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Ford pulled one chair to the side for Jolie. He wasn’t ready to have her out of his sight yet, especially when they hadn’t confirmed they had all the shooters. Hemsworth took up his station at Jolie’s side and Ford stood with his hand on her shoulder. She reached up to hold his hand with hers and managed a small smile. He knew that was for his benefit.

Marcus opened the wallet, and the guy snarled.

The police chief ignored him and held up his phone. “I’m recording this conversation. Patrick McConnell. Want to tell me why you threatened to kill this woman?”

McConnell rolled his eyes. “I’ve got nothing to say.”

Marcus ignored that and pulled out his phone. He typed for a few moments and then raised his eyebrow and smiled. “Grand theft larceny. Looks like your stint on the outside is going to be short-lived. You’ve only been out of prison for a couple of days. You’ve probably violated every line of your parole order by now. Hope you liked the view from a cell because you’re going to enjoy it for many more years.”

McConnell swore. “I’m not going back there. You’ve got nothing on me.”

Marcus grinned. “You want a list? And that’s just from what I know so far. Once I get statements from these fine folks, I’m going to add a lot more. Your weapon was hot, so it’s been fired. Whether in an attempt to murder or maim, I’m not sure yet. Either way, just possessing a weapon is violation one. I’m betting the serial number’s been filed off. Violation number two. Threatening. Trespassing. Breaking and entering. Destruction of private property.”

The man snarled. “You’ve got nothing.”

Ford growled. “We’ve got all the proof we need, asshole. You had the muzzle of your gun against her forehead while you threatened to rape and kill both her and the other woman.”

Marcus nodded. “And things get worse for you. Better for me. We’ve got four reliable witnesses. And we’ve got your ragtag team in custody.”

Marcus turned to Jolie and Ford and held up his phone. “The others are talking. We have them all in custody, and our ringleader here is not being painted in a flattering light by any of his hired thugs.”

McConnell swore. “I’ll kill them. And you. You’re all going to pay. And when I get my property back, I’ll be so far away, you’ll never find me.”

Dumbass. Ford figured he’d egg him on, get him to spew more while Marcus was recording the entire conversation. “It’s not your property.”

McConnell squirmed in the chair. “It’s mine.”

Ford shook his head. “Nope. She owns the property.”

“Bullshit. That’s mine, and you can’t steal it from me.”

Jolie shifted and slipped the duffel off her shoulders.

McConnell goggled at her. “You had it the whole time? You stupid bitch. That’s mine.” He tried to leap off the chair, but Marcus and Nico easily held him back.

Jolie didn’t flinch. “Our land. Our pond. I’d say our property, but I’m thinking we’ll return this to whoever you stole it from.”

“It’s mine.” His voice was desperate as he struggled against the two men.

Jolie turned to Marcus. “Do you want me to open it, or would you like to do that once he’s locked away?”

Marcus’s eyes sparkled. “Why don’t you go ahead? That’ll put us one step closer to getting the stolen goods returned to the store McConnell here robbed all those years ago.”

Which meant Marcus knew exactly what was in the cylinder.

Jolie smiled as she handed Cyril to Ford. “Why don’t you do the honors?”

He loosened the lid and twisted it, revealing it was a thermos-style container. He twisted the inner lid and passed it back to Jolie.

She grinned and pulled out a long, thin vacuum-sealed bag.

Jolie gasped, and he was sure his own mouth dropped open.

She held up the bag that was full of small clear stones.

Diamonds.

There’d been dozens and dozens of diamonds on the bottom of the pond.