Page 73 of When It Rains He Pours

Liam. . . Why is Liam on here?

“Do you recognize anyone? If not, that's fine, we just—”

Placing the tip of my finger on Liam's face, I asked. “Why is his picture in here?”

“You know who that is then?”

“Yeah, of course I do, it's Liam Barnes.”

Pointing at the pen, he asked, “Can you circle and initial his picture for me.”

“What for? What's going on here, why do have him in this lineup?”

Pulling his hand back, Detective Glenn pressed the tips of his fingers together. “Glory, I don't how to say this, but Liam is the one who did all this. He's the one who set up the burglary and the fire.”

“What?!” My voice came out loud and angry. “No he isn't, he didn't have anything to do with this! Why would you even think?!”

Hanging his head, the detective frowned. “We have evidence against him and an eye witness to it all. His brother can place him there, Jacob gave us details he could only know if the person responsible told him. Clayton also told us that Liam had been the one who paid him and he's willing to testify to that on the stand.”

“No, no you're wrong. They're both lying to you. Liam didn't do this, Jacob is the one who did this. That's why I came here today, that's what I was going to tell you. Jacob did all this, not Liam.” Jamming my finger into the desk top, I snapped my back straight and glared at him. “And you let Jacob walk out that door, he's free, he's out there and he needs to be stopped.”

Arching a brow, the detective thinned his lips. Pulling out a stack of papers, he slipped them across the desk. “Do these look familiar?”

My eyes darted from him to the papers. “What are these?”

“That is the purchase agreement you signed. Jacob brought it in as proof that you two were working together and his brother didn't like it. Did you sign those documents?”

All the air in my lungs spilled out with disbelief. I thought Liam had torn them up and thrown them away. “I did, but not because I wanted to. Jacob had threatened me, I tried to tell you that before. I thought I didn't have a choice, that I had to sign them in order to make him stop. But Liam ripped them up, he tried to help me, he tried to save my business. Liam saved me, he's the one who pulled me out of that building as it burned around me.”

“Maybe Liam isn't the man you thought he was. Did you ever think of that?”

“Detective Glenn, Liam is exactly the man I thought he was. He's not the man you think he is.” Tilting my head, I studied his face. “Where is he? Where is Liam?”

Leaning forward, his voice was harsh and demeaning. “He's exactly where an asshole like him deserves to be. He's safely locked up behind bars, awaiting trial for what he's done to you.”

No! He didn't do anything!

“You're wrong, you're so goddamn wrong!”

Softening his face, he pursed his lips. “Glory, I understand this is difficult for you to process, and you might not want to hear it. Jacob told me all about how his brother worked you over, but Liam—”

Refusing to let him finish, I snapped. “Liam isn't the bad guy here, Jacob is. I called you and told you he threatened me, he did exactly what he said he would.” Clenching my teeth, the detective looked at me like I was crazy. “What do I have to do to prove it to you?”

“Ms. Daniels, you need to face the facts here. Jacob told me all about how he tried to scare you, and he feels really horrible about it, but he's trying to right his wrongs. And after what Liam did. . .” Pausing, he shook his head as if it was the most awful thing he had ever heard. “Jacob knows his brother is dangerous, he doesn't want to see anything else happen to you.”

“What?!” yelling, I threw my arms in the air. “That's not true! Liam isn't dangerous, Jacob is lying!”

“He gave us proof, Glory, do you have proof that he's lying? Can you give me something tangible?”

“Proof? You want proof?” Arching my brows, I let my eyes steady on his. Shoving the chair back, I jolted to my feet. Veering my stare, I snarled. “I'll get you your fucking proof.”

Storming out of his office, the rage I felt bubbled through my veins, making me more angry than I had ever been before.

I was the victim.

I was the one who had lost everything.

I was the one who had seen the look in Jacob's eyes.

And I was the one who was going to put him behind bars.

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