Mr. Taylor had been Jason''s boss, and more than that, his mentor.

Jason didn''t bother with small talk. He went straight to the heart of it.

If Mr. Taylor was still involved, it meant the case wasn''t dead yet. But if he wasn''t...

Mr. Taylor''s voice came through the phone, calm but evasive. "Jason, you haven''t taken a real break in ages. I just spoke with Mr. White-we''re thinking it''s time you had a long vacation. You''re in your thirties now, you know. Maybe it''s time to start thinking about bigger things in life. Monica''s a great girl. When are you going to let me drink at your wedding?"

He was dodging the real issue, and Jason knew it.

Jason nced out at the city lights flickering against the night. "Sir, if I insist on digging into this, what happens?"

There was a heavy pause. "Jason, you''re still young. Don''t back yourself into a corner."

"Don''t you want to know the truth, sir? If Autumn really is guilty-"

"The intiff dropped the case. That tells you enough. Jason, take a break. Thates from the top."

"Sir, every time something like thises up, you either transfer me or send me on vacation. Maybe try something different next time." Jason frowned. “If I take a case, I see it through to the end. As long as I can face myself in this uniform, that''s enough for me."

"Jason—" Mr. Taylor started, but Jason hung up.

After finishing his cigarette, Jason went back to the hospital room, sent Hank away, then handcuffed himself to Rowan. One sat at the bedside, the othery on the bed. They spent the whole night like that.

Morning came.

Anastasia had no idea Rowan had turned himself in. Herman hadn''t told her-he was worried she''d do something rash.

She only found out when Monica called. Monica didn''t realize Anastasia was clueless and let it slip.

Anastasia was floored. "Monica, say that again. What about Rowan?"

"He turned himself in, Ana. You didn''t know?" Monica faltered, realizing toote. "I thought you''d heard."

If Rowan had confessed, Hanna would know-but even Hanna hadn''t called Anastasia. So she waspletely in the dark.

Now Monica knew. That meant Jason and Herman knew, too. Yet nobody said a word to her.

"Monica, I need to go. We''ll talkter." Anastasia wasted no time. She needed answers from Herman.

She hurried downstairs.

Herman was in the kitchen with the sin the three kids, serving breakfast. When he saw Anastasia, he smiled and kissed her forehead. "Morning, love. The toast is fresh out of the oven. What kind of jam do you want today-tomato or strawberry?" Cóntent belongs to s

The three kids sang out, "Good morning, Mommy!"

Emmie and Nancy''s voices were soft and sweet; Pattie''s was clear and gentle, no longer the rough whisper it had been after she first got her voice back.

"Good morning, Emmie, Nancy, Pattie." Anastasia sat down, turning her gaze to Herman. "Why didn''t you tell me about Rowan turning himself in?"

Herman''s hand stilled mid-swipe with the butter knife. "So, you found out."

"Why did Rowan do it?" Anastasia pressed. "It''s so sudden."

"He wants to pull Autumn down with him." Herman handed her some toast. Now that she knew, there was no point in hiding it. "Get ready, sweetheart. We''re about to go through hell."

"What''s going to happen to Rowan? Will he die?" Anastasia''s voice shook.

She owed Rowan. No matter what, she couldn''t let herself forget that.

"I''ll do everything I can to keep him alive," Herman said softly. "I''ve hired the bestwyer in town. If we can prove Rowan acted in self-defense. and that he turned himself in it. should help a lot belongs

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Trying to reassure her, Herman added, "There was a case not long ago-a son killed someone to save his mother. First trial life in prison. Second trial: five years. You never know how these things will turn out."  s

But even with all that, Anastasia couldn''t shake her guilt. "Does Rowan have anyfn5777 Updates are released by f?ndnovel/fn5777

real evidence against Autumn? He''s never said so before."

Herman''s look was loaded with meaning. "He didn''t before. But once he''s inside, he will."

"What do you mean?"

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