“You would have given it to us while you were driving there yourself,” Scarlett said.

Diesel shrugged. “That’s fair. But Kaiser’s address is just a PO box. However, I found that there was a database on the casino’s server only Richard Fischer and Scott King had access to. It had columns for people and their stake.” He pulled out his cell phone and tapped some buttons. “Just texted you, Deacon, and Adam the photos I took of my screen. I didn’t download anything. I have screenshots on my laptop, so I can send you clearer copies later. You’ll see that on Friday, March first, John Brewer’s stake was his house. The following Friday, a few hours before Michael saw him murdered, his stake was ‘five-year-old boy.’”

Three phones dinged with the receipt of his text. Scarlett, Deacon, and Adam put their heads together, studying the contents. Marcus leaned in to Scarlett to see her screen. They looked at each other, then back at Diesel.

“Joshua,” Scarlett murmured, her jaw tight. “He put Joshua up as his stake.”

“Probably to get the house back,” Diesel said flatly. Even knowing that Brewer was dead, he still felt the slow burn of rage at what might have happened.

“Brewer drugged Joshua that night,” Dani said. “Michael saw him carrying Joshua from the house and he and Brewer fought. Michael hit him with the fireplace shovel, grabbed Joshua, and ran. He hid in some trees and that’s when he saw Cade Kaiser pull into the driveway. Kaiser got out, grabbed Brewer from his car. Brewer tried to pull a gun and Kaiser killed him. Kaiser drove away with Brewer in the back of his SUV, but came back later to check on Joshua.”

Grant held up his hands. “Wait. You’re saying that Cade Kaiser killed John Brewer to protect Joshua?”

“Best we can figure,” Diesel said.

Grant closed his eyes. “Did you find my brother’s body in the river?”

Diesel watched Deacon and Adam share a glance. “Did he have a tattoo or any markings?” Adam asked.

“A tattoo on his right shoulder.” Grant opened his eyes and pointed at the purple flowers that decorated the green leather book. “Like this—a Texas mountain laurel.” His shoulders sagged, defeated. “You found him?”

Adam nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry,” Deacon added.

Grant swallowed hard, then laughed almost hysterically. “It’s ironic. My brother wanted to expose a pedophile, so he posed as one. Cade Kaiser believed he was one so he killed him.”

It was damn ironic, Diesel thought sadly.

“Ironic,” Deacon agreed, “but also what happens when people take the law into their own hands.” He shot a sharp look of warning at Diesel before turning back to Grant. “If your brother had gone through channels, we would have protected him.”