Page 88 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“You said he was going to hurt someone,” Vale continued. “That helps you, but only if we can show who that someone was.”

Bay’s shoulders tightened. “I’m not saying.”

“Then we have a problem.”

“You don’t understand,” Bay said.

“No.” Vale replied a little louder. “You don’t understand.”

That got her attention.

“If you don’t tell us who you were protecting,” Vale said, “then what you did looks like murder. Not protection. Not defense. Just murder.”

Bay flinched. “That’s not what it was.”

“Then prove it.”

Sabre tried to cut it in, but Vale pressed further.

“If you want me to stand in court and tell a judge you had no choice, then I need something real. A person. A name.”

Bay shook her head. “No.”

Ethan leaned closer. “Was she a minor?”

No answer.

“Was she hurt?”

Silence.

“Was she someone you knew?”

“Stop,” Bay said.

Vale didn’t. “Did he touch her?”

“I said stop.”

“Then give me something I can use.”

Bay’s hands curled into fists. “You’re not supposed to ask like that.”

“I’m supposed to keep you out of prison,” Vale said.

Bay turned to Sabre, angry now. “You said you were going to help me.”

“I am.”

“Not like this.”

Ethan cut back in. “This is exactly how, because right now, you’re the only one who can help you.”

Bay stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I’m not doing this.”

“Sit down,” Vale said.

“No.”