Awash (The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series Book 6) by Dawn Lee McKenna Page B

that’s not what happened,” Gina said. “It just wasn’t going to work out to have her here, that’s all.”
    Maggie caught something out of the corner of her eye, and glanced over at Evan. The cat was sliding itself back and forth across Evan’s ankle. Evan gently swept it aside with his foot.
    “Ms. Merritt, I’m a mother. I have a daughter and a son,” Maggie said. “I understand your need to protect your son. But you didn’t do anyone any favors getting him out of trouble in Gainesville, not even him. I believe that you took Zoe in because you’re a good person, and you cared about Zoe. Were you concerned about her being under the same roof with your son?”
    “She said no,” Stuart said.
    “No,” Gina said, but she wasn’t very convincing. “I just thought it best for her to be with her aunt.”
    “Is she saying I did something?” Stuart said.
    “No, she isn’t,” Maggie answered. “But you do match the general description we have. We’re exploring all possibilities.” She glanced over at Evan, who was carefully removing one cat hair at a time from his pants leg. She looked back over at Stuart as he piped up.
    “That’s bull, man,” Stuart said. “I haven’t seen that girl since she left here.”
    “You can clear this up pretty quickly, Stuart, by voluntarily allowing us to get a sample of your DNA. If you haven’t done anything, then you’ll appreciate being able to clear yourself of any suspicion.” She pulled a small labelled packet from her purse. “I have the swab kit right here and it’ll take just a few seconds.”
    “No way, lady,” Stuart said. “I didn’t do anything, and I don’t have to give you no DNA.”
    “Maybe you should just do it, Stuart,” Gina said. “Then they’ll leave us alone.”
    “No,” Stuart said. “Let her get a warrant.”
    “It looks better if we don’t have to,” Maggie said.
    “I don’t care what it looks like,” he said.
    “Stuart,” Gina said.
    “Ms. Merritt, maybe you could step out of the room for just a moment,” Evan said politely, as he gently lifted the cat from the arm of his chair and set it on the carpet. “Some things are difficult to discuss in front of your mom.”
    “Why?” she asked.
    “We’re not here to make your son uncomfortable,” Evan said kindly. “You’re his mother. A woman. Just give us a few moments, please, and we’ll be out of your home.” He glanced at the cat as it hopped back onto the arm of his chair.
    Gina thought about this for a moment, then stood.
    “I don’t have to talk to you anymore, man,” Stuart said.
    “Stuart, just cooperate with these people so they know you didn’t do anything and they’ll go away,” Gina said. She looked at Evan as she started around the coffee table. “I’ll just be on the back patio.”
    Maggie watched the woman go out through a set of sliding glass doors at the back of the room, then she looked back at Stuart. He’d been staring at her chest, and he met her eyes with a smirk. She was about to say something when movement from Evan caught her attention.
    He dropped the cat into the sewing basket and slapped the lid shut, then stood up. “Listen up, Napoleon,” he said quietly to Stuart. “Cut the swagger. Nobody’s impressed.”
    Stuart watched Evan, wariness overshadowing the brave front, as Evan moved to stand in front of the coffee table.
    “If you didn’t have anything to do with Zoe, then you should be eager to cooperate with us.”
    “I didn’t do anything and I don’t have to give you none of my DNA,” the kid said.
    “It’ll grow back,” Evan said.
    The kid stood up. “You don’t have a warrant or anything,” he said. “If I tell you to leave, you have to leave.”
    Maggie stood up as well. “Are you sure you don’t want to help us out voluntarily, Stuart?”
    “Yeah,” he said, and this time he didn’t look at her chest.
    “That’s fine, Stuart,” Evan said. “But just let me mention that I’ve known quite a