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“I guess that’s up to her. If she’s cleared as a suspect, then they’ll release his money to her. She can do what she wants.”

“She’s fine here if that’s what she chooses. She’s really good with the abuse victims and kids.” Betty lays her hand on my arm again and squeezes. I count to ten in my head and will myself not to jerk away. “I don’t know what you’re feeling right now, Malakai, but you need to talk to someone. I’m always here to lend an ear.”

“Thank you,” I say hoarsely.

I want nothing more than to get rid of this feeling so I can hug the woman I love, and I can feel myself getting there. Hell, I’ll even settle for being able to hug Sean.

I just want my life back.

Chapter14

Cole

We sit down in the small kitchen with Vivian, and she nervously looks at us. Not that I blame her.

Axel introduces us, and Sean leans forward, bracing his arms on the kitchen table. “I’m Shadow.”

Her eyes widen, and she places a shaky hand against her mouth. “You saved my life. I know that’s not why you were there, but I’ll never forget that.”

“I’m just sorry that it took that long. We were wondering if you had any idea where Brady might be hiding.”

“It happened, and that’s all that matters to me. The only place I know about is where you found Chelsea. How is she?”

“She’s doing really good, thanks to you,” Axel answers. “But we need to find him. Can you tell us anything?”

When Ari and his team went in, they searched everywhere for even the slightest clue before it went up in flames. But now that I have doubts in my mind about them, they might not give us anything if they did find it. Ari’s been loyal from the start, and I don’t want him to be the information leak, but at this point, we have to point fingers at everyone to keep Chelsea safe.

Vivian shakes her head. “They were always secretive about things. I really wish that I could tell you more.”

Sean looks at his phone and slides it across the table to me to read the message pulled up on his screen.

Kai

Vivian has been cleared as a suspect. Ask her about a guard named Brickman. He covered for her.

I nod and look at her. “What can you tell us about Brickman?”

She fidgets nervously with her hair. “He’s been trying to find a way to get me out after he figured out what was going on. He started about a year ago.”

“Do you have a first name?” Axel asks.

“Oliver.”

“Are you sure he’s on your side?” I ask.

“I trust him as much as I can trust anyone. Do you think he knows something?”

“I don’t know,” Sean answers. “But we have to cover all bases to keep Chelsea safe.”

“And he might know something that he doesn’t even know is important,” I add. “We’ll leave him alone if he’s honest.”

“I wish I could tell you more about Brady.”

Axel leans back in his chair. “Does Charlie Norris sound familiar to you?”

“He’s been to the house a few times. Peter said he was a business associate.” So Charlie had his claws into Judge Stinson, and that’s probably how he recruited Brady in the first place. It looks like Nolan has another name to add to his never-ending list of people to research.

“Did they ever talk about anything in front of you?” She shakes her head. “Have you ever heard the names Baxter, Roland, or Amber mentioned?”