You won't like my post, and it's not my opinion exactly but a stray thought I have entertained for a long time since I first vaguely heard of another scorned woman/love triangle... it could be that PF is the one in protective custody.
There is something about the whole plot that, for me, reeks of female scheming. And KK has an identifiable motive where PF's is unknown and only guessed about.
It makes no sense to me that KK was in a relationship with PF 15 years ago, has always carried a torch for him, hooked up with him again in 2016, the love of her life - then in 2018 he is now suddenly evil incarnate, may have killed before, is soliciting KK to commit murder for months, threatening her, threatening her children, and KK is blabbing all this to her BFF to spread the word that PF is going to murder KB - then KK goes to CO to help dispose of evidence.
It looks like KK was setting up PF for months.
I don't believe PF is in protective custody but I totally agree that the plot reeks of female scheming. That's why I fear KK's plea deal could hurt the DA's case rather than help it.
You raise an issue that has concerned me and that is the fact that KK and PF have had a long term relationship and apparently were some kind of business partners. That opens up the possibility PF has had no romantic interest in KK whatsoever and phone calls between the two may be because of business and not because he was soliciting murder.
I don't believe PF threatened KK's children or that KK thinks he is evil. If KK's friends think spouting all their spin in the media helps KK, they are badly mistaken. All that has accomplished is raise more suspicions about KK's involvement. I wonder now if the recent cows that were sold belonged to PF and KK and that is the money she is using for her attorney.
JMO