“Cara?”
“Yep, I’m here. The horses are—will be—fine. They can wait for a bit. We’re on our way.”
“No, I’m okay.”
“I’ll have to bring Jessie, anyway. And I’ll give you a ride home.”
Jessie stiffened. They’d give Zach a ride home? What if he was connected to all this?
A pause. Then he said, “Thanks, Cara.”
Jessie didn’t know what to do. So she just sat there, numb. Cara was taking her to the station. Perhaps once she got there, she’d tell the police Braden had come for her. They’d provide her police protection.
Her mind flashed with teeth and claws. Police protection? How could they protect her against that? But nothing was impervious to a bullet. Was it?
Cara disconnected and exchanged a look with Kade, who appeared in the entryway. His phone was pressed to his ear as he spoke.
“Braden,” he rumbled, “is smarter than I gave him credit for.”
“I didn’t think they’d pull Zach into the station over Jessie’s car.” Cara said.
“They found it on his land,” Kade pointed out. “We should have figured they would bring him in.”
“They found my car?” Jessie interjected. “Is it okay?” Wait a minute—they’d found itwhere?
“It’s been found. Yes,” Cara answered her partially, but her gaze didn’t leave Kade’s. “Braden’s hoping the police will be distracted by Zach.”
“Exactly. And not just them. Us too.” Kade pulled his phone from his ear to check the display. He hit a couple of keys and put it back there.
Jessie’s mind spun as she tried to follow the conversation. They’d found her car on Zach’s property? But both Kade and Cara seemed to think Braden had put it there. And as she noted Kade’s lowered brows and raised phone, the other reference caught up to her.
“Where is Sarah?” Jessie asked, dread in her heart.
“I have a man on her,” Kade growled. “But Neil’s not answering his phone.”
“I’ll take Jessie to the station,” Cara said. “We’ll help Zach.”
Kade nodded. “I’ve got to find Neil.” And he was gone in a swirl of muscular motion.
Jessie rose with Cara. “Is Sarah okay?”
Cara shook her head, making her braids sing. “I’m sorry, Jessie. I really have no idea.”
14
Jessie stood behind the one-way glass and stared at the lineup of men.
She’d seen Laura out in the hall. The woman had already given her verdict, although Jessie had no idea what it had been.
Six men stood with their backs to the wall. And to be brutally honest, she barely recognized Zach. He looked like he’d aged fifteen years. Hollow cheeked. The brows, once arched in humor, now emphasized the dark circles beneath. And his eyes peered out from the shadows. Their expression could best be described as haunted.
“Do you recognize any of them?” the officer asked.
“Yes, but not in the way you mean.”
“What way is that?”
“I met one at the hospital. And saw him again outside the facility, after you guys found us.”
