Page 102 of Long Road Home

The lawyer’s eyes lit. “Is that so?”

She turned to the teen. “Reuben Merrington, this is Lucas Amrand.”

The kid flushed, tugging off his wool cap and holding it in his hands like he wanted to wring it dry if it’d been wet.

She continued, “And those men would like to talk to your boss”—probably his father—“about borrowing the helicopter.”

Pilsborough turned the rolling chair to the right, flashing the silver star of a marshal’s badge on his belt, and Destain did the same. Jim had his jacket off, and was peering at the wound on his arm, his shirt sleeve rolled up.

The lawyer said, “I’ll have him call this office.” He waved Reuben into the conference room. “Let’s talk.”

The door closed.

Kenna turned to Rayland, feeling the pull of a smug smile on her face. “Tell me, Deputy Rayland…” She crossed the room to his desk.

The deputy looked seriously unhappy.

She’d thought he was a good guy back when Stan Tilley had been taking photos of her, and she’d been tackled. Maybe she’d hit her head too many times the past few days, and she’d lost the instincts she had when she had her wits about her. What else had she missed? Despite that worry, it seemed as though God had it all in hand.

Reuben was here. Jim would get to Chicago. To her left, Paulette walked in, already removing her coat. “Let me guess, I missed all the good stuff.”

“Maybe not.” Kenna glanced at Rayland. “Why are you so convinced that Forrest is guilty? Did the test results on the pastor’s body even come back yet? Is it confirmed he was poisoned, or definitely murder?”

“She’s guilty.” Rayland stared her down, despite the room full of feds and his boss watching.

“Says who?” Surely not his crackpot detective work.

“All those books about murder. Of course, she’s going to kill one day!” Rayland’s voice rose. “She probably thought shecommitted the perfect crime and she was going to get away with it.”

“I’ll admit, it was clever making it look like natural causes. And her being across town when it happened.” She spoke calmly. As if this kid wasn’t unhinged and nuts. “That was smart.”

“You both probably planned it together.” Rayland pointed at her. “All your knowledge of investigations and murder. I bet you’re guilty, too!”

“Son.” Gingrich stepped between them. “Get in my office. Now.”

Destain smirked, watching Rayland stomp like a kid called to the principal’s office.

Kenna headed to the coffeepot and poured a healthy amount. “What’s for breakfast?”

Jax grinned. “Don’t get hangry. I have to pick it up.”

“There better be bacon.” What had he even ordered?

“You think I don’t know that?” His tone softened, as did his expression. “Twenty minutes, I’m heading across the street to pick it up. For all of us.”

Paulette glanced between them. “Oh, is this him?”

“Huh?” Kenna nearly sloshed coffee over the side of the mug but managed to save the day.

“I’m telling Kobrinsky. He wanted to meet your guy if he showed up.” Paulette headed for the front desk.

“Anything else?” Destain asked. “Or can we talk about how to get to Chicago?”

Kenna sat on a desk over by Jax. “Hopefully, the lawyer’s father calls soon and he can get you guys a ride.”

Destain headed for the coffee. “Already got an email. They’re sending the chopper in an hour, so we’re here until lunch.”

Kenna glanced at Jax. “We need to talk about StanTilley.” Which would at least distract her until she could go tell Forrest that she would be released soon. Right now, she wouldn’t be able to temper her hope with doubts enough to keep from getting her hopes up.

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