Page 66 of Saving Her Heart
Chapter 14
Jax
The morning after William Thornfield's arrest, I'm at the station filling out what feels like my hundredth form when Hudson walks in with coffee and donuts.
"Figured you'd need these," he says, setting them on my desk. "Kate talked to Kendall and says you haven't been home yet."
"I can't. Too much paperwork." I gesture at the mountain of reports. "Arson, attempted murder, conspiracy, terrorism—the FBI wants documentation of everything."
"The real FBI or the Walking Ladies FBI?"
"Don't joke. Gladys called six times this morning wanting to give her official statement. In person. In her FBI costume."
Hudson laughs. "She's at Hooplas right now, holding court. Telling everyone how the 'FBIs' solved the case."
"They did help," I admit, taking a grateful sip of coffee. "Their information about William Thornfield and Morrison was solid."
"Speaking of which, how's Kendall?"
I check my phone. She texted an hour ago that she was at Building 3, meeting with insurance adjusters and contractors. "She's in full crisis-management mode. Won't stop long enough to process everything."
"Sounds familiar." Hudson gives me a pointed look. "You both need to take a break."
"After the paperwork?—"
"The paperwork will be here tomorrow. Kendall might not be if you keep ignoring her for forms."
He's right, but before I can respond, Captain Ramirez appears.
"Morrison wants to make another deal," he announces. "Says he has information about other properties Thornfield was targeting."
"How many others?" I ask.
"Seven buildings across three counties. All low-income housing or senior facilities."
My stomach turns. "He was going to burn out the most vulnerable. What a fucker."
"And make millions redeveloping the land," Captain Ramirez confirms. "The DA wants you to interview Morrison and then Valerie. You know the case best."
An hour later, I'm sitting across from James Morrison in an interview room at the county jail. He looks terrible—unshaven, red-eyed, his expensive suit replaced with county orange.
"I want full immunity," he starts.
"You're not getting full immunity for attempted murder," I tell him. "But cooperation might get you minimum security instead of maximum."
He considers this. "Thornfield had an entire network going. Construction companies, inspectors, and even a few city council members in other towns. He'd been planning this for years."
"Names," I demand, sliding a legal pad across the table.
Morrison starts writing. The list is longer than expected—two pages of people who were either involved or being groomed for future schemes.
"The buildings here were just the start," he says. "The real money was in Palm Beach County. Waterfront properties he could turn into luxury condos."
"And Valerie?"
"She had no idea about the scope. Thought it was just about getting Kendall fired." He laughs bitterly. "He played us all. Even had plans to frame me for everything if needed."
My fist clenches, but I maintain control. "What about Brad?"
