Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“Innocent?” He barked another laugh. “Not according to the evidence. Did you know she’s been moving product for you for months? That she’s been laundering money through that cute little delivery service? The photos don’t lie, Wheeler. Neither do the financial records.” He pulled out his phone, swiping through images I knew were fabricated. “By this time tomorrow, she’ll be in booking. Day after that, arraignment. By the end of the week? Just another inmate number.”
My fists clenched at my sides, rage building despite my efforts to contain it. “Those are fake. You manufactured all of it.”
“Prove it.” He shrugged, pocketing his phone. “That’s the beauty of digital evidence these days. Once it’s in the system, it might as well be gospel. And I’ve spent months building this case, making sure every pixel is perfect, every document properly filed.” His voice grew louder, more animated as his excitement built. “You think anyone will care when she cries frame-up? They never do. System’s designed to crush people like her.”
“Why?” I asked, needing to get him to specifically admit to the fabrication. “Why target her?”
His eyes narrowed, something feral flashing across his features. “Because you took something from me. My son. My only son.” Spittle flew from his mouth as his control slipped. “Six years wasn’t justice. It was a fucking vacation. Now you get to watch while I take apart your life piece by piece, starting with that bitch who thinks she’s in love with you.”
There it was. Now all he needed was a little nudge. “So you’re falsifying evidence to frame an innocent woman.” I kept my voice level, despite wanting to rip his throat out. “Planting bugs. Threatening civilians. That’s not police work, Reeves. That’s a vendetta.”
“Call it what you want,” he snarled, stepping closer. “I call it justice. I’ve spent years watching you, waiting for the perfect moment. I tried putting a target on you in Terre Haute, but someone on the inside managed to shut down the contract. But when she showed up at your compound, all wide-eyed and trusting when you came around, I knew I had you. She was exactly your type, and she made it easy by thinking she could fix you or some shit. She took you on and I had you both right where I wanted you.” His voice dropped to a vicious whisper. “You can’t protect her, Wheeler. I own her now, just like I’ll own you rotting in a cell, knowing you couldn’t save another woman you loved.”
“How were you planning on getting evidence to back your doctored photos?”
“I’ve got a warrant application in the works. We’ll raid that little clubhouse of yours and get the evidence I need to put both you and your little whore away for a long fucking time.”
“No, you won’t. Because we don’t have anything in there to find. We’re all ex-cons who have no interest in going back to prison.”
Reeves shrugged. “Oh, once I get inside, I guarantee you there will be enough evidence to put everyone in the whole Goddamned place in prison.”
I snorted. “You’re not seriously considering planting evidence. No way you’re good enough to make a whole SWAT team look the other way while you carry out your vendetta.”
“SWAT will do exactly what I tell them to. Which you might want to keep in mind since they all have big guns and are itching to use them. I doubt any of them would think twice about accidentally shooting a bunch of murderers.”
I tilted my head inquisitively, hardening my expression to one I knew Reeves would recognize as me meaning business. “Let me get this straight. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”
“I’m all ears, Wheeler. Ask me any fucking question you want.” The smirk on his face said he knew he’d won. He was practically celebrating. Arrogant prick deserved every fucking thing he had coming.
“You’re saying your SWAT team would have no problem shooting first and asking questions later if you told them to?”
Oh, yeah. Reeves thought he had me. The threat was clear. “That’s exactly what I’m saying, you stupid fucking cunt.” He bit out the words between clenched teeth, getting as in my face as he could, given he was a good head shorter than me. If I’d wanted to kill the son of a bitch, I could have easily done it. But I’d promised Cora I wouldn’t. At least, not yet.
Knight’s voice whispered in my earpiece: “We have it all. Get out.”
I gave Reeves a cold smile, one that made even the hardest cons step back. “Thanks for the information,” I said, turning to leave.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Reeves demanded, confusion replacing his triumph.
“He’s going home, Detective Reeves. You, however, are coming with me.” The new voice cut through the cavernous space like a blade. Detective Mercer stepped from a side alley, flanked by two uniformed officers who remained a respectful distance behind her. Her expression was professionally blank, but I caught the satisfaction in her eyes.