Jason shoved open the door to Rowan''s holding room. Inside, Rowan was convulsing on the bunk, two officers struggling to keep him still.

The ce was a wreck-vomit sttered across the floor, the cot pushed sideways.fn1d3b Newest update provided by F?nd-Novel/fn1d3b

One officer gripped a syringe, ready to inject.

"What''s in that?" Jason snapped, snatching the syringe away. "Who said you could do this? Why isn''t he at the hospital?"

"It''s just a sedative. He''s too slippery. We can''t risk taking him out," the officer replied, a little defensive. "Orders from up top."

Jason didn''t waste time. He shoved the officer aside, ncing at Hank, who''d juste in. "Go get the car. We''re taking him to the hospital. I''ll take the heat."

"Jason, we don''t have clearance. If something happens, you can''t cover for this

But Jason was already clicking open his handcuffs, snapping one end onto himself and the other onto Rowan. The room went quiet.

He shot the others a hard look. "Out of the way."

With Rowan now literally attached to him, escape was off the table. The officers had nothing left to argue.

Hank jumped in to help, and together they half-carried, half-dragged Rowan out and raced to the hospital.

Jason''s move set off a firestorm. His colleagues were furious, and his boss was definitely going to be breathing down his neck.

He hadn''t been in Einsberg long, and now he''d handed his superiors the perfect excuse toe after him for insubordination.

After a frantic round in the ER, Rowan pulled through. Hey in bed, wiped out.

Jason stayed close. That''s how he noticed the scars running all over Rowan''s body—raw, ugly things that made even a tough cop like Jason wince.

People liked to say scars were a badge of honor for men. Truth is, no man actually wants to get cut up.

Rowan looked at him, lips quirking in a half-hearted smirk. "Thought this was it for me."

"The doctor says you were poisoned. What happened?" Jason asked. "No way someone inside would risk poisoning you. That''s too obvious."

Rowan just nced at him, saying nothing.

Jason''s voice turned sharp. "Rowan, if Autumn did anything wrong, thew will deal with her. Don''t try any tricks. Don''t y games."

It was clear this wasn''t a simple poisoning. Otherwise, Rowan would never have survived long enough for Jason to get there.

Only one thing made sense-Rowan had done this to himself, timing it so Jason would find him.

Rowan just shrugged. "I don''t know what you''re talking about. Ate dinner, stomach started hurting, thought I was done for."

He''de in with the pills already hidden, swallowing them on purpose to drag Autumn into the mess.

If he copsed in custody, all eyes would turn to her. If things blew up, not even Mr. Walker could protect her.

"Rowan." Jason''s tone was serious.

"You really think the police are clueless? If you die in there, you''re just giving Anastasia a lifetime of guilt. That''s not helping her. You actually leverage before Now? You''re just giving them an excuse to call it suicide and close the case."  s

had some

Hearing Anastasia''s name, Rowan''s eyes flickered with a faint spark.

He looked at Jason. "Can you really promise I''ll be safe in there?"

Jason went quiet.

Rowan let out a dry chuckle. "I''m gonna try to get some sleep. Haven''t had a decent night in a long time. With you around, maybe tonight I can."

He closed his eyes for real this time, drifting off.

Jason undid the handcuffs and stepped out for a smoke.

Hank was waiting outside, worry written all over his face. "Jason, the station''s been calling nonstop. They want you back this is bad. Mr White already had it out for you, and now you''ve given him a reason to go after you. Maybe call Mr. Taylor? See if he''ll back you up?"  s

“You stay here and watch Rowan. I''ll call Mr. Taylor."

Jason''s current boss was Mr. White. Mr. Taylor was his old chief, the one who''d gotten him transferred because people didn''t want him digging into Anastasia''s case. After what happened tonight, ever Mr. Taylor might not be able to help.  s

“Just call him, Jason. Exin the whole thing," Hank urged, hopeful.

Jason walked to the end of the hallway before dialing. He got straight to the point. "Sir, I need to know-am I still allowed to work Anastasia''s case or not?"