Officer Liam Hill frowned. Uncle? Did he really look that old?

He turned to Milo Roland, his tone laced with exasperation. "Do I look that old to you?"

Milo froze, fingers twisting together unconsciously. "No."

Liam spun his pen between his fingers. "Just call me Officer Hill."

At twenty-five, being called "uncle" stung more than he cared to admit.

Jenna Roland pulled out a chair, her gaze sweeping over the sterile walls. "Officer Hill, are we being interrogated?"

The interrogation room's chill crept down her spine.

Milo's breathing grew noticeably uneven.

Liam closed the file folder, his voice softening. "Just routine questions. Relax."

The siblings exhaled in unison.

Jenna pressed her lips together. "What do you want to know?"

He flipped open his notepad. "Describe your relationship with them."

Her fingertips tapped the table. "Fiona Roland is my aunt. Victor Roland is my uncle. Jason Roland is my cousin. Heidi Roland is his wife."

Her voice dropped. "Our parents died young. No relatives would take us in—except my uncle's family."

"We lived there five years. Paid every cent owed, did all the housework, even managed our parents' orchard for them."

She lifted her chin, eyes blazing. "They call me ungrateful, but they're the real villains. Officer Hill, you must punish this extortion attempt."

After jotting key details, Liam asked, "Did you transfer money during the recorded incident?"

"No." Jenna shook her head. "I recognized it as blackmail."

His pen stilled. "Without an actual transaction, it's only attempted extortion. The penalty would be lighter."

Disappointment flickered across her face. "What would happen?"

"A fine or short detention." He met her gaze. "Are you willing to settle?"

"Absolutely not!" Jenna's voice cut like steel.

Liam turned to Milo. "And you?"

Milo shook his head. "No settlement."

Liam sighed. "They're still family. Burning bridges helps no one."

Jenna's laugh was ice. "We appreciate the concern, but we won't yield."

Her nails dug crescent moons into her palms.