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Sheridan turned to Alek. His face was drawn, and his eyes narrowed as if he’d been thinking the same thing. Had Jamie gotten mixed up in something he shouldn’t have? She wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Except she and Finn couldn’t live the rest of their lives looking over their shoulder wondering.

She nodded at Alek before giving Finn’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. “Go ahead, Finn.”

Her nephew didn’t hesitate, punching in the code—double O seven twice for Jamie’s jersey number, seven. The burly Russian would have likely figured it out with a few tries.

“Thank you,” Agent Kovaluk said softly.

Sergi growled.

“Let’s start with the photos,” the agent suggested.

“Which album?” Finn turned the phone so the agent could see it.

“Your dad was organized. I like that.”

Sheridan stared at the screen over Finn’s shoulder, shocked at how Jamie, the messiest person she knew, had meticulously organized his pictures.

Every photo was sorted into folders by categories: the bar, hockey, Finn, Hattie.

There was even a folder with her name on it.

Then there were folders for places he’d visited, friends, even his collection of hockey skates.

She smiled as she shook her head at that one.

“Do you see anything unusual?” The agent directed the question to her.

“Not really. It’s all typical Jamie.”

Finn scrolled down to the bottom of the page.

“Wait!” Sheridan leaned in closer. “Does that say Monk ?”

Beside her, Alek chuckled in surprise. “He loved that show.”

“We both did,” she said. “If he met the stars from that show and never told me, I’m going to—” She stopped herself before voicing the words that spontaneously came to mind. “Can I see that, Finn?”

Sheridan took the phone and swiped the folder open, hoping for a picture of Jamie and their favorite television private eye.

What she saw instead had her knees buckling.

It was a carousel of photos featuring Madison.

In all of them, she was with other men. The brute currently in handcuffs behind her appeared in a few of the shots with another man and Madison.

Snippets of past conversations with Jamie began to filter through her mind.

I’m not sure what’s going on with Madison. She seems so withdrawn.

I don’t think I can make her happy.

Madison won’t even consider marriage counseling.

I need to do what’s best for Finn.

Judging by the photos on his phone, Jamie had been playing private eye. He’d been spying on his wife. Sheridan shuddered with dismay, nearly dropping the phone.

Her brother had been sending out clues for months that his marriage was in trouble.

Except Sheridan hadn’t listened. A tidal wave of shame washed over her.

She’d tuned him out because she needed Jamie and Madison’s marriage to work to absolve her of the guilt she carried.

Guilt for destroying her brother’s relationship with Alek.

And now Jamie was gone, and she could never ask his forgiveness.

“Sher?” Alek steadied her with a hand on her elbow. “What is it?”

She looked into his beautiful eyes and felt a jolt of pain so savage it stole her breath. Jamie wasn’t the only one she needed absolution from.

“I believe this is what your friend was looking for.” She handed the phone to Agent Kovaluk.

The FBI agent whistled through his teeth as he swiped through the images. He placed his palm on Finn’s head.

“Your dad was as good a detective as he was a hockey player. You should be very proud of him. I’m going to have your aunt email me this folder and then the phone is all yours again.”

Sheridan didn’t want Finn hanging around that long. “Aunt Eileen? Can you take Finn over to the pool? I think the movie is starting.”

Her aunt looked confused and perhaps a little miffed. It couldn’t be helped, though. Right now, keeping Finn from getting hurt was Sheridan’s highest priority. No matter how much the FBI agent sugarcoated things for Finn, she didn’t want her nephew to know the truth about his parents’ marriage.

“Save me some popcorn.” She traced her fingers over Finn’s cheek and gave him a reassuring smile.

Typical of an eight-year-old, he seemed unfazed by the events of the past few minutes. “Okay. But hurry. You don’t want to miss the part when he yells at the fake Santa.”

Alek shifted closer as Aunt Eileen hurried Finn away.

“Now, what the hell is on that phone?” he demanded as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Some very incriminating photos of a certain Russian crime boss watching our friend here loading stacks of money into a suitcase.” He turned to the big Russian.

“And you swore up and down you didn’t work for the guy.

This is the last piece we needed to connect you to a string of ugly crimes against people who owe this group money. ”

Sergi let out a string of Russian words, all of them sounding vicious and vulgar.

Agent Kovaluk tsked at him.

“Stupid hockey player,” Sergi barked out. “He thinks he can pay off debt by blackmailing.” More Russian words flew through the air.

Alek choked out a sound of disbelief. “Are you kidding me? Jamie was gambling ? With the Russian mob no less?” He slapped his palms on top of his head angrily.

“Well, isn’t that a great way to provide for your family?

Not to mention keeping them safe. I guess now we know the reason he sold off his family’s legacy. What a dumbass.”

Sheridan gnawed on her bottom lip. One look at Agent Kovaluk’s merciful expression and she knew the real story. He sighed before opening his mouth to correct Alek. Sergi beat him to it, though.

“Hockey player no gambling. He a sucker for his wifey.” He shook his head. “She good gambler. Until she got greedy.”

His words weren’t exactly a surprise to Sheridan. Her heart ached for her brother. Selling the bar to cover Madison’s losses had to have been like selling a piece of him. But he’d always had a soft spot for his wife. Madison had no qualms about taking advantage of his love.

“I’m sorry? Wh-what?” Alek stammered in his shock. “ Madison had the gambling problem?”

She held her breath, waiting for Alek to deny it. To defend his former lover. It would crush her.

Even if she deserved it.

His hands were in his hair again. “Holy shit.”

“Blondie a terrible driver,” Sergi said.

Every muscle in Sheridan’s body tensed.

Alek took several steps toward the Russian before the agents intercepted him.

“What did you say?” he demanded of Sergi.

“I only trying to give them a warning.” The Russian shook his head. “But she drive too fast.”

The sound of Alek swearing violently echoed in Sheridan’s ears before everything faded to black.