Put everyone on a plane and hide on some isolated island.
How the hell had they done this so quickly?
Were the people the West woman had hired so powerful, so well connected, that they could make something like this happen? And where had the police gotten the proof that it was Diane? Everyone, including himself, had believed it was Owen until he’d gotten the news last night. What piece of evidence had they all overlooked?
“Dad?” Owen’s hysterical voice pierced the fog in his brain. “She’s freaking out. What should we do?”
With supreme effort, Peter pulled himself together.
“Where are they taking her? Get me the precinct number and I’ll meet you there. As soon as I find out what’s going on and what proof they used to make the arrest, we’ll get the best criminal defense lawyer in the Southeast. Just…pull yourself together. Your wife needs you now.”
He noted the information in his phone as soon as Owen gave it to him and pulled himself together. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart. He’d thrown on comfortable slacks and a polo shirt this morning to work from home. He’d better get changed and get his ass in gear. Right now.
* * * *
Peyton and Blaze were eating a late breakfast when his cell rang.
“It’s Rocket. I’ll put it on speaker phone.” He answered and punched the button so they both could hear. “Hey. We’re both on.”
“Good,” his partner said. “The deed is done. The arrest’s been made. Diane Kendrick is on her way to the police precinct.”
Peyton could hardly believe it. “Are you sure?”
Rocket laughed. “I parked across the street and got photos so we can show them to Peyton. What are you doing right now?”
“Just finishing breakfast. Come on over.”
“On my way.”
He disconnected the call and looked at the woman across from him.
“You heard, right?”
Her hands were shaking so badly she could hardly hold her coffee cup.
“I can’t believe it really happened.” She looked across the table at Blaze.
He grinned at her. “Believe it. Rocket’s on his way with pictures.”
She took another sip of coffee then had to set the cup down. “I know you guys have pull with the police commissioner, but—”
“But it wouldn’t have made any difference,” Blaze interrupted, “if the proof hadn’t been solid. There was no disregarding the CCTV pictures. After Rocket gets here and shows us the photos, how about going to the hospital to see Brianne? Maybe telling her about this will help pierce that veil she’s wrapped in.”
Peyton’s stomach turned over. “God, if only that were possible.”
Fifteen minutes later, Blaze opened the door to Rocket, who had a big smile on his face.
“Wait until you see these.” He took a seat next to Blaze. “Let me pull them up.”
Peyton couldn’t take her eyes away from the phone as Rocket scrolled through the shots. The police arriving at the residence of the young Kendricks. Owen opening the door looking disheveled in jeans, a T-shirt and bare feet. Diane behind him, looking equally in disarray. The men entering the house. Everyone leaving, with both Diane and Owen in handcuffs.
“They arrested Owen Kendrick, too?”
“Yes. My guess is he’s going to be charged with covering up a crime. I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter Kendrick will also be facing charges.”
Peyton scrolled through them again and again, as if reassuring herself it wasn’t a mirage. Finally, she looked from Blaze to Rocket then back to Blaze.
“I never would have believed this would actually happen. I owe Galaxy everything.” Then she burst into tears.
“Hey, hey, hey.” Blaze pushed out of his seat and came around to Peyton, pulling her to her feet and holding her against his chest while she sobbed. “I hope those are happy tears.”
She nodded, her face burrowed against his chest, soaking his T-shirt but absorbing the comfort of his body. He stroked her back while she let it all out the tension—the despair, the anger, the panic—everything she’d felt since she got that first phone call. She clung to him until at last she calmed down and looked up at his face.
“Sorry to be such an emotional mess.”
“Not to worry.” His voice was like a warm blanket around her. “You earned a good cry. More than one, as a matter of fact. This has been a rotten time for you and your family.”
She managed a smile as she looked up at him. “I can’t believe you guys actually did it.”
“It was a good team effort.”
She hurried around the table to give Rocket a hug.