Page 35 of Cornered

Concerned at the ring of defeat in her tone, Tate turned to look at her.

She met his gaze and narrowed her eyes. “But if you needme, I’m here. You know. Just if you need me to talk to Cherry. I think she’d listen to me. Benji won’t. You have to take him first. If you do that, Cherry will want to protect him.”

Tate nodded, relieved her momentary surrender to the stress seemed to be gone. “Noted.” Reluctantly, he left her and followed Cole through the open gates. They headed for the office, keeping in contact via comms. Tate joined Nathan Carlisle, one of the other detectives, and waited until everyone was in place. Steph’s brother James was there with his team and gave the signal that they were ready.

“Benji’s in the back office,” he said. “We have eyes on him through the window.”

“Copy that. Where’s the sister?”

“Reported to be on the grounds near the zip line tower. Can I get an affirmative?”

That came and Cole said, “Take the brother in the office first. Once he’s contained, on my signal, take the sister.”

“Copy.”

Tate and Nathan walked up to the office door and Tate tried the knob. Once it twisted, he pushed the door open, then swept inside with Nathan right behind him. “Hands in the air.” He kept his voice low, not wanting to alert the man in the back room.

The woman at the desk gasped and shot her hands up while her wide eyes darted to the closed door that had been confirmed to be Benji Bolin’s location. Tate held a finger to his lips and motioned for her to come out from behind the desk and join him.

She gulped, nodded, and did as told. Nathan moved to the door and glanced at Tate. Tate nodded. Nathan pushed the door open and Tate swept inside, weapon on the man at the desk.

Benji yelped and jumped to his feet, backpedaling toward the exit behind him.

“Police, Benji! Freeze!”

But he kept going, throwing open the door only to come to an abrupt halt when he stared down the barrels of the officers there. “What is this?” He spun back to Tate and Nathan. “What’s going on?”

“On your knees. Cross your legs at the ankles and put your hands behind your back. Now!”

Benji looked like he might run, but after a few seconds of hesitation, lowered himself to the ground and did as instructed.

“You’re under arrest for the murder of Brenda Hudson, conspiracy to commit murder, and a host of other charges,” Cole said.

“No, wait, you don’t understand.” He looked up over his shoulder at Cole. “No one meant for Brenda to die. It was an accident.”

“Of course it was. That’s what your father said too.”

The man paled. “My father?”

“Yep.”

“Where’s your mother?”

He shrugged. “I haven’t heard from her since they got back from Aspen. She hates this place. Only tolerates it because it pays for her lifestyle.”

“Fine. We’ll find her with or without your help. Let’s go. Your sister will be joining us shortly.”

“Cherry?” He laughed. “Are you kidding me? She won’t tell you anything.”

“Not a bit kidding. And guess we’ll find out if she has anything to say or not.”

“I’m not saying anything more. I want a lawyer.”

“Smartest thing you’ve said so far.”

SIXTEEN

STEPH BOLTED OUTof the car when she spotted officers escorting a handcuffed Cherry to the nearest cruiser. Other workers had been rounded up, but she’d ignored them. There were only a few customers and they’d been cleared and escorted to their vehicles to leave the area.

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