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Whitaker looked up from where he was crouched over the body and gave him a smirk. “Not yet.”

The man had been sure Tanner was involved in a series of murders a few months ago. But Tanner couldn’t really blame him for that since someone had been going out of his way to frame Tanner.

Night was falling once again by the time both bodies were ready to be escorted back into town. Given the circumstances, and the number of witnesses involved, there wouldn’t be any charges filed against Bree or Noah.

And given that the second body was George Pearson, also someone tied to Jared Ellis, Sheriff Duggan had ordered around-the-clock protection for Marilyn. Although Tanner suspected Noah would be providing that also.

Ronnie already had a report for Tanner and Sheriff Duggan when they stepped into the office. Jared’s ankle monitor had not shown any unusual activity. Denver PD had already been to question Jared. Evidently he, Oscar Stobbart and Marius Nixon, the friend who had paid Jared’s bail, had all been together for the past forty-eight hours, working on a business plan.

Willing to vouch for one another’s whereabouts 100 percent.

The next day Tanner and Sheriff Duggan called in every favor they could and finally got a judge who was willing to have an emergency in-chambers session to hear the details that afternoon.

With one signature, Judge Osborne could require Jared to remain in jail until his trial, set for four months from now. Tanner was already sitting in the judge’s chamber when Jared and Oscar Stobbart arrived.

And really wasn’t surprised when he saw Oscar’s hands had all sorts of cuts and abrasions on them, just like Tanner’s.

Colorado wilderness can be a real bitch, can’t it?

The judge entered and asked for Tanner to provide a summary of what had happened and what he was requesting. Tanner had already provided this to the judge in written form but forced himself to stay calm and focused as he reiterated the events.

What had happened in the wilderness. The two dead bodies lying in the morgue.

When Tanner was done, Judge Osborne asked Oscar for Jared’s rebuttal.

Oscar’s voice was solemn. “We are terribly sorry to hear about these awful events, Your Honor. But, respectfully, what does this have to do with my client?”

Ellis shot Tanner a smirk while the judge wasn’t looking.

“Your Honor, both Paul Wyn and George Pearson are known associates—recent known associates—of Mr. Ellis’s. And, as I mentioned in my report, I overheard two men talking who mentioned Jared by name, and that he wanted possession of the children.”

Tanner wanted to mention the fact that one of the men talking had been Oscar but knew that that would derail the situation in a heartbeat, since Tanner hadn’t actually seen him and couldn’t prove it. He had to pick his battles.

“Again, respectfully, Your Honor,” Oscar said, “Captain Dempsey has been through quite an ordeal. Could it be possible that he misheard, or misunderstood the conversation? Nor, as I’m sure you realized, has Captain Dempsey identified the speakers. We’re not even sure that the two men he overheard mentioning the children were George Pearson and Paul Wyn, since Captain Dempsey never actually saw them. Beyond that, my client can speak only to his own whereabouts and intents.”

“The two dead men are not just passing acquaintances of Mr. Ellis.” Tanner took out a folder that contained pictures of Jared with the two men he had taken last week with Noah. “Here they were together just last week. They’ve known one another for years—they were some of Jared Ellis’s closest friends. These were the men hunting Marilyn Ellis and her children.”

Oscar let out a disappointed scoff. “Surveillance, Your Honor? It seems as if Officer Dempsey has a personal vendetta against my client. This is borderline harassment and it’s part of a pattern. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but last week Officer Dempsey also brought in a civilian to study Mr. Ellis’s ankle monitor.”

“A civilian, but a renowned computer expert who has been utilized by law enforcement in the past,” Tanner put in.

Oscar barely let him finish. “Officer Dempsey is determined to write Mr. Ellis’s narrative the way he deems fit, not necessarily as the truth.”

Tanner had been prepared for this.

“This is the only thing I’m interested in rewriting.” Tanner slid another picture across the desk. “This is what Mrs. Ellis looked like during her last trip to the hospital. Jared Ellis gets his day in court for what he’s been accused of. That’s fine. But there was more than enough evidence to get a restraining order against him. The most important thing is keeping Marilyn Ellis and her children safe. And keeping Jared Ellis from doing something like this again.”

“Allegedly, Judge.” Oscar’s voice was almost bored.

The judge turned to Tanner. “Did you see Jared in the woods? Do we have any reason to believe the ankle monitor is not working properly? You tell me that’s the case and I’ll sign the incarceration paperwork right now.”

“Your Honor—” Oscar started until the judge held up his hand.

Tanner wanted to lie. More than any other time in his life he wanted to tell the judge there was reason to suspect Ellis could get out of the monitor. But he couldn’t do it.

“Not specifically with Jared Ellis. But we can all admit that these monitors are not perfect.”

“Actually, Your Honor, there has never been a reported case of this particular monitor being hacked or removed without intention. One hundred percent of the people who have attempted to remove this type of monitor had law enforcement at their location within minutes and were immediately apprehended.”