Page 80 of Hard Knock Hero

I picked up Aiden’s wallet and phone. He hadn’t packed yet, as if he’d been avoiding the reality that he would have to leave soon. And now, he was on his way to jail. The state investigation could take days. He’d probably miss the entire wedding in Steamboat, and I knew how much that would agonize him. Letting people down when he’d given his word.

I wanted to believe Owen about the evidence proving Aiden’s innocence. But what if itdidn’t? What if the Rigsbys figured out some other way to punish him for helping me?

I had to get him out of this. There was absolutely no other outcome I would accept. But how?

“Can you drive yourself to the station?” Marsh asked.

“I’m going to call my brother.”

“He’s new in town, right? I thought at first that Aiden was your brother, but Sheriff Douglas said it was some kinda misunderstanding.”

“Something like that.” We went downstairs to the kitchen, and I called Trace’s number. I was worried he wouldn’t answer since it was the middle of the night, and I wasn’t sure if his phone’s reception was as spotty as Aiden’s. But he picked up on the first ring.

“Jessi?” His voice sounded sharp and alert. Like he hadn’t even gone to bed yet.

I told him as quickly as possible about the disaster that had just unfolded. Trace paused for a moment.

Then he launched into action. “Are you at the diner?”

“Yes. I’m about to leave.”

“Stay there. I think Scarlett’s asleep. I’ll go wake her. We’ll meet you in ten minutes in front of the diner. Are you alone?”

I glanced at Deputy Marsh. “No. One of Owen’s people is here. She’s going to secure the scene and keep everybody else out.”

“Good. Both of you stay put until Scarlett and I pick you up.”

Nine minutes and thirty seconds later, Scarlett’s Jeep Wrangler pulled up out front.

“Good luck,” Deputy Marsh said.

“I’m going to need it.” I jumped into the front seat. Trace was driving, and Scarlett was in the backseat, looking bleary-eyed. My brother peeled away from the curb, then took a U-turn to head toward the sheriff’s department headquarters. Scarlett must’ve already given him directions.

“Planting a body in a dumpster?” Scarlett said. “That’s crazy. Even for Jeremy Rigsby.”

“Maybe. But now he’s got his other family members helping him. Even a bunch of idiots can put together a strategy when they work together.”

“You’ve got family helping you, too,” Trace pointed out.

Scarlett reached forward and grabbed my shoulder. “We’re going to fix this.”

I nodded. “We have to.”

* * *

A crowd of people met us outside the sheriff’s department. Some I’d seen outside the bar earlier. Others had clearly just rolled out of bed, wearing puffy coats over their bathrobes. Apparently half the town had been woken by the news about Mitch’s body in my dumpster.

And Dale Rigsby was in the center of them. Shouting for justice and retribution. He pointed an accusatory finger the moment he spotted me. “You. You never should’ve been allowed to stay in this town in the first place. Now my son is dead.”

Why would I put him in my own dumpster?I wanted to ask. But I knew better.

Trace wrapped an arm around me, angling us both so I was inside his shadow. Scarlett was on my other side. They rushed me into the station.

But it wasn’t any better once we’d made our way inside.

I came face-to-face with Sawyer Rigsby. He stood having a tense conversation with Owen. Both Sawyer and the sheriff looked over at me as I entered.

“Jessi.” Sawyer’s face was bright red. “Please tell me this isn’t true. You couldn’t have had something to do with Mitch’s death.”

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