“Release the suspects immediately.”

Logan lowered his phone and slid it back into his pocket.

He looked at Jake and let out a soft, dry chuckle.

“I told you, big brother,” Logan said, stepping closer to the door.

“You’ve been gone a long time.”

“Things work differently around here now.”

Deputy Miller looked at the paperwork in his hand, then at the radio.

“Dispatch, these individuals locked a mother and infant out in a storm,” Miller argued.

“The order comes directly from the top, unit two-four,” the dispatcher replied.

“Release them.”

With a heavy sigh, Miller reached for his key ring.

He unlocked Walter’s cuffs first, the metal releasing with a sharp snap.

Walter immediately pulled his hands free, rubbing his thick wrists.

He glared at Jake with pure, unfiltered hatred.

“You won’t set foot in this house again,” Walter said, his voice dangerously low.

Patricia was freed next, her face pale but her eyes burning with triumph.

“Get them out of my sight,” she told the deputy, gesturing toward Jake and me.

Jake took my arm, his grip firm but gentle.