In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) by Kori David Page A

Phoenix. Zach didn’t like the man. He’d seen the way the detective looked at Beth and, while he couldn’t blame him for wanting her, he’d break his damned neck if he stepped out of line.
    The loud bang-bang-bang on the door pulled Zach’s attention.
    “Darwin McCreedy. This is the Sedona Police Department and we’d like a word with you.”
    The door cracked open after a minute or so and a voice answered. “What is the meaning of this?”
    “We have some questions for you, sir. Can we come inside?”
    “I haven’t broken any laws. What’s this about?”
    Zach couldn’t see the man, his view being blocked by three of the officers, but the sound of the voice and inflection didn’t sound right. He had experience in dealing with criminals in the military. Their voices held an edge, a menace that just wasn’t present here. His shoulders relaxed and he stepped back. This wasn’t the guy. Oh, Mr. Darwin McCreedy was hiding something, but he wasn’t the one who was terrorizing Beth.
    Zach would bet his life on it.
    Shooting Jesse a look, he gave a quick shake of his head. Before Jesse could relax, he sent couple of quick hand signals that only his unit used. An unfriendly still had eyes on them and they still needed to be vigilant. He saw his friend take a casual look around. Zach did the same, but whoever watched them was hiding very well. Or hiding in plain sight.
    The officers and Wolfe finally convinced the older man to let them inside. Zach automatically moved with them as they entered. It was spacious and the bay window on the opposite side of the door flooded the place with light.
    The place was covered in different colored threads and patterns of some kind. The man himself was a bit of a surprise and, clearly, a cross dresser. His hair was slicked back and he wore men’s jeans, but a flowered sweater. His blue eye shadow matched the color of the sweater.
    “May we ask what you’re doing in Flagstaff, sir?” Wolfe kept a straight face.
    “Why is it anyone’s business what I do?” His hands were on his hips as he looked around.
    “Because you live in the same building as Elizabeth Russell and there is an ongoing investigation into the break-ins at her unit,” Wolfe explained.
    “Well, I don’t have anything to do with that. Barely even know the girl.”
    “We understand that, but still, it is an odd coincidence that you showed up in the very place she is…during an investigation.”
    McCreedy shrugged and looked confused. Convincingly confused, to Zach’s trained eye. “I saw the girl leave the other day, sure. Never asked her where she was going because it’s none of my business. Just like my trip here is none of your business. A man needs a bit of privacy now and again.”
    “But why here specifically, sir?”
    The older man sighed and took a step over to the table with a small mound of patterns. He picked one up and also took a business card from a neat stack at the center. “I do cross-stitch. Every year I come up to Flagstaff for the art festival.”
    Several of the local cops nodded, evidently knowing about the art fest.
    “I sell my stuff from home. That’s how I make up the difference in the pittance the government gives me and my retirement. But every year, I come to the festival and see old friends and grab new patterns.”
    And dress like he wanted without the neighbors knowing , Zach thought.
    “I see,” the Sergeant said. “You understand we were just checking it out. For the safety of the woman.”
    McCreedy nodded. “Terrible business. She’s a lovely girl. I’ve been trying to find a wig in the color of her hair. Have you seen her hair? It’s simply gorgeous.”
    Zach had heard enough. McCreedy wasn’t the guy. He was a harmless art buff who liked to dress in women’s clothing and do cross-stitch. Zach sighed. It would have been easier if it had been him.
    He backed out of the room, catching the Detective’s eye when he did. Wolfe followed him outside.
    “He