Ellie helped Jillian spread the cream-colored folders out on one half of the table as she related what happened in Chief Johnson’s office, and the deal with Powell and Valerie’s safe house. On the front of each folder, Jillian had written the date, official cause of death, and a couple sentences summarizing each case. There were more than two dozen in total. Inside the folders, each case was neatly organized. Some were stuffed to bursting while others had little more than a few sheets of paper.
When they were finished laying them out, Ellie planted her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “It’s like he victimized them twice.”
“I was thinking about that, and how their families are going to take the news. What happens when we prove that Jones was dirty and received bribes for years?”
“According to Chief Johnson, they’ll have to assign a task force to go through and investigate every single case Jones touched.” She gestured at the stacks on the table. “Not just these cases, but every arrest and court case for his entire career.”
“What a mess.”
“It is, but it won’t be my mess.”
Jillian knew her outrage was shining in her eyes and couldn’t hold it back. “Why not?”
“The officer who blows the whistle can’t rework the cases, for ethical reasons.”
“Will you still be in Cold Cases when this is all over?”
Ellie shrugged. “Probably. Jones wasn’t the only detective in the Violent Crimes Unit, and there are plenty of victims waiting for justice. It will complicate things, but corruption tends to do that anyway.”
Jillian thought that through before saying quietly, “Some won’t be able to accept what Jones did.”
“I’ve thought about that. I’ll get blamed for things getting shaken up in Homicide, and some people will be sure that I fabricated the evidence.”
“There’s nothing you can do about that. It’s on them if they can’t see the truth when it’s staring back at them.”
Ellie let out a long sigh. “I know that, but that fact doesn’t make this any easier.” She smiled at Jillian. “I’m glad you’re on my side. This is a huge risk to both our careers, and I appreciate you.”
“I’m not going to stand by and let the integrity of Charleston PD be influenced by corrupt cops. The people of Charleston deserve better, and so do the honest officers who put their lives on the line every day. Having crooked cops in our midst puts us all in danger.”
“You’re right, but if you decide at any time that the risk to your personal safety and your career is too much, I won’t hold it against you.”
Jillian, half insulted at the suggestion that she might desert Ellie, glared at her and shook her head with a wry grin. “You don’t think I’m going to let you have all the excitement, do you?” She motioned to Sam, who was sprawled in the archway between the living room and the dining room, just shy of the imaginary line of the kitchen, which was off limits for her. “I have Sam here to keep me safe.”
Sam snorted in her sleep, paws twitching as she chased a rabbit in her dreams.
Ellie smiled fondly at the animal. “I’d rather have you working with me, but don’t hesitate to let me know if you change your mind.”
“I won’t. No one else is going to expose the people involved in this conspiracy, and they have no place on the force. Even if we’re the only ones left standing when the dust settles, I’m all in.”
Ellie pressed her fingertips to her temple. “It’s very possible that we won’t even be standing when it’s all over.”
7
“I’m a man of action.”
I smiled at Joshua Gibson, even though the twenty-two-year-old man in front of me was disgusting in every possible way. The world would be a better place without him.
“Yes, you are, Joshua,” I said in the calm, measured tones that lulled him deep into my powers. “You will show them all that young, successful men must be respected.”
“Respected.”
“And admired.”
Joshua smiled before repeating, “Admired.”
“And most importantly, you are a man of action. You will surprise them all by showing them how high you can climb their corporate ladder. You will shock them all by leaping into the unknown, being fearless as you reach your goal…infamy.”
“Famous.”
The idiot. I’d be glad when he was dead.
“Are you prepared to leap into your destiny, Joshua?”
There was no hesitation. “Yes.”
Satisfied, I implanted my suggestions a few more times before bringing him back to reality with a snap of my fingers.
He blinked and sat straighter, his eyes focusing on me. “I feel…different.”
I grinned. “That’s how fame feels, Joshua.”
He grinned back. “I like it.”
“And you will seek it?”
“Yes, because I’m a man of action.”
He bounded to his feet with all the energy of someone so young. Practically sprinting toward the door, he turned the knob before glancing back at me. “Thank you, Doctor. I’m ready.” But he didn’t leave. Instead, he hesitated.
“Yes, Joshua?”
“Can I have another of those cucumber waters?”
I considered the request. I’d yet to increase the dosage to such a degree.
Shrugging, I opened my fridge and took out another glass container. I’d learned over the years that glass was much better for the mixture. Plus…plastic. Ugh. One must take care of the planet, after all.
“Please drink it here so I may reuse the bottle.” And there wasn’t any pesky evidence laying about.
I watched as he drank the mixture down thirstily, not stopping until almost every drop was gone.
“Thanks, Doc.”
I kept my smile frozen in place as I took the bottle from his hand, watching him carefully.
“Man of action,” I suggested.
He shuddered, his eyes crossing for a moment. “Yes. They’ll be so surprised.”
Then he was off again, sprinting down the hall and past a startled Gabe.
Gabe looked at me, his brown eyes wide, lips parted slightly. He’d ditched the green contacts, embracing his natural beauty after I’d commented on the absurdity of covering up such a rich,
