Page 38 of Cornered

“Yeah, just a cover-up. He never paid for that stuff, but it was a way to account for some of the money coming in. Just a small part, of course, but...” She shrugged. “It kept him quiet, according to Benji. And culpable should he ever decide to turn.” She swiped a hand over her hair. “I can’t believe this,” she whispered. “I just can’t.”

James nodded. “I’ll call the ADA.”

He left to contact the assistant district attorney, and Tate turned to focus on Steph. She was sitting quietly while Cherry continued to weep. He couldn’t imagine it. Finding out your whole family was involved in something so awful. And then trying to cover up the murder. He sighed. “I’ll get Steph. We’ll let Cherry sit there and get herself together while James gets in touch with the ADA.”

“Works for me.”

Tate went to the interrogation room, opened the door, and motioned for Steph to join him. When she did, the grief in her eyes hit him. She’d suffered too much of that over the past three days. But at least Brenda and her family would have closure. He touched Steph’s cheek. “I’ll call you and keep you updated, okay?”

“Sure.”

“I was invited to the lake house. Do you think you’re going to go after all of this?”

She shrugged. “Yes. As much as I might want to hide under the bed at the moment, I won’t do that.”

He offered her a faint smile. “Good for you.”

“See you there.” She headed for the lobby.

Tate watched her go for a brief moment, then walked back to let Cherry know they’d have some information for her soon.

He stepped inside. “Hey.”

She kept her gaze on the table.

“I just—” An alarm sounded, cutting him off.

A gunshot followed somewhere beyond the room.

Cherry jerked her head up. “What’s going on?”

Tate ran from the room and locked it behind him while James and Cole rushed past him, headed to the front lobby.

“Stay with her,” Cole said over his shoulder.

“Where’s my family!”

Tate was opening the door to the interrogation room just as the scream ripped through the building.

Cherry jerked. “Mom? Mom!”

“Put the weapon down!”

“Put the gun down!”

“Drop it!”

The shouts echoed over the blaring alarm.

“I want to see my daughter! Just let me see Cherry and I’ll drop the gun!”

Cherry turned pleading eyes on Tate. “Don’t let them kill her.” She yanked at the handcuffs attached to the table. “Let me talk to her! Please!”

After a split second’s worth of hesitation, Tate unlocked her from the table but kept her cuffed. He led Cherry down the hallway, stopping just beyond the lobby where James and Cole were covering the situation, out of the way of any stray bullets.

“Shut that thing off so we can hear,” James said into his radio. The blaring alarm stopped seconds later.

Just beyond them, officers were hidden behind anything that might offer cover. James looked like he wanted to puke. Cole didn’t look much better. And finally Tate saw why.

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