Page 32 of Mine to Protect

“Do you have it?”

“Why is it so important?” Rhett asked.

“I need that key. I can’t let what’s in that safety deposit box end up in the wrong hands.”

“Are you saying the cops are the wrong people?”

“I’m not saying anything other than Jackie and I have a plan, and it’s the only one that’s going to work. It’s also not illegal,” Chris said. “Well, notthatillegal.”

“What about the counterfeit money that we found in your wallet?”

“Planted.”

Rhett inched closer to the water. He stared out at the river. While alligators were everywhere, it was rare that anyone saw one. Maybe a couple of miles up the river where there weren’t any houses. But today, he spotted a pair swimming toward Trapper Joe’s. Well, itwasmating season.

“By whom, and why would they do that?”

“It’s a long story, and we don’t have time for this. I can’t have what’s in that safety deposit box made public. Not yet. It has to be done my way. So, if you or the cops have the key, I need your word that you will protect the contents.”

“Come to my house now. If you explain what’s in there and why it’s important, I’m sure I can talk the police into keeping it private. I am the son of the chief.”

“So I found out,” Chris said. “But I can’t afford to be arrested or brought in for questioning. Can you please tell me if you have the key?”

“I only want to help. That’s the truth,” Rhett said. “We have the key.” His mother would have his fucking head on a platter and serve it to the alligators for lunch.

“I’ll be at your place in an hour.”

The phone went dead. Rhett lowered his cell from his ear and stared at it. The man he’d just spoken to wasn’t someone strung out on drugs. He hadn’t slurred his words, and his message had been loud and clear.

Rhett tapped on the app. He’d been on the phone long enough to get a location within about a three-mile radius but not precise coordinates.

It was close enough.

He zoomed in on the map. It appeared that Chris and Jackie were about forty minutes south of Lighthouse Cove. If Chris were smart—and Rhett was beginning to think Shelby’s brother was smarter than he’d given the guy credit for—he’d be hitting the road now so he could sneak into the neighborhood.

Though that would be hard since it was gated with a guard at both sides.

He’d have to wait this one out. There was no point in trying to scramble to get someone to see if they could locate Chris now.

“Hey, Siri, call Emmerson.”

It rang once.

“Hey, bro. What’s up?”

“I spoke with Chris,” Rhett said.

“Shelby’s brother? That’s big news.”

Rhett glanced over his shoulder. Shelby stood on the other side of the sliding glass door. His heart tightened, but he was glad that she’d listened to his request and had gone inside. “He says he’s going to be at my place in an hour.”

“That changes things.”

“It gets more interesting. He also told me that he needs whatever is in that safety deposit box, but he wants the contents protected. Something about it not going public.”

“What does that mean?” Emmerson asked.

“I’m not exactly sure, but he’s adamant that he hasn’t done anythingtooillegal, and that someone—he didn’t mention who—planted the counterfeit money.”

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