Page 63 of One More Chance

Jax hauled Earnest—or his twin—to his feet. “Sounds like there’s lots to talk about.”

The other cop came in, tugging the window climber with him. The suspect muttered, causing the cop to respond, “Shut it.”

High and Tight said, “Sounds like we’re headed to the station.”

The other cop looked back at the door. “There was another guy. He was supposed to follow.” He groaned and pinned Kenna with a stare. “Was he with you?”

“I’ll see if I can find him.” She started toward the door.

High and Tight held out an arm, so she had to stop rather than walk into it. “No one leaves. You can call your friend. They will show up at the station and answer questions.” He glanced at Jax. “Let’s load up and roll out.”

The two cops went to the door first with the guy who’d climbed out the window. He might be some kind of confidential informant…something like that. The kind of guy who did favors for the cops and stayed out of jail. It looked like his luck had run out, and he knew it.

He grumbled all the way to the front door.

High and Tight stepped to the side, glancing once at the gunshot impact on the neighbor’s door and the wall beside it.

“Your buddy did that.” She motioned at Earnest—or Regis—with a tip of her head. “And he blew a hole in his door.”

“Uptain, you put him in the car, then stay here and wait for the sarge. CSU needs to collect evidence and secure theresidence. Make sure we have what we need to confirm the statements.”

Kenna figured he meant that they wanted proof whether she and Jax were telling the truth. But the shooter was a cop, and they had a blue code, so she didn’t begrudge his loyalty.

Even if it was misplaced.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She figured it was Bruce but didn’t pull it out. The guy was morally opposed to talking with the police. Even if it meant that several departments across the country had warrants out for his arrest.

“Copy that, Sandring.” The officer led Earnest’s buddy to their black-and-white patrol car.

“What do you want us to do with Albertson?” Jax asked. “We can escort him to the police station. We’ll follow you there.”

“I’ll call another car for him.”

Jax nodded as if that wasn’t a slight. “Very well.”

“I’m not going in.” He had shaken out of his daze from headbutting her. “I’m not going to the station, and I’m not talking to no one.”

Sandring had him cornered against the wall. “So you have a good explanation for firing at an FBI Special Agent in Charge?”

He whipped around to Jax, his eyes narrow. “I feared for my life.”

“I wasn’t even in your house.” Jax didn’t back down. “You shot through the door at me.”

Sandring grabbed the radio on his shoulder, but before he squeezed the button, he said, “Save it for the interview room.”

Yeah, Kenna’s head was pounding enough she chose to forego listening to reason. She stepped behind Jax and around him so she could stand in front of the twin. “My head feels great. Thanks for smacking it with yours.”

He sneered at her.

“Where are the two kids you took from the medical center? Or should I ask your partner about that? Does he work for Buzard also?” She was on a roll now, no stopping her. “Or is it your twin I should be talking to,Regis?”

The sneer dissipated from his face.

Probably because she’d figured out more than he wanted her too. He wasn’t the man who had taken her blood at that appointment. Maybe he didn’t even know it had happened.

Kenna continued, “I’m guessing he’s the straightlaced one. A better cop than you. You’re the screwup—the hothead who shoots at FBI agents and doesn’t think things through.” She pointed at the patrol car. “Your brother got himself a confidential informant. Some junkie looking for a way out, but you’d rather party with the guy, right? More fun that way.”

He backed up and slammed into the wall but rallied and launched himself at her on a rebound. Jax got in front of her and faced off with him. “Don’t even think about it.”

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