Max weighed the pros and cons to agreeing to such a demand. Was Grant’s sister in danger? Why? Or why did Grant think she was in danger? Rogan had done a background on each principle of MCG Land and Holdings, which included minimal information about Marie Richards, the divorced sister of Stanley Grant, and her two young boys. Public school teacher, no criminal record, no problems with the ex, not living above her means.

But she was Grant’s only living family, and all indications were that he was close to her and his nephews.

“I need her contact information.”

“He wants to know how you’re going to protect her.”

She usually traveled with her associate David Kane, a former Army Ranger who acted as her bodyguard when needed, as well as her research partner. She would normally task him with any protection detail; unfortunately for her, he was taking a vacation in California to spend time with his daughter. After he’d been shot and nearly killed in the spring, his ex-girlfriend had loosened the reins on the custody agreement and David was spending more and more time out west. She had a feeling he’d be resigning soon. On the one hand, she would miss his counsel greatly. She cared deeply for David, he was her closest friend, and she respected him more than anyone. On the other, she wanted him to be close to his daughter, the most important person in his life.

She would tap into Sean Rogan. She didn’t know if he still worked as a bodyguard now that his son was living with him, but if not him, she would trust his recommendation.

“I have someone I can call, but I need to assess the situation. I don’t like games, Mr. Jones, and I really do not like being manipulated. I’ll talk to Ms. Richards and determine whether she feels protection is warranted, and why. We’ll go from there.”

He looked pained, as if he didn’t know what to say.

“Do you have anything to add?”

“I can’t.”

“Do you know why Mr. Grant changed his plea?”

“He told the court that he did not kill Victoria Mills.”

“I know, but why did he confess, then recant?”

“We’re working on his defense now.”

New lawyer, but he wasn’t so by-the-book that he refused to meet with her. And she needed him because he was the access point to Stanley Grant.

“The confession is going to be difficult to suppress,” she said. “He wasn’t coerced, he came in on his own, he wasn’t even a suspect at the time.”

“He said he would make everything clear once his sister was safe.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Mr. Grant believes that.”

She wasn’t going to get anywhere with Jones.

“What time can I talk to Grant tomorrow morning?”

“I— Well, after the arraignment would be—”