Page 58 of Hell Hath No Fury

“Yep.”

“Having an argument with someone in a public place doesn’t constitute probable cause, does it?”

“Not by itself, no.”

“Well, then?”

Matthias pinched the bridge of his nose. “According to Eric, he was driving back to his office when a cop pulled him over and asked if it would be okay to search the car.”

Emma shrank. “Don’t tell me he gave them permission?”

Matthias replied with a sigh.

“Oh no. What… what did they…” Her voice trailed off.

“A trash bag. Eric insists it wasn’t his. He had no idea how it got there or what was in it, and the police didn’t tell him, but apparently it was enough to convince a judge to sign an arrest warrant.”

“Someone had to plant it there.”

Matthias had no words to comfort her. Someone. Who? And how? The easiest answer was that Eric was indeed guilty, but was Eric stupid enough to allow a search of his car if he knew there was evidence in the trunk? Matthias strongly doubted it.

Tears gleamed on her lashes. She looked exhausted. Beaten. Matthias checked his watch and realized they’d missed lunch. “Let’s get something to eat. Then I’ll drop you off at the hotel, and I’ll track down Fergusson to find out what they’ve got.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Starving yourself won’t help anyone.” He tipped his head toward her. “None of this is going to be resolved in a few hours. We have to brace ourselves for a marathon, not a sprint.”

She held his gaze for a few more seconds, then let her head drop back against the seat. “I know you’re right. I’m still not hungry, but I’ll try to eat a little.”

* * *

Matthias couldn’t convince Emma to go inside a restaurant to dine, but she agreed on getting Mexican takeout from the place next door to the hotel. They ate in the room before he wrangled a promise from her to lay down and take a nap.

He didn’t call Fergusson until he was back in the Jeep.

“Give it a rest, Honeywell,” was the trooper’s response to Matthias’s request for information. “You might not believe it, but we’re pretty good at what we do.”

“I’m not arguing that fact. I want to know what evidence you found that justifies arresting Eric Baker.” Before Fergusson could shut him down again, Matthias added, “I also thought you might want to know what we found out about Nell Anderson’s whereabouts.”

“Where is she?”

Matthias smiled to himself. The bait had worked. “Let’s meet and talk about it.”

Fifteen minutes later, Matthias stood in front of the Pub on Main for the second time that day.

Was it still Monday? God, it felt like a week had passed.

Fergusson and Lukan came around the corner. “Let’s keep this meeting short,” Fergusson said as they approached. “I’d like to get home at a decent hour.” He looked smug. “Especially since we’ve got this case wrapped up with a bow.”

“Or you’re trying too hard,” Matthias said. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

From Fergusson’s dark expression, Matthias knew he was on the verge of pushing the trooper too far. But Matthias wasn’t going to apologize.

The potential to learn more about Nell Anderson apparently overpowered Fergusson’s irritation. He led the way inside.

The hostess appeared and guided them to a corner table with a clear view of the front door and offered them menus. Fergusson and Lukan accepted. Matthias held up a palm. “I already ate, but I’ll take a beer. A local ale.” He gave her a smile. “You choose.”

She blushed. “Will do.”