Trying not to let her dislike of the man skew her perception, Alyssa considered the possibility that Mack was involved, that he’d murdered his brother and sister-in-law and kidnapped Addis and Emerson. But why? Something didn’t add up. Like the man himself had pointed out, he was smart, and it showed in the way he’d gotten most of his guilty clients acquitted. ‘I tend to agree with Cord. Mack knows the ropes, so it stands to reason he’d never be this sloppy.’

Almost as if he was discussing the weather and not a murder case, Cord said, ‘On the other hand, remember what Mack said Friday morning about “not all killers being evil”? Like he was trying to defend the person responsible for murdering his brother and sister-in-law and kidnapping his niece and her best friend?’

Sandra shot out of her seat and began to pace. ‘Of course! Mack might normally be more cautious if he’s involved. But think about the crime scene: the ferocity with which Gabriel Kensington was slaughtered painted a picture of someone in a passionate furor, so it’s possible he wasn’t thinking clearly.’

Sandra was so excited, Alyssa hated to burst her bubble by playing devil’s advocate. ‘I see what you’re saying,’ she said, ‘but there’s one problem with that theory – Dr. Sharp mentioned Gabriel was killed by someone of short stature.’ She tipped her head at the surveillance footage. ‘That description most definitely doesn’t fit Mack Kensington. Which isn’t to say he’s not involved, but with his occupation, we need to tread lightly.’

‘Not to mention we don’t have a motive yet,’ Cord added.

The photograph of a smiling Addis and Emerson standing knee-deep in the Rio Grande, arms around each other, flashed briefly in Alyssa’s mind. If it turned out Mack did have the girls, he’d have no choice but to get rid of them. He couldn’t afford to do anything else.

As if she’d pulled the thoughts straight from her head, Sandra voiced aloud what Alyssa was thinking. ‘If Mack’s involved, Addis and Emerson are as good as dead.’ She sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly before forging ahead. ‘He’d have no choice but to kill them because they’d ruin him.’

Her gaze lit on Cord’s face before immediately darting away. ‘I don’t think he could even risk’ – she cleared her throat – ‘selling them.’ Cord’s head snapped around, and Sandra apologized. ‘I’m sorry. I’m just thinking out loud. If he does anything except kill them, there’s always a possibility that they could escape.’

‘And then life as he knows it is over,’ Cord finished.