Page 113 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

That surprised her. “You think someone is reading motions?”

“People look where they’re told.”

That landed hard too. Sabre stood. “Then I’ll be careful.”

Bay’s eyes filled suddenly, though she fought the tears. “You don’t understand,” she said.

“Then help me understand.”

Bay searched Sabre’s face like she was trying to decide whether hope was dangerous.

Sabre moved toward the door.

Behind her, Bay spoke in a small, cracking voice. “Ladybugs always find their way home.”

Sabre froze.

Chapter 43

Wednesday morning

JP found Victor Hayes in the visitors’ room at Donovan looking older than his rough years should have made him. The man still had broad shoulders, but prison had hollowed everything else. His eyes were tired in a way JP had seen in other prisoners.

Victor sat across from him, looking bored. “Are you back to save my soul?”

“Nope.” JP settled into the chair. “Just here for the part you left out.”

Victor gave a humorless smile. “That narrows it none.”

JP got right into it. “You picked up Hannah, then you made a liquor store stop. You went inside and left the five-year-old girl in the car.”

Victor’s jaw twitched.

“You’ve always denied picking her up, but you did.”

“I told them I didn’t hurt her.”

“That ain’t what I said.” JP leaned forward. “I said you left her in the car.”

Victor stared at his hands.

JP kept his voice flat. “A witness remembers seeing you driving drunk with Hannah in the car. He remembers another car pulling off about the same time.”

That got Hayes’ attention.

“You were drunk,” JP continued. “You were careless. And when you came back, she was gone.”

Victor’s breathing changed.

JP let silence do the work.

Finally, Victor whispered, “I looked everywhere. I thought she was hiding.” The man swallowed hard. “Kids do that. They think it’s a game.”

“She was how old?”

Victor shut his eyes. “I called for her behind the building. In the alley. I checked the bathrooms.” His voice shook now. “Then I saw people watching me. I knew how it looked.”

“So, you drove off.”