Page 92 of When He Plays

“You’re cleared. I don’t think that any longer. You have an alibi for the latest attack.”

Latest attack. “What attack?”

Sebastian’s lips thinned.

“And what alibi are you talking about?” The US marshal needed to be a whole lot chattier. Maybe he should just shoot Sebastian in the knee to speed that chatty process along. He aimed the gun.

“Wait! Wait! You were nearly being murdered by Morris when the last victim was taken, all right? So you are clear. You were caught on camera so it couldn’t have been you. Real proof of your innocence. You were on the street cam and then you spent hours being interviewed by the cops. You have an alibi. That’s why I’m here, talking to you. You didn’t do it. You didn’t take the latest victim. You don’t have her hidden some place where you plan to torture her⁠—”

Footsteps rushed across the room. “He’s legit!” Charlotte announced. “Don’t shoot him.”

The faint lines near Sebastian’s mouth deepened. “See? I’m legit.” His nostrils flared. “Lower the gun.”

“Who is the victim that was taken?” Logan demanded. He kept the gun pointed at Sebastian’s knee.

“What victim?” Charlotte stopped right at Logan’s side. “What did I miss?”

“Sebastian thought I was the serial killer.”

She frowned. “You’re not.” Her head turned toward Sebastian. “He’s not. Didn’t we cover this before I left?”

“Who the hell are you, lady?” Sebastian exploded. “Who just verified my identity for you?”

Logan stiffened. “Don’t yell at her. And she’s my wife. Though I’ve said that enough times that you should know it by now.”

“Fine. She’s married to your crazy ass. Happy?”

Did he look happy? Logan didn’t think so. He was certain he wasn’t wearing his happy face. More like his I-want-to-rip-people-apart face.

“What is she?” Sebastian pushed. “A Fed? Part of the Vegas PD? Is she⁠—”

“You don’t need to know anything else about her.” He’d meant it when he said that he would not reveal his wife’s secrets.

“Logan.” Charlotte cleared her throat. “I’m worried your finger is getting twitchy. I think we all should take a beat, and then someone needs to tell me what you two discussed while I was making that important phone call.”

She’d changed into normal clothing. Good. He hadn’t wanted Sebastian gawking at her. Now Charlotte wore jeans and a soft, white t-shirt. White tennis shoes. Her hair was mostly dry. Still no make up. Still freaking gorgeous.

But she wanted to know what he’d discussed while she’d been gone, so… “The marshal had me at the top of his suspect list, but he says another vic was taken. Taken around the time Morris tried to kill me, and the cops were grilling me. So, as crazy as it sounds, Morris gave me an alibi. If he weren’t dead, maybe I’d thank the creep.”

She took the gun from him. Tucked it in the back waistband of her jeans.

Logan and Charlotte both faced off with Sebastian.

“I was in the kitchen area of your hotel,” Sebastian stated, voice thick, “I was in the staff area because I was investigating. I wasn’t drugging anyone. But that is his MO. The killer we are after? It’s what he does. He drugs his vics so that he can control them. I think that’s exactly what he did…” A pause. He swallowed. Then finished, “I think that’s what he did with Harper.”

Harper.

“Harper Channing,” Sebastian seemed to force out her name. “Her brother was on my suspect list, too.”

Apparently, the marshals and the CIA had a few of the same men lined up as potential perps. The two agencies could have saved some time if they’d actually shared intel.

“I was trying to get close to Harper because I thought she’d give me a pass to him.” Sebastian’s hands clenched at his sides. “I took her back to her hotel after I left your poker game. I walked Harper to her door.” A long, shuddering exhale. “I thought she was safe. I left her there. I didn’t look back. I had more leads to track down. I turned my back on her, and I left and then⁠—”

“Then she didn’t show up at the game Ares arranged,” Logan finished.

A jerky nod from Sebastian.

“You tore out of the game right after that,” Logan remembered. Sebastian hadn’t been able to leave fast enough.