Angus watched them argue. “This might give us a brief reprieve, but the feds will win eventually.”
“I know,” Jethro said, his shoulders feeling like he was carrying multiple boulders.
“They don’t have enough to arrest you, but…” Angus said, watching as Tate stepped right up into Rutherford’s face.
Crime tech analysts began pouring throughthe front door.
“But they’ll have to notify the SIS,” Jethro finished Angus’s sentence. Which meant hewas going home.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jethro allowed himself to be interrogated by both the feds and the local police for the rest of Tuesday and well into Wednesday morning, once Scott assured him that Gemma’s interview had been concluded for the time being. She was now safe at home, so he sat and answered all the questions he could, denying any involvementin the deaths.
Finally, around dawn on Wednesday, Scott called an end to the questioning and walked him outside to his truck.
The winter chill swept along Jethro’s skin, but it felt goodto be outside.
Scott paused. “This is a reprieve until they finish with the tests on the body. Based on what you’ve told me, I’m surprised the murder weapon hasn’t shownup as of yet.”
Jethro looked at the quiet dark street fronting the police station. “As am I, but Fletcher always has a plan. Your efforts need to focus on Gemma first and me last.” The two of them were providing alibis for each other, which wasn’t great.
Scott nodded, his eyes weary. “I understand. For now let’s both get some sleep. If you’re correct and Fletcher managed to plant DNA on the body, or if the murder weapon is found with your fingerprints, you’ll be arrested and charged very soon. We have to be ready to deal with that.” The lawyer patted him on the shoulder and strode down the icy sidewalk, disappearing into the darkness.
Jethro jumped in his truck and took the long way back to the subdivision, backtracking several times to ensure he wasn’t followed. Finally he made his way home.
Upon entering the quiet house he kicked off his boots and shucked his jacket, already feeling a presence in the other room. Remaining silent, he made his way into the living room, where Ian clicked on a lamp from his position on the sofa.
“Hi,” Jethro said, hisheart sinking.
“Hi,” Ian said.
So this was how it would happen—how they’d drag him back home. Jethro rubbed a hand on his neck. “Where’s Oliver?”
“Snoring away because he stole the whole bed,” Ian said, irritation flashing in his bluish-green eyes.
Jethro inclined his head. “He’s snoring and you’re waiting up? I figured you would’vegotten orders.”
Ian’s expression revealed nothing. “We don’t work for SIS any longer.”
Jethro rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything. If they order you to bring me back, you’re still under obligation. Did they?”
“Yep,” Ian said.
Jethro couldn’t get a bead on his friend. Ian wasn’t a liar, and if he said Oliver was sleeping, the other man was snoozing right now. “Are you planning on waiting until light?” This wasn’t making sense.
“No. We refused,” Ian said easily. “Just thought you should know they have the word out tobring you in.”
Jethro started. “Youcan’t refuse.”
“Just did.” Ian threw off the pink blanket and stood on his good leg.
Jethro’s breath heated. “They’ll ruin you. Without question, your business licenses were just yanked.” The twins had worked so hard onthat business.
“No doubt,” Ian agreed. “Guess we’ll move to this side of the pond with you.” He hopped forward, clapped Jethro on the shoulder, and then kept moving to his bedroom. “We’re family, mate. That matters.” He slipped inside andshut the door.
Jethro stood frozen for a moment, emotion bombarding him. Family. Yeah, he’d known that, but he hadn’t expected the twins to sacrifice everything for him. He tried to regain his edge as he moved to the master bedroom, but exhaustion weighed him down.
Gemma sat up in bed, her eyes wide. “Areyou all right?”
