Sam and Nate flanked them, Nate sliding Marisa's hand into his. They must look ridiculous, four people and a baby lined up as if they were facing a firing squad.

Nate had left the door slightly ajar. Still, Kopp knocked.

"Come in," Marisa said.

He stepped inside. Kopp had aged in the eight years since she'd seen him last, but he still looked good. Tall, strong jaw, blue eyes, and light brown hair. The guy was still handsome.

He closed the door behind him, turned, and smiled. "Marisa, are you okay?"

She nodded. Her voice wouldn't work.

"Nate, step away, please."

Nate squeezed her hand, and she remembered what Sam had messaged to her earlier, that Kopp was suspicious of Nate.

"Nate's helping me."

"Humor me," he said. "Let's step outside and talk. Just you and me."

"If you're going to arrest me, just do it."

Kopp blew out a breath. "Fine. Everybody else step outside, and Marisa and I will stay in here. I want to talk to her privately."

Nate shifted forward, and the group formed a circle. "We've come this far," Nate said. "I think we have to trust him." He looked at Marisa. "What do you think?"

She swallowed and walked past Nate to join Kopp.

"Outside?" he clarified.

She nodded and led the way.

The screen door slammed behind them. She stopped by the blue truck. "Okay," she said. "Now what?"

"Tell me what happened in Mexico."

Her voice shook as she told him the story, beginning when she first got the email from Nate and ending at that moment.

When she was finished, Kopp nodded and stared into space. "Don't you think it's suspicious that Leslie and Nate showed up, and right after that, Ana and Leslie were kidnapped?"

"Nate doesn't believe I have the money."

"He says he believes you, but—"

"Not once has he suggested I confess and turn the money over. Not once."

"Okay." He processed. "Have you considered going to the FBI? They're very good at this kind of thing."

She shook her head, terror filling her. "He said not to. He said he'd kill them. I can't take that chance."

"You're not keeping quiet so you don't get arrested, right? Because I can help with that. I can't guarantee anything, but—"

"I don't care what happens to me." Her voice rose, and she could feel the panic rising like a flood. "I just want them back. Don't you get that?"

"I do," he said. "It's okay. I'm not going to do anything without your permission."

She swallowed and wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to hold herself together.