“The local system has a few gears we can grease.”

“Shut up, Logan,” Jake snapped.

Deputy Miller began to lead Walter toward the front door, his hand firmly on the older man’s shoulder.

The wind howled outside, rattling the frosted glass of the sidelight.

Patricia stumbled after them, her leather boots dragging on the hardwood floor.

Suddenly, the deputy’s shoulder radio crackled to life with a loud burst of static.

“Unit two-four, dispatch,” a woman’s voice squawked through the speaker.

Miller paused in the doorway, his hand hovering over his radio.

“Go ahead, dispatch,” Miller said, pressing the button on his shoulder.

“Hold transport on the suspects at the residence,” the dispatcher said.

“We have a call from Judge Albright’s office regarding a jurisdictional conflict.”

Jake stiffened beside me, his jaw tightening so hard a muscle twitched.

“What conflict?” Miller asked, frowning.

“The property in question is currently under federal probate review due to the declared death of the primary owner,” the voice explained.

“An emergency injunction has just been signed by Judge Albright.”

“The arrest warrants are temporarily suspended pending a hearing tomorrow morning.”