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“I’m too worried to rest. Have you heard from Gage?”

“Asa said they’re interviewing him, and he has a long list of things they could add to Bruce, Tommy, and Cain’s charges. Knowing the places as well as he does will help too. They’re working on warrants to go in and get evidence.”

“Really?” Thea laid her head back as relief washed over her. “That’s good news.”

“There’s more,” Brett said with a smile.

“What?”

“Gage told them Bruce killed my dad. They weren’t able to pin it down to him before, but there isn’t a statute of limitations on murder. He could go away for a long time.”

Thea’s eyes widened, and she was afraid to breathe. “Really?”

“Really, really,” Brett repeated.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Thea looked at Brett.

“I’ll see who it is,” he said as he stood.

He opened the door and paused. There were dozens of people it could be. Was it a friend or an enemy?

Brett looked back at her, and for once, she couldn’t read his face. He was smiling, but there was a hint of uncertainty that kept her on edge.

He stepped back and opened the door, allowing Thea’s mom to walk in.

Chapter28

Brett

Brett stepped back, letting Sharon Howard into the hospital room. Holding his breath, he looked at Thea.

Her eyes widened, and she gripped the railing on the bed. “Mom?”

Sharon looked much older than the last time he saw her, and she moved slower. He pushed those details to the side. She was here, and that was a huge win for all of them.

Deep wrinkles gathered near Sharon’s eyes as she smiled at her daughter. “Thea.”

Thea struggled to sit up, and Brett sprang into action. “Wait, let me help you.” He held the button to lift the head of the bed, but Thea was already up and reaching for her mom.

Thea and Sharon hastily wrapped their arms around each other.

“Careful. Thea has some broken ribs,” Brett said.

“I don’t care,” Thea whispered as tears fell over her cheeks onto her mother’s shoulder.

Brett moved back, letting Thea and her mom have their long-overdue reunion.

Emerson stepped just inside the door, wrapping her arms around her middle.

He’d almost forgotten about Emerson’s problem. Or was ithisEmerson problem? They had some things to work out together and on their own.

“You brought her here?” Brett asked.

Emerson pulled her shoulders in closer. “Yeah. They arrested Tommy, and one of the police officers said they would be coming back soon with the ATF and a warrant. I went with them to tell Aunt Sharon that her house would basically be a free-for-all in a few hours.”

“What does this mean? You think it’ll stick?” Brett asked. With Tommy out of the way, could Thea and her mom have a normal relationship?

“I talked to the detective tonight. I told them everything I knew about Tommy, Bruce, and Cain. They said they had plenty to go on, and they didn’t think we’d have to worry anymore. Max is stable, but he’s being guarded by an officer. He’ll go straight to jail when he’s released.”