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“Someone has tried to kill her. Several times. We thought you might know something about that.”
“How could I? I’ve been locked up for the last three years.”
Justin blew out. The scent of peppermint filled the room. It churned Cole’s stomach. He never understood why the state allowed prisoners to buy e-cigarettes from the commissary. “Just because you haven’t directly attacked Olivia doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible. We’ve done our research, Justin. Fifty grand was moved from your checking account six weeks ago into an off-shore account.” Cole locked gazes with the other man. “You hate Olivia. Aaron gave her all his savings, and after his death, you confronted her about it. Witnesses testified that you screamed she’d stolen money you were supposed to inherit after Aaron died.”
“And?”
“You attacked her, the police got involved, and they discovered a whole lotta drugs on you, which landed you here. In prison. It’s all her fault and I bet sitting in a concrete cage has given you lots of time to think about how to get even. You paid someone to kill Olivia.”
Justin’s mouth hardened. “Nice little story you got going there, but it ain’t true.”
“Really?” Eli arched his brows. “Then what was the fifty grand for?”
Justin shrugged. “Some guy I know is buying land in Brazil. It’s cheap, but by the time I get out of here, it’ll be worth something more. Nothing wrong with investing, is there?”
“How did you move the money?”
“I gave my old lady power of attorney. She took care of it.”
His “old lady” was an on-again, off-again girlfriend. “No one has seen or heard from Caroline in weeks. Do you know where we can find her? It would help if she could confirm your story.”
“Naw, man.” Justin’s chains rattled as he lifted his cuffed hands. “In case you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been out and about. But when you find Caroline, let her know I’m looking for her.” He flashed a sharp grin filled with malice.
Cole’s stomach sank. He suspected Caroline was dead. Murdered, most likely, but they had no way of proving that. It was possible she’d run off, just as Justin said. He prayed that was the case. “What’s the name of the man you gave money to?” He lifted his brows. “Your friend, the investor.”
Justin’s gaze narrowed. “I’ll keep that information to myself.”
“That’s within your rights.” Cole shrugged. “But I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
“Why not?”
He moved forward to rest his hands on the back of a chair. The metal was icy against his heated skin. “Because we’re building a case against you, Justin. We know you’re involved in these threats against Olivia. Attempted murder charges bring serious time. We’re talking twenty-five years to life. Now, if you give us the name of the person you hired, we can work out a deal.”
Justin jabbed a stubby finger at his own head. “Are you stupid? I already told ya. I ain’t got nothing to do with the attacks against Olivia.”
“You threatened her. That’s how you ended up in here in the first place.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t make me a killer. I was mad about Aaron giving her his money, sure. My brother was a world-class fool when it came to Olivia.” Justin smirked. “Aaron never had his life together, but he always lectured me about my choices. The idiot.”
His hatred for Aaron and Olivia was barely concealed. It bubbled under the surface. Coupled with the missing fifty grand… yeah, Cole wasn’t buying that Justin wasn’t involved in the threats against Olivia. Problem was, they didn’t have any proof. Justin hadn’t had a visitor in months, and the only person he called was his attorney.
Cole was convinced the notes were deliberately planted to make it appear as though Olivia was being stalked. It was a cover-up designed to keep law enforcement looking in the wrong direction. A distraction from the real motive. Revenge.
But how had Justin pulled it off? The only logical conclusion was that he’d hired someone who’d been in prison with him. Thousands of inmates circled through the prison every year. It would take time to identify a potential suspect. They needed a name.
“Olivia hasn’t crossed my mind in years,” Justin leaned back in his chair and took another drag of his e-cigarette. “I’m busy surviving in this joint. Counting down the days until I get out. After that, I’m starting my life over far away from Serenity and everyone there.”
Cole chuckled. “You expect me to believe that you haven’t thought about Olivia in years? The woman who put you behind bars.” He leaned down until he was hovering over Justin. “This isn’t going away. I won’t stop until I find everyone involved, and once I prove you were a part of it, you’re going to spend the rest of your natural life behind bars. Last chance, Justin. Give us the name of the man you hired. End it now.”
The younger man glared up at him. His expression was twisted with leashed anger, but a flicker of something flared in his dark eyes. A need for vengeance. Bloodlust. Justin’s mouth curled up. “You don’t scare me, ranger.” He moved into Cole’s space, challenging him. “If you had anything solid, we wouldn’t be talking.”
Cole straightened and then glanced at Eli. “This is a waste of time.”
“Sure is.” Justin smirked. “These attacks on Olivia, they’re a serious concern. One thing I’ve learned in prison is that once you’re a target, it doesn't stop, so you’d better get to work solving the case. Tik tock, ranger.” He met Cole’s gaze. “Olivia’s days are numbered.”
TWENTY-ONE
The wedding went off without a hitch.
