Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“Some of it was destroyed, but I kept some of it… I hid it.” He looked around his office, then at the front door as if paranoid. His voice lowered to almost a whisper when he said, “I could lose my job for this… but I can get it for you.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “He had me between a rock and a hard place, Porsche. My job was threatened if I didn’t follow orders.”
Though he’d misled her in the past, at that moment she believed him. She leaned back in her seat and gestured for him to continue.
“That’s why I told the Medical Examiner to give you whatever you wanted. Chief Lewis didn’t even know I went over his head and did that, too. I had to do something… In his mind, it was about keeping things under control—but things are so out of control that, uh, it’s pointless now.” His shoulders drooped.
“When did he get rid of the records?”
“It happened a long time ago, before you even offered to assist on Clark’s case. The first, second, and third files have been thinned out once he realized it was more than likely a serial killer. Didn’t want them all linked together, at least not for a while. We just don’t have things like this happen here, Porsche. He got… concerned. The goal was to spare everyone, to stop the chance of pandemonium, but—”
“It was to save his own ass, and he threw you under the bus.” Captain White exhaled loudly, and nodded begrudgingly in agreement. “And now he got to stand in front of cameras this morning, with a big smile no doubt, and act like he single-handedly put a stop to all of this. What is he going to do when the next murder happens, huh? How’s he going to explain that?”
“Because of the lack of recent murders, he thinks the killer, if not Ethan, has gone on to greener pastures.”
“Yeah? And what if he hasn’t? Chief Lewis was able to rely on you to keep these dirty little secrets.” She shot up from her seat and placed her purse over her shoulder. “I know you’ll have to be discreet about how you get the information to me… but just make sure you get it.” Her gaze landed on two somber eyes. “If Ethan isn’t your guy, your whole department is screwed. His case will be so sensationalized. This is completely messed up now. All because of pride, and wanting a pat on the head!”
“I know… I also know that you don’t believe me, but I tried to talk him out of this—so much so, I was told to shut up and do as ordered, or live to regret it… but this… this isn’t right.” His voice quaked. “I’ve been doing this work a long time, Porsche. Those officers out there are like my sons and daughters.” He pointed to the closed door. “This is a family, and when the Chief tells you something—”
“—You listen.”
“Yes. At first, I believed him. That it was for the best… that it would give us more time to find out who was responsible. I wanted to convince myself it was the best option, even though deep down I knew better.” He grabbed a bottle of pills from his desk drawer and popped them in his mouth, then chased them with a swig of water from a bottle. “If Ethan isn’t our guy, then I’m afraid they’ll try to railroad him to ensure that he looks like he is, regardless.” He ran his hand down his face. “What do you think?”
“The only way to fix this disaster now is to quickly prove him innocent or guilty with a sudden onslaught of evidence to take to trial, or find the real killer before the city catches on that Ethan is just a distraction. Either way, he doesn’t have enough money for a decent lawyer. He works paycheck to paycheck, and it’ll be an uphill battle for him from this point forward.”
“Okay, so, here’s what I think has to happen. We must—”
“Captain White, with all due respect, I think you need to give up the ghost. Though it wasn’t your idea, you helped derail the investigation. You were a key component in Chief Lewis’ deceptive plan. Whether his heart was in the right place or not remains to be seen, yet the results are what they are. I’ve been your backup this entire time, and I’m done standing in the background.” Captain White’s eyes darkened, but she went on, “No more background vocals from Porsche Lee. I’m done making y’all look good.
“No, this time, I’m standing front and center. The Beyoncé of Destiny’s Child, if you will. You’re my backup singers now. It’s either me or the FBI snatchin’ this case from y’all, and I highly doubt you want that. Take your pick.” She pointed an accusatory finger at him.