Levi's expression goes slack. “You’re not making sense.”
“Someone threatened us in order to get her to come back.” My words stumble over each other to get out of my mouth.
Santiago's voice turns thunderous. “Who?”
Shaking my head, I let out a tired breath. “I don’t know, and neither does she.”
“We’re going to need to get a look at those texts.” Levi insists.
“Here.” I hand over my own phone, having taken pictures of Blake’s exchange with the culprit.
Santiago snags my phone from my hands, and he and Levi read the messages together. Their expressions range from murderous to shocked.
When they’re done, Santiago states the obvious. “This guy lured her to Riverbend Trailer Park.”
“Yes,” I confirm, reaching for my phone as Santiago returns it to me.
Levi tilts his head at me, “You gave her shit for this, didn’t you?”
I roll my neck to relieve some of the tension. “Of course, I did. She should’ve told us from the beginning.”
Santiago gives me a sharp look. “If you were in her shoes, would you say something?”
“I don’t know.” I grind the words out between clenched teeth.
Levi cocks a brow. “Then maybe give the woman a break.”
Santiago’s expression is smug. “I’m actually flattered. She’s been protecting us this whole time like a damn rottweiler.”
“More like an innocent doe,” I mutter.
Santiago points to me. “I’m telling her you said that.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“While we’re on the subject of bad news, you need to see this.” Levi snags the newspaper from the counter behind him and tosses it to me.
Flipping it open, the bolded headline catches my eye.
Vigilante Justice in Evergreen Falls
My gaze flits over the article. “How did Emmett figure it out?”
Emmett Bailey is a writer for the Evergreen Falls Gazette. It’s a small newspaper, but everyone in town reads it.
Santiago rubs his chin. “Does he have access to the police reports?”
Returning the paper to Levi, I pace the kitchen, tracing the same path repeatedly. “He shouldn’t because it’s an ongoing criminal investigation.”
Returning to his seat, Levi taps his fingers on the counter as he thinks out loud. “Did someone talk to him?”
Stopping in my tracks, my eyes narrow on him, insulted by his insinuation. “Are you saying one of my deputies talked to the press?”
Levi ignores the hint of a threat in my question and pushes further. “Is it possible?”
“No.” My answer is exact and cold.
“Then who?” Santiago questions as he takes his seat next to Levi.
