Except for the fact that Sonya, too, had a motive for killing her husband. “Once again, I’m counseling you to tell the truth and not wait until someone else reveals it for you at a time when you’ll only appear more guilty.”

“You’re a man with strong principles.” The general inhaled deeply. “As am I. I’ll talk to Sonya about not hiding the abuse and I’ll also tell her about her husband’s affairs. When the time is right.”

Hunter inclined his head. “Fair enough. Now, where was Sonya when her husband was killed?”

“Home. Both Edna and Molly saw her car in the driveway, and Edna also saw her through the yard. She likes to sit out on the patio and look at the stars.”

“Good enough,” Hunter said. “Sonya didn’t have opportunity.”

“Damn right,” the general said.

“And you found your partner’s body the next morning when you showed up for work?” Hunter asked, recalling what the cop had told him earlier.

The other man gave him a curt nod.

“One more thing. Did you go home after you left Sonya’s house?”

Frank shook his head.

“Where did you go? Where were you at the time of the murder?” Which, Hunter thought, the police placed at between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m.

The general rubbed his eyes, obviously exhausted. “I was out.”

“Did you take the car?”

He shook his head. “I took a walk into town.”

“Did anyone see you?”

His gaze shifted downward. “No.”

“Did you stop anywhere?”

The general groaned. “I was angry. When I’m upset I walk. Just ask anyone in the family. I didn’t have a destination in mind. I just walked. Are we almost through? I’m wiped out.”

“We’re fine for now. I’m going to get another bail hearing scheduled right away. I have a friend I graduated with who’s a local judge. If I can pull some strings, I can get a new hearing based on your other lawyer’s incompetence scheduled today. I’ll get you out of here,” Hunter said as he placed his pad back into the duffel bag.

“I’d appreciate that. I might have spent my youth sleeping just about anywhere, but age and a soft bed have spoiled me.” He winked at Hunter and he caught a glimpse of Molly in the general’s eyes and smile.

Hunter laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. We’ll talk some more when you’re back home.”

He shook the man’s hand and waited as the guard recuffed him and led him out of the room, returning him to his cell.

Hunter gathered his things and headed to the house, reflecting on what he’d learned. The most important thing he’d discovered today wasn’t on paper. It had been in the general’s expression, his voice, his emotions.

On finding out his best friend and partner had betrayed him, Frank had been pissed, no doubt. Angry and upset, surely. But there had been no murderous rage that Hunter could detect in the telling, and he doubted there’d been any that night. The man couldn’t possibly cover his feelings that well. Hunter’s gut told him so and his gut had served him well over the course of his stellar career. He chose to trust it now.

Molly was right. No way could her father kill over money or revenge. But somebody had and as soon as Hunter ensured the general’s release, he’d have to find other viable suspects, or the truth, such as it was, wouldn’t be enough to keep Molly’s father free forever.


***

MOLLY ENTERED the house around seven in the evening. Since moving in, she’d become more and more attuned to the normal sounds of family living, but instead of noise, quiet enveloped her. She hated thinking of her father in his tiny jail cell when he should be here with his family and as usual, a lump formed in her throat. She was about to call out for her grandmother when she remembered that the commander had mentioned taking Jessie to do some shopping before dinner.

She might not be surrounded by familiar sounds, but Molly knew she wasn’t alone. The motorcycle parked in the back of the driveway told her Hunter was here.

And she was glad. She headed straight for her father’s office. The door was cracked open. A quick glance told her Hunter sat on a chair beside Ollie’s cage.

She had raised her hand to knock and alert Hunter to her presence, when he spoke first, obviously talking to the bird. “He dribbles down the court. He pauses by the basket. He goes for the layup. He shoots. He scores! ”

A grin tipped the corners of her mouth. The bird had chosen to entertain Hunter with his favorite trick, reaching for a ball and dunking it in his mini hoop.

Molly forgot all about knocking. “I didn’t know you were a basketball fan.” She walked into the room, laughing.

Hunter rose from his seat, a heated flush highlighting his cheeks. “You caught me,” he said, clearly embarrassed by playing sportscaster to the macaw. “But the bird’s fascinating.”

