Page 116 of Saint

“I’ve never cared much about criminal psychology in my line of work.”

“Why’s that?”

Maybe I shouldn’t be questioning the police captain. But given his position, I assumed he would care about the mindset of the people he arrests.

“Because criminals are criminals. They’ll rationalize anything. I say, let the courts do their thing and then lock them up. Feeding into their delusions doesn’t do anyone any good. And no amount of explaining will make what they did right.”

“It isn’t about right and wrong,” I argue, irritated about how little he cares about the people he arrests.

Not to mention, he’s a hypocrite. Proven by the jagged scar down Kole’s face and the worse things I’m sure he’s done.

“Please, enlighten me then, Violet.” A smirk lights in the corner of Captain Evans’s mouth. “Why study a madmanwhen he’s already been found guilty? It’s a waste of time if you ask me.”

I didn’t, not that he cares.

I push my food around with my fork, trying to gather my thoughts. “I’m not trying to undo the system or forgive whatever they did to land themselves in prison. I’m just trying to understand why they did it.”

“Maybe you’re thinking too hard about it.” He narrows his gaze. “Some people are just evil.”

“Some, maybe.” I shrug. “But not everyone. Sometimes a person is raised to not know any different.”

I glance up at Captain Evans to find his gaze already locked on me, and I wonder if he senses that he’s part of the problem.

Beneath the badge and the confidence, I see the man who isn’t who he says he is. The man who took a knife to Kole’s face. The man who taught Kole murder is mercy. A man who molded a criminal himself yet excuses it in the name of Sigma House.

He’s no better than the people he puts away.

“Interesting perspective.” Captain Evans sets down his fork, watching me.

“Speaking of criminals,” Kole cuts into the conversation when I’ve been staring at his stepfather for too long. “Any updates on Liam?”

He stuffs another bite in his mouth. Relaxed, like the subject of Liam isn’t the giant elephant in the room. At least it’s enough to break the tension and shift the subject.

Captain Evans shakes his head, chuckling under his breath. “Not yet. Or, at least, nothing helpful.”

“Why do I sense there’s more?” Kole must not miss his stepdad’s amusement either.

“Oliver Westwood is announcing his candidacy for senator tomorrow.”

My face pinches at Captain Evans’s comment because it seems odd for Liam’s father to be running for office when his son was just reported missing.

“That’s Ian Pierce’s seat,” Kole says.

Declan’s father.

“Exactly.” Captain Evans nods.

Kole’s jaw flexes. “That’s a bold move, considering.”

“Considering what?” I don’t realize I’ve asked it out loud until all eyes are on me. “I mean, besides the fact that Liam’s missing.”

Captain Evans leans back in his chair. “Oliver’s vying for a seat Sigma House gave to Ian Pierce. It’s not a smart move.”

“Why would he do that?”

“I’m sure he has his reasons.”

If I had to guess, Captain Evans knows what those reasons are as his gaze moves to Kole. And I wonder if whatever tension is brewing between Liam’s father and Declan’s relates to the traitors Liam was talking about.

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