"You need to find out who that somebody is,” Shane demanded. “Just give me a name, and I'll take care of them."
"No, you won't. I'll handle this.”
"Great. We'll do it together. Just like old times."
"Who owned the vault?”
"I don't know who owned the vault. I don't know what you're talking about.”
"Look, I can't help you if I don't know what's going on.”
Shane's eyes filled, and the tears spilled over. He tried to contain his rage, still pacing back and forth, looking for something to break.
"How long do you think it's going to be before they catch up with you, or your sister?”
Shane grimaced.
“Your brother was beaten and tortured,” I continued. “No telling what they got out of him.”
He didn’t like what I was saying. "You’re way off base. I didn't steal anything from anyone.”
"Cut the shit. You had a man on the inside. James. Garrett helped you pull it off. Wade hacked the system. I don't know if it was you, Wade, or Garrett that shot James. Even if you didn't pull the trigger, you're an accessory to murder. If you didn't shoot James, your best option is to come clean now, turn state’s evidence, and I'll see to it that you get the best deal possible."
Shane grit his teeth and glared at me. "I told you," he said in a low growl. "I didn't rob anyone. And I haven't killed anyone in a long time.”
We stared each other down for a long moment.
"If that's the way you're gonna play it, I’d pack your things, get Riley, and get out of town. Because whoever you stole from is a heavy hitter. And they’re pissed off.”
Shane said nothing. His eyes darted about as he contemplated the situation. “When did this happen?”
“Early this morning, between 2 and 4:00 AM.”
Shane moved to the window and peered outside. He mumbled to himself, “Shit.”
“What is it?” I asked, joining him.
“Nothing.”
I looked out. A black sedan with dark-tinted windows had pulled to the curb across the street.
Concern filled Shane’s face.
“Who is that?”
“Why don’t you go ask them?” he snarked.
I gave him a flat look. "If I search the house, what am I going to find?"
"You’re not going to find anything, because you’ve got no probable cause to search. Keep talking like that, and I'm going to ask you to leave."
We stared at each other for a moment. Then I nodded to JD, and we headed for the door. Before I stepped outside, I said, "Watch your back."
"Always."
JD and I stepped onto the porch, my hand on the grip of my pistol, still in its holster. Ready for anything, we marched down the walkway, passed through the gate, and continued across the street toward the sedan. I flashed my badge as I approached.
The driver put the car into gear and sped away.
