Page 51 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

I sighed. “Just sit down and talk to me. It’s been a hell of a time in here, and I’m exhausted.”

She glared at me before she composed herself. She nodded at someone at the door, who then closed it loudly behind me. I forced myself not to jump, even though the clang of the door startled me. I was much too tired to be in control of my faculties, and the last thing I wanted to do was show that this place was wearing me down.

Because that’s what these damn cops wanted to do.

“I’ve done some more research into your predicament,” she said.

I nodded slowly. “Great. What did you find?”

She sat down in front of me. “Well, your father’s lawyers are working overtime. So I’ve been doing the same thing. But I first want to ask how you’re holding up in here. Especially with the information you just gave me.”

I shrugged. “My wrists are pretty sore.”

“Anything else?”

“My head hurts.”

“I can see about some Tylenol for you. Have you gotten a phone call yet?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“I’ll be talking to them about that, too. They should at least be offering it to you.”

I shrugged. “I’ll take my men being safe at this point.”

She reached for her briefcase. “Which brings me to some of the things I’ve dug up.”

I sighed. “I know, I know. I have a feeling my guys are taking some heat for this, too.”

She placed her briefcase on the table. “Yes. They are. There have been multiple arrests, both at your house and at a bar. Over a dozen at this point.”

“My brother--”

She pulled out files. “--is safe and sound at home, as far as I’m aware. Though I can’t say the same thing about your friend Rupert. Things aren’t looking good for him at all, Max.”

“Fucking hell.”

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But his fingerprints are all over the gun that matched ballistics from your father that the police found at the estate.”

I blinked. “That gun wasn’t left at the estate. We took it with us.”

She paused. “Oh?”

“Rupert had it with him when we drove away.”

She grabbed a pen. “Interesting.”

“So someone is fucking with us? On my father’s end.”

She nodded slowly. “Seems like it. But please. Keep your voice down. I know when I’m part of a conspiracy. And believe you me, you’re wrapped up in one. Someone is making sure you go down for this, Max. They’re rushing. They’re working within the time constraints of the law. Which is why they’re holding you here for twenty-four hours. That’s within their right, but if the police

don’t charge you, they’re supposed to release you.”

“Time kind of blurs in here. You got any idea when that twenty-four hour point is?”

She looked at her watch. “Four hours from now. But I know they sent out a request to hold you for a maximum of ninety-six hours since you’re accused of aiding and abetting, as well as attempted murder.”

I groaned. “Okay. So what happens after the ninety-six hours?”

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