton ever filed charges against this Mr. Ricchetti?”
    “Not that I’m aware of. She told me he threatened to kill her. She’s afraid of him.”
    “And since you’re such a nice guy you agreed to help her?”
    Korbin didn’t respond to that, but his fear for Collette’s safety was another matter. “Please. Either let me go so I can check on her, or have someone go check on her for me. Damen might have hurt her.” He should never have let her go back to her house alone. He should have stayed with her and taken her home with him.
    “If you’re so worried about her, why didn’t you notify the police after she came to you?”
    In Korbin’s line of work, going to the police was never an option. He hadn’t even considered it when he’d met Collette. “I guess I thought she should be the one to do that.” And he hadn’t thought she’d be in too much danger.
    The detective sighed and leaned back against the chair. He studied Korbin a while, not believing him.
    “Witnesses got your plate number after the hit-and-run. We found the car abandoned not far from the scene.”
    “It wasn’t me driving.”
    “They described a man who looks like you.”
    Damen had dark hair but wasn’t as tall. Three inches shorter.
    “Wasn’t it dark at 2:21 in the morning?” Korbin asked.
    The detective didn’t respond. He had to realize that would make a difference. No one could positively identify him without any doubt.
    Another detective entered the room and motioned for the other to come to him. He did and listened to the man. Korbin couldn’t make out what was being said.
    A moment later, the other man left and the detective returned to his seat.
    “There’s no evidence of a break-in at your home, Mr. Maguire.” He looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
    Korbin had none.
    “Your security system is operational. There’s nothing broken. No fingerprints.”
    Damen must have found a way inside. Copied a key. Taken a garage door opener. Something.
    “Why don’t you tell me what really happened?” the detective said.
    “I have. I didn’t kill anyone. My car was stolen and I think it was Damen who did it.”
    “Why would he do that?”
    He couldn’t say it was because he’d refused an illegal hacker job. “He must have seen me meet with his girlfriend.” That had to be it. Korbin hadn’t looked closely on his way inside. It was only after he’d realized Damen was becoming violent that he’d paid more attention. Damen could have seen him go inside to meet Collette. He may have even sneaked inside. Spied on them.
    “And in a jealous rage, stole your car and deliberately ran a stranger over so you’d be charged?”
    “Yes. Check the car for evidence that he was in it.” Damen would have worn gloves but maybe there’d be other evidence.
    “He’s your friend. He could have been in the car before this.”
    “I wasn’t driving the car. It wasn’t me.”
    The detective didn’t respond. No one would believe he wasn’t the one driving his car. But the detective began to show signs of doubt. Or maybe he just didn’t have enough on him yet. The evidence hadn’t been fully analyzed. Korbin now had a taste of what it was like to be falsely accused. At all costs, he had to prove his innocence, or Damen would have his way and Korbin would spend time in prison.
    * * *
    Korbin was released on his own recognizance and was out by late afternoon. He was worried sick about Collette. He took a taxi home to get his phone and saw that she hadn’t called—not even when he hadn’t shown up at the Laughing Grass this morning. She wasn’t answering her phone, either. He tried calling Damen but he didn’t answer. Where was Collette? Was she all right?
    Parking his truck