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This whole elaborate setup was designed to separate her from Jackson and then lure her to the hospital.

And it had worked.

Melanie’s bright red mouth made a moue of dissatisfaction. “Our client has nothing to say to law enforcement.”

“That’s fine. He can just listen.” Jackson pegged Wally with a steely gaze. Todd was the ringleader. It was the only thing that made sense. Wally was a pawn used by his brother as a distraction. Jackson was taking a risk with the tactic running through his mind, but it felt right and fit with the evidence they knew, so he ran with it. “The situation has changed. Detective Piper Jensen has been kidnapped by your brother. Unlike your brother, you haven’t killed anyone yet. The minute Detective Jensen dies though, Wally, your situation gets infinitely worse.”

Wally locked his jaw, but underneath the sheet, his leg jittered. He was uncomfortable.

“Texas jurors don’t like killers. If you know where Todd has taken Detective Jensen and you conceal it from us, I can guarantee the state’s attorney will throw the book at you. There’s not a jury in the world that will take a look at your criminal history and believe you’re innocent of these crimes. Especially when we get your girlfriends on the stand. Remember Kylie? The mother of your child? The woman you beat badly enough she went to the hospital. Twice.”

Melanie’s cheeks heated. “Don’t threaten?—”

“Oh, it’s not a threat, ma’am. It’s a promise.” Jackson practically shook with rage, but he contained his anger, and kept his gaze locked on Wally. He softened his voice. “But there’s a way to make this all go away. We can’t prove, yet, that you blew up the cabin. We can’t prove you killed anyone. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding. If you help us find Detective Jensen, then it’s possible you won’t spend a night in jail.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Melanie sputtered. “Wally, don’t listen to him?—”

“I wanna talk.”

Jackson’s heart skipped a beat, and he stepped toward Wally. “Do you revoke your right to counsel?”

“No, he doesn’t,” Melanie snapped. “Wally, he’s trying to trick you.”

Wally sat forward, the cuffs on his wrists holding him back as he strained toward her. “Are you stupid? Do you think I’m going to prison over this! I told my brother this was a bad idea, and he didn’t listen to me. Now I’m the one who’s going to pay the price while he walks around a free man.”

“You have to revoke your right to counsel,” Jackson interjected. “Do you?”

“Yes.” Wally nodded. “I don’t want her in here. Get her out!”

Daniel grabbed Melanie’s elbow and steered her toward the door. “You heard the man. Let’s go.”

She protested loudly and continued doing so even as Daniel gently pushed her into the hall. He shut the door and locked it.

Wally panted like he’d run a marathon. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his heart rate monitor was flying. Jackson feared the younger man would have a heart attack before he could tell them anything.

“It’s okay. She’s gone.” Jackson hated the soothing tone he was forced to use, but keeping Wally on their side was essential. Every minute that ticked by with Piper in Todd’s grasp made her situation all that more precarious.

“I need protection.” Wally’s eyes were wide, as if he couldn’t quite believe he’d thrown his attorney out of the room. “I’ll tell you what I know, but I want protection. A new name, a new life far away from here.”

Fear oozed from his pores and his leg jittered harder underneath the bed. Sweat stains appeared on the hospital gown.

“Who do you want protection from?” Jackson asked. “Your brother?”

Wally laughed. It was low and guttural, and sounded like he’d smoke a thousand cigarettes. “Todd would never hurt me. We’re family. I protected him from our dad and Todd worships the ground I walk on.” His gaze met Jackson’s. “I need protection from someone bigger than Todd.” His attention shot to the door and then back to Jackson. “Get me a deal and I’ll talk. Tell you everything, including where Todd is taking Detective Jensen.”

“Tell us where she is now.”

“I’m not that dumb,” Wally sneered. “The minute I do that, you’ll throw me in jail. The detective is my ticket out of this mess. But the clock is ticking. Melanie won’t wait long.”

Jackson’s blood ran ice cold. “You need protection from Shawn.”

Not a flicker of acknowledgment showed on Wally’s face. Jackson couldn’t tell if he was afraid of Shawn or not.

“Get me a deal,” Wally said. “Or Detective Jensen dies.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Someone was yelling.