Page 39 of Imogen

“I guess you are here because she has a warrant out for her arrest?” I guess.

Jackson nods. “It came through thirty minutes ago. It hasn’t been processed yet but it’s only a matter of time. We came to give you a warning as a courtesy.”

Imogen clears her throat. “Are you allowed to do that?”

Gray chuckles. “Not really, but anyone who has worked with Evan before would have done the same. Once a police officer, always a police officer.”

“You’ve got yourself in quite the pickle,” Jackson declares, losing the smile.

Imogen holds her hands up. “I swear, I didn’t steal it. My ex stole it for revenge, and he was meant to bring it back by this morning. I went home before coming here and it’s definitely not there. I don’t think he plans to give it back.”

Gray arches a brow. “Your ex has done this?”

She nods. “Yes, but I can’t prove it. I take full responsibility for my part. I knew we weren’t allowed personal visitors on the floor, but he was already at my office door. I didn’t want to cause a scene, and I wasn’t planning on him being there that long since he showed up unannounced at the end of the day.”

“Was he alone in the office?” Gray asks.

“For a split second. He forgot his phone and I had my hands full. I didn’t see what he did in there, but I had no reason to believe he would steal it,” she admits. “Am I going to be in trouble?”

“Not if we can prove he has it,” Gray replies solemnly. “You are lucky he didn’t return it. Proving he had it before you would have been hard to do in court.”

“How can I prove it? I know the law. I know you can’t get a search warrant without cause, and if Dad or someone else goes in there, any evidence will be dismissed.”

“Then we will have to get him to admit it,” I announce, and her gaze falls on me.

“How? If he was going to admit it, he would have done so when we went there on Friday.”

“I’ll set you up with a hidden camera and recorder. It’s old school but effective. Rule twenty-seven states a recording can be submitted to a tribunal. It’s up to them if they think it can be submitted into court,” I answer.

“And it will give us cause to search the premises,” Gray adds. “If it’s there.”

She chews on her lower lip, thinking for a minute. “He has a vent in his room. I think the previous owners wanted it to pass inspection because it’s just a vent cover, covering a small cubby hole. I noticed a piece of paper sticking out of it once, so I shined a light inside. He had a few things inside that he clearly wants hidden.”

The flesh between Jackson’s eyebrows creases. “Why would he hide it to that extreme?”

“I’m part Carter. He will be expecting them to storm his house. He would have hidden it where they wouldn’t think to look,” she replies with a shrug.

She isn’t wrong. The Carters don’t believe in boundaries unless it’s their own.

Gray rubs a hand over his scruff. “I would get that recording and then come down to the station of your own free will. It will help you if this goes to court.”

She glances at her dad. “We’ll have to do it today then. He doesn’t have class,” she explains.

“I’ll get it set up,” Evan offers before turning to the guys. “Thank you for coming here. I appreciate the heads up.”

“We’re just glad the woman on the desk knew who you were. We came here knowing you would be the best person to help her,” Jackson observes.

“I’m coming with you,” I declare.

“You need to go home,” Imogen orders. “You shouldn’t even be out. I’ll drop the paperwork off later if you need it that badly.”

“I’m coming.”

She huffs out a breath. “Dad, are you going to allow this?”

Evan shrugs, unaffected by her outburst. “He isn’t going to be getting in a ring with someone. I don’t see why it would hurt. He’s a grown man. He will let you know if it gets too much. Plus, he’s good with the equipment.”

“Zach might not even admit to anything. It doesn’t need a team,” she cries.

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