Page 24 of Three Steps Behind

“We’ll get you out of here, and your record will be expunged, on the condition that you aid us in busting Dalton Shaw.”

“Dalton? As in my Dalton?” The sweet man waiting for her to get out so they could start their new life? What on earth could they want with Dalton?

“I’m afraid so.” He slid the full file across to her. “All I can say is you sure know how to pick them.”

Leery, she opened the folder. Dalton’s photo sat there, and she smiled. Then she turned the page and speed-read it, then the next page and then partway through the final page. She fixed her gaze on Aubry, trying to mask her shock at the accusations against Dalton—racketeering, fraud, laundering money, running drugs . . . “This can’t be true.”

“I assure you it is very true.”

“You have the wrong guy. Dalton’s sweet as can be and—”

“Wow. Must be different on the other side of the con for you.”

“He didn’t con me,” she bit out. “Your intel is wrong.” The papers rattled in her shaking hands. “There’s been a mistake.”

“Oh, and he’s suspected in at least two murders.”

She shoved the papers back inside the folder and slid it back to him. “You’ve got the wrong man. Dalton’s a good guy.” The first in her life. And now they were claiming all this about him? It was ludicrous. She knew a con when she saw one, and Dalton wasn’t conning her.

“Interesting,” Aubry said, tapping the folder.

She arched her brows. “Care to elaborate?”

“I’ll reiterate. You’re getting conned. The tables have turned, and you’re about to get very hurt.”

“I don’t get hurt. Not by other people.” She’d seen to that long ago.

“It’s your choice. You can stay here and serve out the remainder of your sentence, or you can agree to help us, and we’ll expunge your conviction.”

“You’re saying I’d walk free?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ma’am? It was a term of politeness, but at the age of thirty-three, ma’am was too much. “And what do I have to do?”

“Go back to your life with Dalton, and we’ll train you to look for what only you have access to. While we know what he’s doing, he’s like a ghost. In and out without a trace on whatever he touches. We don’t know how he’s covering his tracks so well. We need you to find out how.”

“You’re asking me to spy on my boyfriend. Seriously?”

He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Dead serious.”

“He’s a good man,” she insisted. “You’ve got him all wrong.” Aubry was being ridiculous. But she needed to bite her tongue. She’d already said too much. If she protested too hard, he would take that slip of paper releasing her from prison and toss it in the trash.

“Your choice. I’ve already spoken with the warden and presented the paperwork. You can get up and leave with me, or you can go back to your cell.”

“Now? I can walk now?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Again with the ma’am.

She bit her lip. Maybe she could play it both ways. Get out but then use her time with Dalton to prove his innocence. She could look for evidence, but she wouldn’t find any. Aubry had this one wrong, but she’d be holding up her end of the bargain by returning to her life and paying attention. The joy of being back with Dalton and breathing fresh air sealed the deal.

“Well?” Aubry glanced at his watch. “Time’s up.”

She turned to find Lulu entering the room for her.

If she prayed, this would be one of the times she’d do it. But there was no God, so why bother?