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I avert my gaze and press my lips together.

“Your cooperation will go a long way toward lightening your sentence.”

I see what he’s doing and refuse to play along. If I admit to knowing where Max is, I’ll be booked on kidnapping charges. I’ll spend years in prison. That’s not going to happen.

“I want a lawyer,” I say.

“Legally, I need to stop questioning you now. However, if you change your mind and decide you’re going to cooperate, then just ask one of the officers to get me.”

Agent Taft leads me back to the booking area. Nitro’s standing near the wall where they take photos of criminals against a height chart. He glances at me but doesn’t say a word. I hope he also invoked his rights.

We’re booked. Nitro for reckless driving and me for suspicion of kidnapping. When we get our one phone call, Nitro calls Scar. He doesn’t pick up, so Nitro leaves a voicemail explaining the situation.

“Now, we wait,” he says.

I’m being taken back to the women’s section of the jail when a team of FBI agents swarms the station. The agent I just spoke to is leading the charge.

“I’ve got a warrant to search Sheriff Curtis’ office,” Agent Taft says.

“On what grounds?” A deputy grabs the warrant.

“Suspicion of murder.”

“That’s ridiculous. His wife’s dead, and his son’s missing. You already have his kidnapper in custody. Why aren’t you interrogating her?” He points at me.

“There’s no proof she took the boy. We’re investigating her based on an eyewitness who is friends with the sheriff. The witness’ statement can’t be corroborated by anyone else. For now, if Ms. Brant posts bail, we’re going to let her go.”

“This is bullshit! She’s got the kid!”

“She’s innocent until proven guilty. Right now, the only one who looks good for either crime is the sheriff.”

“You should be looking for the real killer,” the deputy snarls.

“Sheriff Curtis should have made sure his timeline matched ours,” Taft says.

“Timeline?”

“His alibi doesn’t check out. He’s got a history of domestic violence, and he went on trial last year for hurting his kid. He’s our prime suspect. Now, get out of the way, or I’ll have my team remove everyone from this building.” Taft pushes past him and walks toward an office door marked “Sheriff Curtis.”

My eyes go wide. The FBI suspects the sheriff? This is great news! Maybe they’ll let me go after all. I can’t wait to tell Scar. I hope he doesn’t leave us here to punish me or Nitro. I don’t think he’ll abandon us. However, he was so angry when he left me with Nitro that I don’t know what he’s going to do.

When I get to my cell, I sit on a lumpy cot. I’m alone, thank God. But my heart doesn’t slow. The longer I wait, the more I worry.

“Please come,” I whisper.

I sit against the cinderblock wall and pull my legs to my chest. Despite my exhaustion, there’s no way I’m going to fall asleep in this place. I stay vigilant for hours. Finally, Scar appears outside my cell—and he looks furious.

Chapter 17: Scar

“Yeah, that’s her.” I scribble my signature on a clipboard before handing it back to the deputy. The man unlocks the door to free Julia. She hurls herself into my arms and clings to me. I instantly cave and press my nose into her cinnamon-scented hair. I inhale deeply before remembering how fucking pissed off I am. I untangle her arms from around my waist and step back. Oh, no. She’s not going to get off that easily. One hug won’t make up for the stress she’s putting me through.

“Scar, I—”

“Don’t say a fucking word. I’m not in the mood.” I turn to the guard. “Where’s Nitro?”

“In the men’s section on the other side.”

“Let’s go!” I glare at him to get moving. He’s slow as shit but fast enough that Julia struggles to keep up. She’s got dark circles under her eyes and looks like she didn’t sleep a wink all night. I don’t blame her. In a place like this, you don’t sleep unless you want to get shanked. A sliver of pity stabs my heart, but I quickly pluck it out. I can’t afford to go soft right now. There’s way too much at stake.