Free Bishop's Folly by Evelyn Glass

these parties?” Stella ignored the edged statement. She pushed forward, knowing her next insinuations may turn Delilah hostile. Judging from her standoffish reactions, though, Ms. Sampson may simply demand a lawyer. Somewhere deep inside Stella, she hoped Delilah would try to take a swing at her, so she could return the favor. Disgusted rage still simmered in Stella's blood.
     
    “Generally, yes,” answered Delilah, still focused on the wall.
     
    “So, you know how to get a hold of the cocaine?” Stella's voice took on an edge of dissatisfaction. Stan's report had left out entirely whether Delilah had contact with cocaine. Given Delilah's background report, it was surprising that such a huge factor would go unseen by him. Then again, Stella had heard the two of them going at it in his office. The man was so hard up for a little physical pleasure he would accept intimacy from a woman he was supposed to question.
     
    Delilah's voice softened, her eyebrows furrowing. For the first time since Stella entered, Delilah's gaze flickered to her, “Yeah.”
     
    “Did you bring any with you from Fairview?” This time, Stella kept her tone airy and light. It was meant to be conversational and kind, not a barbed accusation. She set aside the papers that detailed Delilah's former statement.
     
    Delilah's eyes widened, just slightly, for a microsecond. Then, the redhead's eyes darkened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. “ No .”
     
    “Is that so?” Stella gazed down at the stack of papers. She flipped up a sheet, as if reading it as she lied through her teeth, “Well, fingerprints were found on the vials in the 7T bedrolls. Yours were on there.”
     
    “M-maybe I touched them while shifting the bedrolls or something,” stuttered Delilah. Her voice became frail and uncertain. “It was a long ride, and we stopped a few times.”
     
    “Tell me, Ms. Sampson,” Stella's voice lowered to a no-nonsense tone. Flipping the folder shut, so Delilah couldn't see, Stella slowly pushed away from the table and stood up. As she paced, she mused aloud, “You have three perps. Two of them have no history with cocaine and are adamant that their motorcycle club is clean. The third has the connections and a prior rap sheet with the substance.” Stella made a complete rotation in her pace, returning to the table. This time, however, she edged closer to Delilah. Stella leaned against the table, putting all of her weight onto the furniture, as she pinned the redhead with a strong leer. “Now, why didn't Agent Jackson question your past usage?”
     
    “I want my lawyer.” The words shot out of Delilah's mouth before Stella even finished her inquiry. Something inside of Stella grinned. Stan hadn't questioned her about the past, because Delilah was useful to him as is. And Delilah had something to gain from Stan by placing the statement.
     
    Hiding her grin, Stella turned away and returned to her side of the table. “We aren't charging you with anything, Ms. Sampson. Why do you need a lawyer?”
     
    “I know my rights,” Delilah snarled. Her lips pressed tightly together as she settled back in her chair. She crossed her arms, creating a barrier between herself and Stella. This well of information had run dry.
     
    Before Stella could dismiss or continue to badger Delilah, Stan's head popped in from the doorway. A broad, fake smile plastered across his lips. He waved to Stella as his low voice crossed the distance, “Hey, can I talk to you for a sec, agent?”
     
    “Certainly,” smiled Stella as she stood. She gathered the folder in her arms and threw Delilah one last glance. “I'll have an officer come in and escort you back to wherever you're staying. Thank you for your time.”
     
    With that, Stella swept out of the interrogation room. Stan waited for her, holding the door open. In that brief second, when her back was turned, Stella eyed her partner. The man's blue eyes darted to Delilah, and the temperature in the