Molly grinned. “Ollie’s got his good points. He speaks when spoken to, he does tricks on command and he’s potty trained. Can’t ask for much more than that in a man.”

“Cute.” He stepped closer. “Did you eat dinner yet?”

She nodded. “I grabbed a Subway sandwich on my way home. Liza dropped me off afterward. What about you?”

“I ate with Edna. She makes a mean steak and potatoes.” He patted his stomach approvingly.

“Edna’s an amazing cook whether it’s for one or twenty. I can safely say I didn’t inherit that trait.” She spoke in a self-deprecating tone, well aware of her own strengths and weaknesses. “I’m sorry I didn’t come home sooner. I got tied up at the center.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” Hunter turned his back to her and began to straighten some papers he’d been working with, deliberately placing them in neat piles around the desk. “You don’t answer to me. I’m only here for-”

“My father, I know,” she said, grinding her teeth, her frustration building. One minute Hunter was kissing her in the hall upstairs, the next he was as cool as the night air outside.

“Hunter-”

“Molly-” They spoke at the same time.

“You first,” he said.

She shook her head. “You.”

“Okay. I paid your father a visit today. He’s a great guy.” Hunter shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t have picked anyone different for you. In fact…” His voice trailed off and she got the distinct impression he was embarrassed. “Never mind.”

“No, tell me.”

Hunter met her gaze. “He’s everything you could have hoped for and more. I’m happy for you,” he said in a rush of words.

Warmth surged through her, a tingling sensation, one part gratitude and an even bigger part attraction. She couldn’t deny it. When he was kind and considerate, and didn’t seem to be holding himself back, Hunter was one very special man. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?” he asked.

She blinked. “I honestly don’t remember. I’m too stunned by what you just said. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you cared about me,” she said in her best Scarlett O’Hara impersonation.

She was dead serious yet she didn’t want to scare him away. Better for him to think she was teasing him than for him to get nervous and retreat.

“Who says I don’t care?” He reached out and wrapped his finger around a strand of her hair.

Molly felt the gentle tug straight down to her toes and she licked her dry lips. She hadn’t meant for the gesture to be seductive but his eyes followed the movement, darkening with molten heat and desire. A surge of warmth prickled at her skin and she swayed toward him, giving him an open invitation. One she hoped he’d take her up on.

His big hand slid upward and she tipped her head back into his palm, her gaze never leaving his. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for his lips to finally settle over hers. Her eyelids fluttered shut and she savored the feel of his mouth, the warm glide of his tongue over her lips and the delicious arousal thrumming through her veins.

She couldn’t help but notice how much more touchy-feely they’d become now, when his walls were supposedly higher and she had no idea where they stood. When he kissed her like this, she didn’t care.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, aligning their bodies flush against each other. His heat sucked her into a whirlpool of sensation and his scent ignited a flame of desire the likes of which she’d never felt before. She wanted him badly and the low moan that escaped the back of her throat ensured he knew it, too.

She tangled her fingers in the back of his hair at the same moment she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. “Well, this is a fine welcome-home greeting,” her father said in his “general” voice.

Hunter flew backward. Molly jumped away from him at the same time and they both turned guilty looks his way. But the general had a huge grin on his handsome face.

And then his presence registered in Molly’s mind. “You’re home. You’re home! Oh my God.” She ran and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “I had no idea but I’m so relieved.”

“Same here,” he said.

She stepped back, her hand still inside his. “How? When?”

“Hunter freed me in time for dinner.”

Molly turned Hunter’s way. “You didn’t say anything.”

“Made the surprise that much sweeter, didn’t it?” Hunter asked.

Molly thought she fell back in love with him right then. If she’d ever fallen out. She doubted it.

She shot him a lingering glance before turning to her father. “Where were you when I came home?”

“Next door checking on Sonya and Seth.”

Molly nodded. “That’s good. And now that you’re home, you’re going to remain here,” she said in her most determined voice.

“I’m sorry to be the bucket of cold water, but bail is only a temporary solution,” Hunter pointed out.

Molly rolled her eyes. “Surely we can celebrate just for tonight.”