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I caught Jenna’s eye and discreetly shook my head. She got the message: tell him nothing.

“You couldn’t possibly know what they’ve been charged with. More than likely, they’ve been placed in a cell whilst things calm down, and they’ll be released in the morning.”

“Quite the optimist, aren’t you?” He sneered at Jenna.

“This isn’t my first rodeo.”

“I’m sure it isn’t,” he murmured, resting his hand on the back of my chair and drummed his fingers. “Do you mind if I have a little word with Rachel in private?”

“I mind very much,” James said.

“Whatever you need to say, it can be said in front of them.”

His smile tightened. “Five minutes. If you please.”

“Five minutes,” I repeated.

“Rachel—”

“I’m fine, James. Honestly. Go and sit with Bee.”

“I’ll be watching,” he warned, getting to his feet and holding his arm out, gesturing for Jenna to lead the way.

“What do you want?” I asked the second they were out of earshot.

Officer Bradley sat in Jenna’s seat, plucking a chip from my plate. “Do you want to tell me what happened at the club this evening?”

“If this is what you wanted to talk about, we may as well call them back now. It won’t take five minutes. I can sum it up for you in a second: I know nothing.”

“I know that you didn’t listen to my warning,” he said casually, reaching for another chip. I slapped his hand away, earning myself a small chuckle.

“What warning?”

“At the hospital,” he shrugged, as though it was obvious.

Jesus Christ, had it really only been a day since I saw him at the hospital?

Yesterday had been one of the best days of my life, getting to bring Bee home. And I had stupidly thought going back to the hospital and being told I was pregnant was the worst I would have to deal with today.

I sighed heavily before I responded to Officer Bradley. “It’s been a long day. Can you just get on with it?”

“I warned you all I’d be watching. And then a day later, what do we have? One club burnt to the ground, a shootout on another, and a whole bunch of dead bodies littered around.”

“It’s unfortunate. But it has nothing to do with me.”

“Mmm,” he said with a sly smirk. “Things have a habit of being nothing to do with you, don’t they?”

“Oh, for fuck's sake,” I hissed, rolling my eyes. “Not this again.”

“Yes. This again. You see, after your little threat—”

“Wasn’t a threat.”

“After your little threat,” he continued, as though I hadn’t spoken. “I decided to look into your case a bit more. It’s a fascinating one. Tell me, do you know anything about defensive wounds?”

“Why should I?”

“Well, you were a witness to your dad murdering Alex, were you not?”

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