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Bernard had been taken to be interviewed before Smith came out.
“You’re creating a war with the wrong people, Childs,” Reuben said.
“Is that a threat?” her cousin snarled.
“Of course not,” she said, stepping forward.
Smith ran his cold gaze over her. “What happened to your arm? Why are you moving stiffly? Did he hurt you?” He stepped around the desk as though he was going to move between her and Reuben.
But Reuben would never stand for that. He drew her in against him, angling himself so he was protecting her.
Smith gave him a warning look. “Give my cousin to me.”
“No.”
Smith ground his teeth together. “Give her to me, walk away from her now, and I stop looking into Alejandro. And his wife goes free.”
Faith sucked in a breath. That was a crazy offer. She knew Reuben wouldn’t take it, of course. But Smith clearly thought he would.
“Oh, you’ve read this situation wrong,” Reuben told him. “I would do anything for Faith. She. Is. Mine. Cat is going to walk free anyway because your whole case is ridiculous. If you think I won’t sue you and your department, you are very mistaken. I will make your life hell. I will make it look like you set up a witness to frame Rafael and then you attacked an innocent woman. A woman who survived a cult, no less. Cat has some friends in high places, did you know that?”
Smith just glared at Reuben.
“I didn’t hurt Faith,” Reuben stated. “I would never hurt Faith. She was injured because Abel Venturo basically put a price on her head.”
“What?” Faith said.
“The crime boss that died in prison a while back?” Smith asked, looking confused.
“Yeah. Venturo wanted to ruin my life by taking away someone I love. He was using his cousin’s kids to make sure that happened. He promised them that whoever ruined my life got his money.”
“So, they’re after Faith?” Smith asked.
“One of them pushed her into oncoming traffic,” Reuben said.
“What the fuck?” Smith roared. “Your mother didn’t tell me that.”
“I, um, haven’t told my family,” she said.
“Faith, they love you,” Smith told her. “They’re worried about you.”
Uh-huh.
She nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell them or come to visit you. I’ve been . . . ashamed. But Reuben has been helping me grow my self-confidence. To not take everything on as my fault. He’s a good man and I love him.”
Smith swallowed heavily, pacing back and forth. “Do you know who these people are who are after Faith?”
“A brother and sister. The sister is the one who washed up on the banks of the Hudson. Not from anything we did. We think her brother killed her to make sure she couldn’t collect the money after she attempted to kill Faith.”
Smith stopped and stared. “I can’t stop coming after De Leon.”
“I understand.” Reuben nodded.
“But I will let his wife go. I’m already under pressure. The commissioner received a call from some FBI agent.”
“Right,” Reuben replied. “You also realize that this witness could have misdirected you on purpose.”
“I am aware of that. I want this guy who is after Faith. What is his name?”
