He smiled and tweaked her nose. "You just worry about yourself. Don't worry about me. Maybe between all of us, we'll get this figured out."

She waited and listened as they asked her yet again. She looked up at the clock. "Are you going to charge me?"

Palacios sighed, Mesler opened her mouth and Cora held up her hand. "The good cop, bad cop is getting old. Maybe to throw me off, you should have switched rolls." Tired of this, she glared at them. "You're wasting your time."

"What do you know of Mr. Duran?" Mesler asked.

"I know he drives a Fat Boy, knows how to ride, and can be a little territorial. He also is a great lover, but what information did you have in mind?"

"Did he tell you he'd been arrested in regards to a similar crime in Texas?"

She nodded. "And now it's time to see if the fake will change her story. Can we get her to trip up over the details?"

A knock at the door and they all looked up. Sedona's Chief of Police Joel Valenquez stood at the door glaring in.

"That glare doesn't look good and look, there's my lawyer."

Rose Walkwood strode into the room, dressed in jeans and a tie-dyed shirt. "Sorry, had my phone on silent. I tend to like my yoga to be uninterrupted."

Rose walked like a ballerina, blonde hair and brown eyes, she often looked like a laid back beach bunny. Of course the boob job did nothing to help that impression, but few underestimated her a second time. "Palacios, Mesler, I've talked to the chief. This is amusing and time wasting. Until you have more, my client is free to go, unless you have some hard evidence to link her to these crimes."

No one said anything.

"Didn't think so." Rose held her hand out to Cora. "Come darlin'. The big mean cops were just doing their jobs."

"I know that," Cora said, standing. At one time, she might be scared. But considering there was a real killer out there who wanted her eyes, the police seemed tame.

As she walked out of the interview room, she looked to the side and saw Rogan in another room with a man with a similar profile. He didn't look at her and she knew he had a lot on his mind.

"Thank God," someone said, and she was suddenly grabbed in a bear hug.

Kyle.

"I'm okay," she said, patting his back. He set her down and looked her up and down.

"What's going on, Cora? Why are you here? I knew that man was bad news."

"Kyle."

"Rides in on his Harley and turns your head. Sleeps with you..."

"Kyle-"

"I ought to-"

"Here," another voice said behind her. She turned and found Hanson holding a cup of water for her. "You look like you could use this."

Knowing Kyle was watching and after their conversation this morning, she took the cup and grinned up at Hanson. "Thanks."

Kyle sighed. "It's okay, Cora. We've talked and we're calling a truce."

"Jail tends to do that," Rose said. She pulled Cora off to the side. "We need to talk about this all. But, I have another meeting here in-" She checked her watch. "Shit I'm late. Drop by my office this afternoon. I'll tell you this. They're looking hard at the missing women around the state, and more are popping up. They want this pinned and closed. State boys are already calling and the District Attorney knows this would look great as a sterling red feather in his cap. Watch your back, Cora and if they are lenient enough to let Duran go, stay away from him."

Cora looked back over her shoulder and saw Rogan shaking his head at something his lawyer said. He looked up then and their eyes met.

A charge thrilled down her spine. She wondered if he needed anything.

"Cora, did you hear me?"

She looked back at her lawyer and nodded. "Yes I hear you. I need to get to the shop."

With that, she turned to leave. "We'll drive you," Hanson said.

She looked at Kyle. "I don't know if that would be a good idea."

Kyle smiled. "We're fine, sweets. We called a truce when I told him what was going on. Besides, I've had time to think and we've had plenty of time to sit out here and talk."

She nodded and they walked out of the police station. Once in the car they started down the road, back to the older part of town. Kyle said something to Hanson, but she ignored them. They dropped Kyle off at the apartment, but she wanted to go to the shop. In minutes Hanson was parking in the alley behind Mystic Moons. Sighing, she wished her nerves would calm. Hanson had been silent the entire time.

"Coffee?"

She turned and looked at him. "Why do you have pictures of me?" she asked as they climbed out of the car.

Both walked around the corner of the building and across the street to Monte's. "You should be more careful, Cora."

"You didn't answer my question," she said.

"You're a fascinating subject, Cora. Even in black and white, your eyes are startling. And the contrast between your innocent appearance and the knowledge in your eyes is wonderful. Truth."

On the sidewalk she heard her name and turned just as Hanson held the door open for her. Lake and Simon were walking towards them out of Lake's shop down the block.

Lake hurried over. "Oh, thank God. I swear. I never would have set you up on that date if I'd have known he was a monster. I never saw, never felt..." She frowned. "At least not about him. Oh, sweetie, are you okay?"

Cora nodded and smiled as they all trooped into the coffee bar.

Lake leaned close and whispered, "I really need to talk to you later. Can you come by my shop around closing time?"

Cora looked at the clock. It was already twelve-thirty. Then it hit her.

"It's Friday."

