“This could be the break we’ve been waiting for,” Holt said.
Caden wrapped an arm around my chest, pulling me back into him again as if he needed my body against his. “What are you thinking?”
Holt shifted on his feet. “We’ve been hoping the unsub would get mad enough to make a mistake. Removing Grae from his orbit has done that. If she can tell us when these photos were taken, we’ll have a list of times he wouldn’t have had an alibi. We’ll cross a lot of people off our list that way.”
“And we know they must have been placed between last night when the scene was cleared and this morning,” Lawson added.
Caden’s fingers stroked my arms in a calming rhythm. “Anyone could’ve seen the fire department taking down the crime scene tape and known no one would be on the premises.”
Nash nodded. “It’s true. Our best hope is to figure out a timeline from the photos. We’ve got officers setting up a room at the station with all of them on display.”
I shivered again, and Caden pulled me tighter against him. He dipped his head, his lips skimming my ear. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“If you can come down tomorrow, that would be great,” Lawson said.
“Sure. But we have the gala tonight.”
“You don’t have to go,” Caden said. “You’ve been through a lot—”
I turned in his arms. “I’m going. This is for Clara. And I’m not letting you deal with your family alone.”
“Gigi…” He brushed the hair from my face.
“I’m going, and that’s final.”
“Don’t argue with her, brother,” Nash said. “She’s stubborn as an ox.”
I stuck out my tongue at him. “I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“We’ll be there, too,” Maddie assured me.
“You’re all welcome,” Caden said. “But I’m afraid it’s black tie, so you’ll have to dress up.”
Maddie grinned. “I love an excuse to see my man in a tux.”
Nash’s eyes heated as he pulled her into his arms. “Got a James Bond fantasy, Mads?”
“Maybe…”
“We’ll go, too,” Wren offered.
Holt nodded. “That way, you’ll have extra backup.”
Roan’s jaw went tight. “I’ll wait outside.”
Guilt pricked at me. “You don’t have to. We’ll have plenty of people around.”
“I’ll be outside,” he insisted.
“Okay,” I acquiesced.
Lawson pulled out his phone. “I’ll have your usual two-man detail on the premises in case more support’s needed.”
“We have security working the event, as well,” Caden added. “I’ve briefed them on the situation.”
Maddie grinned at Wren and me. “You know what this calls for, right?”
“Uncomfortable shoes?” I suggested.
