Chapter 28

“You do,” she said. “And I know it’s tough, losing somebody who means something to you, but Gideon and Jesse can’t find who did this if you give up already.”

Rina was frowning, and as Emma finished speaking, she glanced to Jesse, as if seeking confirmation that it was okay to take this stranger’s aid.

“She’s right. Why don’t we start at the beginning?” Jesse suggested, pushing down his annoyance and alarm at Emma getting so close to Rina. “You might remember something. Why did you come to Gideon for help to begin with?”

“Because Jules was in over her head,” she replied automatically. “She’s a good kid, but she doesn’t know how to say no. To anybody.”

That much was obvious, Jesse thought. Anybody who ended up hanging on the wall and threaded with wire was clearly in over her head. “Who couldn’t she say no to? Who were you trying to protect her from?”