Double down, p.23
Double Down, page 23
Dela nodded. “You did what you needed to keep you and your family safe. I’m glad we were able to find enough evidence to have a suspicion of Jones.” She reached out across the table, putting her hand over his. “I also believe he killed your sister.”
Levi’s eyes widened. “How?”
She glanced at Heath. He gave a slight shake of his head. She understood. The dark side of Lora didn’t need to come out. Levi’s friend had kept it from him this long there was no need to bring it up. “Just through the leads we followed. I want you and your family to mourn her loss and then move on now that Jones can no longer cause anyone harm.”
Quinn’s phone rang, he glanced at the number and said, “This interview ended at...” He stated the time and turned off the recording. “It’s Shaffer, I’ll take it in another room.”
After Quinn left, Heath stood. He motioned for Dela to stand as well. “Levi, you are free to go. You were under duress when you didn’t tell the truth and evaded us. I don’t see why we should punish you any more than I’m sure you have punished yourself.”
“Thank you! I’ll call my grandmother and see if she needs a ride home.” Levi exited the room.
Heath faced her. “How does it feel to be exonerated?”
“Good and sad. So many people were hurt or frightened by one nasty cop. I hope you and Chief Steele do a better job of recruiting help than whoever gave Jones a job here.” She peered up into Heath’s face. The muscle along his cheek was twitching. “Something is bothering you.”
“Yeah, that Jones did so much damage. It’s going to take as long as he was a tribal policeman to undo all the distrust and fear he spread here.”
Dela put a hand on his arm. “You, Jacob, and the rest of the tribal police can prove to the Umatilla you want to help, not hurt them.” She smiled up at him.
The door opened and Quinn strode in. “Shaffer finally got Mrs. Swan’s statement. She said all the same things that Levi told us. Dela didn’t kill Paul and Detective Jones was threatening to kill her family if she didn’t lie. When Jones doubled down and tried to ruin you and Mr. Sander’s drug business, he underestimated you.”
Dela’s phone rang. It was Bernie Moon. She smiled. “Someone else underestimated me too.” She walked to the door, answering her phone. “Hello, Bernie, did you hear who really killed Paul Winter?”
The man cleared his voice as Dela headed out of the public safety building. It was ironic that a building that sounded so inviting had housed such a mean malicious man.
“I heard from Chief Steele that they found the person responsible. Now Dela, I never thought for a minute that you would kill someone...” he continued talking and Dela’s mind drifted to the blood stain on her bed. She was going to have to buy a new bed frame, mattress, blankets, and sheets.
“...Well, can you?”
She shook herself. “I’m sorry, can I what?”
There was a pause. “Is this your way of getting back at me?”
“No, I’m sorry, my mind drifted.”
“Oh, then maybe you aren’t ready to come back to work tonight.” His voice trailed off.
“Tonight? I’ll be there. I’m tired of twiddling my thumbs.” She hung up and smiled as Heath jogged out of the building.
“Want to go to dinner tonight and celebrate?” he asked.
“I can’t. Bernie wants me to come back to work tonight.” She hugged Heath. “But I’d love it if the bed in my room right now was gone so you and I can go bed shopping tomorrow.”
A grin spread across his face. “Does this mean we are shopping for one bed?”
“Maybe.” She kissed his lips and slid into her car. Her future was looking brighter every day. She pulled out her phone to tell Molly she’d be by to drop Mugshot off and change into her security uniform, and the photo Jones tossed on her bed floated out.
She studied it. He looked like her. But what was he in jail for?
Heath rapped on her window.
She rolled it down.
His gaze landed on the mugshot. “That the photo you were talking about?” He plucked it from her fingers. “I’ll keep it. I can look up the number in the case logs.”
Dela’s chest squeezed. Grandfather Thunder told her this would hurt her mom. She didn’t want to do that, but at the same time, she wanted to know who this man was. “Thanks. But keep it just between us.”
He smiled and held out his pinky. “I swear.” They locked their pinky fingers just as they had over twenty years ago when they’d discovered they both wanted to learn about their fathers. They’d made a pact that they would help each other in their search.
♠ ♣ ♥ ♦
Thank you for reading book three in the Spotted Pony Casino Mystery series. If you enjoyed the book, please leave a review where you purchased Double Down. Reviews are the best way to let an author know you enjoyed the story.
As I continue the series there will be surprises about Dela’s heritage and more murders that she, Heath, and their friends will solve.
If you enjoyed this mystery series you might like my other mystery series:
Shandra Higheagle Mystery Series
Double Duplicity https://www.books2read.com/u/bww90b
Tarnished Remains https://www.books2read.com/u/b5oBRm
Deadly Aim https://www.books2read.com/u/3LXde3
Box Set 1-3 https://www.books2read.com/u/m2ELO3
Murderous Secrets https://www.books2read.com/u/4A8QAm
Killer Descent https://www.books2read.com/u/38DDNr
Reservation Revenge https://www.books2read.com/u/m2XZEk
Box set 4-6 https://www.books2read.com/u/38DAOB
Yuletide Slaying https://www.books2read.com/u/bzp1Lq
Fatal Fall https://www.books2read.com/u/bQZ5d7
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Toxic Trigger-point https://books2read.com/u/4Ex9De
Abstract Casualty https://books2read.com/u/4XXLke
Capricious Demise https://books2read.com/u/b6ZJOA
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Gabriel Hawke Mystery Series
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About the Author
Paty Jager grew up in Wallowa County in NE Oregon and has always been amazed by its beauty, history, and ruralness. She has always had an interest in the Indigenous people and their culture and enjoys learning more every time she writes a book.
Paty is an award-winning author of 53 novels of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. She and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.
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Thank you for purchasing this Windtree Press publication. For other books of the heart, please visit our website at www.windtreepress.com.
For questions or more information contact us at info@windtreepress.com.
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