Distortion Control (A Makayla Rose Mystery Book 3) by Audrey Claire Page A

family is here. You can use the support, and he’s a detective, which helps.”
    Spencer’s nostrils flared. He looked like he wanted to throttle me, but I would not back down. I approached the bars and laid my hands over his. I looked into his eyes, and pain constricted my heart. Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. Despite that, his expression softened because he must have seen my fear.
    “It’s okay, Makayla. This isn’t your fault. Where is Ash?”
    I tensed. “I don’t know. I texted him, but he hasn’t answered yet. I’m guessing he’s following a lead.”
    For long moments Spencer and I stared into each other’s eyes. I had fallen for him against my better judgment, but I also had my doubts about what he felt for me. He was attracted to me. Otherwise we wouldn’t have been lovers, but whether he cared more about his late wife than me might never come to light.
    Paul cleared his throat, and I snapped out of my reverie. I dropped my hands to my sides and took a few steps back from the bars. Paul pulled out his briefcase and removed a notepad from it. “What I need to know is if you’re going to accept me as your lawyer.”
    Spencer’s fingers squeaked on the bars. “Fine, but I’ll be the one paying you. If I even suspect you’re trying to screw me over, we’re going to have a serious problem.”
    Paul’s cold smile made me wonder how well this was going to go. He opened his briefcase once again and pulled out more papers to pass to Spencer. “I’ll let you get away with saying something like that this time .”
    Spencer glared.
    “Couple papers to sign,” Paul said. “What I need from you now is to tell me everything you know and everything that happened.”
    “Of course.”
    Paul looked at me. “And I need you to remember, Makayla.”
    Easier said than done.
    After a grueling session where Paul asked question after question, clarifying Spencer’s story—all with the tone of voice as if he scarcely believed it—he clicked his briefcase closed over pages of notes.
    “I’m going to question a few people and make some phone calls,” he said. “The first thing I’m going to do is get you released. I think because you were the sheriff, people panicked. Our citizens didn’t help the situation. It’s possible now that a few days have gone by, I can get the decision to deny you bail reversed. I can’t make any promises.”
    “I understand,” Spencer said.
    Paul nodded and walked toward the exit. I let him go, hesitating to leave Spencer’s presence. I expected him to encourage me to go, but when I approached the cage, he reached his hand out and I laid my palm in his.
    “Makayla, I have regrets.”
    “Regrets?” His wording amused me. “That’s how you describe ignoring me?”
    “I didn’t exactly ignore you,” he explained. “I was still considering my position.”
    “Your position?” I’m sure my expression added lots to the conversation. “You are very funny man, Sheriff.”
    “When I get out of here—”
    “No.”
    His eyes widened. “No?”
    “No,” I repeated. “Do you think Paul believes you’re innocent?”
    “I don’t know if he does or doesn’t. If he can get me out of here, I can take control of this investigation and get myself off. That is what’s important to me right now.”
    I turned to go, but he held onto my hand and gave it to squeeze. I turned back to face him. He drew me close, but I kept my head. “This isn’t the time, Spencer.”
    “I’ve had a lot of time to think while I was in here,” he said. “About you and about us and about Penelope.”
    “There is no us, Sheriff. I have to go. Be strong. It won’t be long.” I shuffled out the door before he could respond and rushed out to my car. I was being a coward, but that was all I could do at the moment.
     

Chapter Six
     
    When I still hadn’t heard from Ash, even though I had called him and texted him several times, I began to wonder just what was he up to. Was he