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How long do you think it’ll be before someone comes forward?”
    “I hope soon, Detective. Especially if it will help that grieving family,” Rose said, sounding sincere.
    There was a moment of silence. “There are rumors, Rose.”
    “You will address me as Mrs. Bennett or this conversation is over.” The chill in her voice could be felt in the hall. Jasmine applauded the younger woman for her stance.
    “Mrs. Bennett, there are rumors that strange things are happening up here. I’ve only been on the local force for three months and no one was willing to handle this case. Actually, no one was willing to talk to Mr. Knight. Why do you think that is?”
    Jasmine smothered a groan. A new cop out to make a name for himself.
    “I have no idea, Detective. You need to talk to your associates, ask them why they’re so reticent. I don’t see what that has to do with this investigation, and since that’s the purpose of this meeting, does that mean you have no more questions?”
    “I’m just getting started,” he snapped. “There have been sightings of wolves in these mountains, is it possible a wolf killed Merriweather?”
    “I don’t know, I work in an office. That’s your area of expertise, Detective. Do you think a wolf killed that man?”
    Jasmine sat in the chair near the door, grinning. So far Rose had put the little twerp on the defense without being rude. If Jenkins was taping the conversation, and she suspected he was, there’d be little aggression on Rose’s part.
    “I don’t know. Have you seen wolves in the area?”
    “I suppose so, wolves roam the forest right? Was this man killed by a wolf?”
    “The autopsy report says Merriweather was beaten and eventually died from his injuries. His partner, Mitchell Tyson, was found dead at the bottom of the cave with a bullet in his chest. Both men had been snacks for some of the animals roaming the forest before we recovered their bodies.” He paused before continuing.
    “Who do you think beat that man to death? The man you work for perhaps?”
    “Mr. Knight?” Rose tittered. Jasmine smiled, the girl was working this. “No. Mr. Knight didn’t beat anyone, let alone kill them.”
    “Why do you say that? You sound so sure.”
    “Because if someone disturbed Mr. Knight, he’d call the police and allow Southerland’s finest to handle it for him.”
    Jasmine’s hand flew to her mouth to prevent the bark of laughter that bit of drivel produced. She gave Rose high props for being able to speak such utter bull without laughing in his face. Silas calling on or asking human authorities for anything was a joke.
    The murders occurred on Mr. Knight’s property –”
    “It did not and you know it,” Rose snapped. “The least you can do is get your facts straight. You are not the first officer to discuss this horrible crime with us, Detective. We know the bodies were found on government protected land. If this is a witch hunt, this meeting is over.”
    “Sit down, Rose. I’m not done talking to you.”
    Jasmine had had enough. “But she’s done talking to you. I have been listening and you have completely disregarded the courtesy afforded you as an officer of the law. You need to get the hell out of here before I call security and have you taken out.”
    “And you are?” he asked in a condescending tone.
    “The woman who is tired of listening to you disrespect her daughter.” She looked at the tall, deeply tanned male with his slim muscular build with contempt. His faded blue eyes which looked as though they had seen way too much, narrowed at her.
    “I have not disrespected her. You heard wrong.” He waved his hand as though her words were pesky bugs, of little consequence.
    “If her husband were in this room you wouldn’t have called her by her fist name, especially after she asked you not to. You have lied and stretched the truth in so many ways it may never see the light of day again. This conversation is over.” Jasmine stared at him,