"So freaking close early," Lake hissed. "It's important."

Open late, close early. This would be good. "Fine."

"Five then. Okay?"

Cora nodded and ordered a coffee.

Chris was manning the bar and only sneered at her. "Where's your sex god lover boy?"

"Learning some new tricks, I'm sure," she answered, then turned and ignored him as Simon put his hand on her arm.

"Are you okay? Lake and I were worried about you." Simon's face creased in worry.

"I'm fine. Just off schedule."

Lake snorted. "Oh forbidden things."

Simon looked between them. "Forbidden can be fun."

Hanson grabbed their drinks and walked her back across the street. She stepped to her sidewalk and opened the front door. A chill danced down her spine and she glanced over her shoulder wondering where the feeling came from, wondering what it was that caught her attention. From here, she could see them all in the coffee shop. Chris was staring at her, and Lake and Simon were talking about something as they walked out and started down the street. Lake waved at her and then Simon did as well.

She realized Hanson was talking to her and tried to focus on what he was saying.

Something was going to happen. An energy hummed under her skin and she wished she knew what it was, but nothing congealed in her mind.

Dark and sinister, it slithered through the air and wrapped around her.

She wished Rogan were here.

Chapter Twenty-one.

Rogan sat silently as the cops tried to get him to talk. Since he'd been through this all before and had come out on top, he knew to be patient. Besides the fact he also knew he was innocent. The blackouts were a medical fact. Just because he couldn't account for his whereabouts on certain dates, had no tight alibi on some, other dates were rock solid and no way he could have committed the crimes of missing women.

At least if their files matched his.

They both glared at him before walking out the door for a minute. He wondered what they were discussing. Of course he was sure they'd already gotten a warrant for his room, probably found the file and his laptop.

Which would just be wonderful.

"I can't believe you still keep a damn file. What information is on your laptop?" Sean asked.

His brother was busy scribbling on a legal pad and tapping something into a PDA. Rogan started to ask what it was but kept silent for a minute, trying to think what all was on the laptop and how it could be used. "Basically the same thing that's in the file. More notes and questions on one part, yet other notes and questions on the other part." He shrugged. "Lists I've compiled on those who fit the missing girls."

The more he talked, the more still his brother became, until Sean shoved his glasses up his nose. "This ought to be fun. And to be honest, I have no idea what all we're getting into. I do corporate law, Ro, not criminal. And trust me when I say you need another criminal lawyer."

"It's not my fault the last one died."

Sean merely raised a brow. "No, just another example of the fact you've become a shit magnet. The case gets thrown out of court and your lawyer drops dead of a massive coronary." Sean muttered under his breath, then said, "I'm telling you, I'm going to need help."

Rogan nodded. "Fine. Find out who I need to get."

Sean grinned. "Already done and already called. Just figured I'd give you a head's up."

Rogan rolled his head, trying to stretch the kinks out of his neck. "They're really going to try and pin this shit on me, Sean. I know they will. Probably harder than they tried the last time."

"Probably."

He didn't want to admit his fear or the fact that he doubted he'd get out of it this time. Crossing his arms, he sat back, partially glad Cora was out of here. They let her walk out with her lawyer-which meant they either believed her or they didn't have enough to hold her. Either way, she was almost lucky.

Almost-if not for the fact he did believe everything she told him.

Rogan had no idea when he started to believe her, not so much partially thinking she might be onto something, but really believing her.

He looked to his brother. "I need you to call Clay and ask him to get some guys to watch out for Cora."

Sean raised a brow. "Mind if I ask why? And please tell me you don't believe in this hocus-pocus 'I see eyes' crap." Sean gave him the Duran-narrowed-eyed look. They weren't twins but the resemblance was there for any who gave them a passing glance. They took after their father with dark hair and eyes, though Rogan's hair was a bit longer and darker, his features harder, or rougher.

Sean was clean, slick-the epitome of a lawyer with his clean-cut hair, clean face and bronze-rimmed reading glasses. He wore button-downs and slacks complete with power ties.

Sometimes Rogan wondered how they could be so much alike and so very different, but they'd always been that way.

"Who's coming to help?"

"Retired lawyer from Scottsdale. Mr. Lacey. Retired from criminal law. He's agreed to look over your case and meet with us later this evening."

"Great."

Rogan wondered what evidence they'd have. What they had other than his laptop and the fact he was with Cora who claimed to "know" about the killings. Circumstantial at best.

"Did you tell Mom?" he asked his brother.

Sean snorted. "And have the wrath brought down on me? I've never been that stupid."

"Golden boy."

"Shit magnet."

They grinned at each other. Sean shook his head.

The cops opened the door again and he wondered how much longer this would take. He knew Cora was with her friends, or he assumed so. But the fact was he didn't know exactly where she was. Didn't know exactly what she was doing, or who was watching her. Or if anyone was even with her.