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“That’s what I’m trying to do. Shane’s in trouble.”
Her heart seized in her chest. “What do you mean by that?”
Jason’s face fell.
“Tell me,” she demanded. “Don’t hold back.” Not again, Jason. Please. Ope
n up and tell me.
“I have reason to believe he killed McCrae.”
Her mom shook her head defiantly. “I don’t care what you found or how bad it looks. I know my son just as well as I know you, Jason Christopher Wolfe. Shane is no murderer. You know it and I know it.”
“I want to believe that, Alice. I do.”
Phoebe couldn’t wrap her head around what Jason was saying. She felt the old hurt bubble up like acid in her throat. “Why would you say such a thing? We just got Shane back.”
He didn’t answer, but his stare never left her.
Corey’s face darkened. “What makes you think my brother is responsible, Jason? What evidence do you have?”
“I can’t say, but he’s in trouble. I’ll do everything I can to help.”
“Like you did before,” she snapped back. “Don’t do this family any favors, Sheriff. You can go. Now.”
Jason looked resigned to saying good-bye again. “I’m sorry about this. I truly am.”
“Sorry?” All the feelings she’d had when he’d sent Shane away to prison began stinging once again, but this time with even more pain. “I don’t believe you, Jason. Not one damn bit. You’ve been gunning for Shane since he got back in town. You say you think he’s responsible somehow for what happened to Andy but you won’t tell us why. Well, mister, I’m a lawyer. I will use everything in my power to make sure he doesn’t go back.”
“I’m sure you will,” he said quietly.
Why is he doing this again?
“This doesn’t make any sense,” Lucas jumped in, his voice laden with hot irritation. “We only found out about Andy’s location from Brown. How would Shane have found out before us, Sheriff?”
The old bitterness between the brothers was back in full force.
Jason shrugged. “He was in the pen for three years. I’m sure he made some pretty sketchy friends.”
“So? What does that mean?” Mitchell’s face thundered with rage.
“What your brother is suggesting is criminals get intel much faster than law enforcement,” Corey answered. “Even if that’s true, Jason, I still can’t believe Shane would go alone. He would’ve called me first. Mom is right. My brother is no killer.”
“I hope you’re right,” Jason said. “But McCrae was stalking Phoebe. I could see myself putting a bullet through the son of a bitch for your sister. I can understand how your brother could do the same.”
“Just stop. Nothing you can say will change how I feel about you right now. Did you not hear me, Sheriff? I told you to go.” Her heart was being ripped to shreds. She was on the verge of tears, but she would be damned if she shed a single drop in front of Jason. “This is my house and unless you have a warrant, leave.”
“Until McCrae’s murderer is brought in, whether that turns out to be your brother or not, you need protection, Phoebe.”
“I can handle things myself. Get out.”
“Honey, calm down.” Her mom’s gentle gaze locked in on her. “Jason said he’s going to do everything he can to help Shane, and right now, we need everyone. I believe Jason will help us.”
“Mom, please. Don’t.” Arguing with her mother was a no-win endeavor. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Jason, let’s go to your office.” Corey obviously wanted to know more. “I bet together we can work this out. There’s a real killer on the loose, and you and I have the skills to flush out the bastard.”
Jason’s stare never left Phoebe. “I would appreciate your help, Corey.”
