Page 6 of The Veteran

“Not anyone I know of who’d actually be in a position to do something about it,” I said. “But I’m very active on social media and I have a blog and a subscription channel. Someone could have taken against me because of what they’ve seen online.”

Detective Lee opened her mouth to speak, but the door open and a uniformed cop appeared in the doorway. “Ma’am, sir, you need to hear this.”

Lee and Hanson both rose to their feet.

“We’ll be back in a moment,” Lee said.

“Okay.” I watched them go, hoping the door might be left open so I could overhear their conversation, but it clicked shut behind them.

To calm myself, I closed my eyes and envisioned a pond with serene waters, surrounded by lush rainforest. I imagined the sound of birds in the trees, and drew in slow, even breaths. I had allowed my mind to become scattered, and I needed to put the pieces back together.

When the detectives reentered, I opened my eyes and offered them a small smile. Hanson’s expression was thunderous, but Lee’s was as stoic as ever.

“Something important?” I asked.

Hanson dropped onto his chair with a groan.

“There was a jailbreak yesterday,” Lee said stiffly. “During a riot. We were aware of it but only just received the list of prisoners that are missing.”

A lead ball settled in my gut. I had an awful feeling I knew where this was going.

“Richard Getty and Johnathan Baker escaped.”

Oh, crap.

KADE

The officer who’d been speaking to Joanna outside the interview room hurried past us as we sat waiting for Sage to emerge, his cheeks flushed and purpose in every step. Other officers also seemed to be buzzing with either nerves or excitement. Something had happened. Something bigger than the murder.

“Excuse me,” Ronan called.

The man glanced over his shoulder, coming up short. Everyone here knew better than to ignore Ronan. “Can I help you, sir?”

“What’s going on?”

The officer looked uncomfortable. “I really can’t say.”

Ronan’s eyebrows shot up. “Do you know who I am?”

Under other circumstances, I might have laughed to hear him sound so high on the instep.

The guy squirmed. “Yes, sir. May I suggest you check the news online?”

Ronan inclined his head. “I will, thank you.”

I grabbed my phone and opened a browser, finding several articles that had been published within the past few minutes. It seemed there had been a jailbreak and someone had leaked it to the press. I clicked on the first article and skimmed the text. It reported that at least five inmates were missing following a riot at the nearby correctional facility. There were no names and the details were scarce. With a huff of frustration, I set the phone aside. I’d hoped the action might have something to do with Sage, but it would seem not. Still, there might be room for King’s Security to become involved in rounding up the missing criminals.

When I looked back at Willow and Ronan to comment on it, my gut tightened. Willow’s breath was shallow, her skin even waxier than before, and the corners of Ronan’s mouth were strained.

“What is it?” I asked, disliking the fact I seemed to be in the dark about something.

“The breakout,” Willow whispered, her moss-green eyes meeting his. “It was at the prison where the men who murdered Sage’s father are being held.”

Of everything I’d thought she might say, that hadn’t even appeared on the list.

“I’m sorry, what?”

Willow searched my face, then frowned. “You don’t know. I thought she’d have told you.”