“So you killed him,” Sin screamed.
Ashley opened her mouth to answer, but quickly closed it. “I want to speak to my attorney.”
Sin yanked Ashley by the arms and un-cuffed her. “You can talk to anyone you want, you’re a free woman. When we first met, you told me that karma was a wonderful thing.” Sin smiled and walked confidently toward the door. “I would have to agree. Have a nice life, Ashley.”
Outside, she saw Garcia walking toward her from across the street and Fletcher’s jeep parked a half a block up the road.
“Nice work, Boss Lady,” Garcia said, as Sin reached the vehicle.
“Same to you both,” Sin said. “I couldn’t have solved this case without you.”
74
Later that night, Sin was in the Miami Beach office finalizing her reports when Evelyn walked in.
“Can I get you some coffee?”
Sin looked up from her laptop, rubbing her tired eyes. “I’d love some. But, why are you here so late?”
“Late? It’s six in the morning.”
Sin leaned back and stretched. “Damn, how long have I been writing this stupid report? This is what I hate about being back with the FBI.”
Evelyn laughed, leaving to make coffee.
“Hey, what day is it?” Sin asked.
“Sunday, why?”
Sin grabbed her backpack, sunglasses, and keys, “I’m going to pass on the coffee, but can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, anything.”
“My report is on the computer. Will you please email it to Frank?”
“It will be my pleasure,” Evelyn said. “And what should I do if he calls looking for you?”
“Tell him I went for a long bike ride with a friend.” Sin smiled and hugged Evelyn. “I’d say goodbye, but I know I will be seeing you soon.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t play coy, I know Charlie called and invited you to the Keys. I’ll see you down there.”
Evelyn hugged her back. “See you soon.”
Sin sat on her bike, sipping a cup of coffee from a donut shop, and gazed out at the Atlantic Ocean as the sun started to rise. For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace.
“I was wondering if I would ever find you here again.”
Turning, she saw a comforting smile. “Officer Keith Jones of the Miami Beach Bike Patrol, I almost didn’t recognize you without your bicycle.”
“If that’s your try at humor, it needs work,” he said, stepping off his motorcycle.
“I’m afraid that’s as good as it gets.”
“Then, I guess I will just have to get used to it.” Sin watched as his eyes moved from her to her Styrofoam cup. “I know of a place not far from here where we can exchange that nasty stuff for a freshly brewed cup of espresso.”
Sin dumped the remnants of her coffee in the sand and tossed the cup in the trash. “That should have been your opening line,” she said.
“Where is this café?”
“Lincoln and Collins. Just follow me.”
Smiling, Sin jumped on the starter arm, and dropped her bike into first gear. “I don’t follow anybody,” she winked, as he got back on his own ride.
And with a twist of her right wrist, she tore out of the beach parking lot, with Keith in tow.
75
Three weeks later, Sin met Frank at the Capitol Grill in D.C. Eyes turned and watched as she walked in. The clicking of the three-inch-heeled boots announced her presence. Her skin-tight jeans, hourglass figure, and mesmerizing green eyes secured her welcome.
“You do know how to make an entrance,” Frank said as Sin took a seat across from him. “I hope you don’t mind, but since you were late I ordered for you.”
Sin looked down and smiled. “T-bone steak, rare; a baked potato, loaded; and,” she lifted her mug and drank greedily, “an ice-cold Budweiser in a chilled glass. No wonder you’re the Director of the FBI.”
Frank sat back and crossed his arms. “Any idea why I asked you here?”
“I assumed dinner, drinks, and the hopes of getting into my pants.”
Frank laughed. “You are one spunky bitch.” He leaned in and sipped his scotch. “I called you here for two reasons. I wanted to give you a personal report on the case—”
“Which is?”
“Joel agreed to your request. He will continue to paint while incarcerated with all proceeds going to abused children.” Sin’s face lit up in a stunning smile. “As of four days ago, all of Ashley’s possessions have been confiscated by the government. They will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the new orphanage in the Florida Keys.”
Sin’s jade-green eyes began to well up with gratitude. “That’s a nice gesture, Frank, but I just wanted justice.”
“The donation was my idea,” Frank smiled. “The court agreed. And, in a way, after what Miranda did to those kids, it is justice for the money to go to children who really need a loving home…and a chance.”
Clearing his throat, he continued, “Charlie was able to empty all of Ashley’s offshore accounts. The money is now in another account for disbursement at a later date.”
“And Ashley? How is she handling all of this?”
“Not well. Most of her friends have deserted her. She has no job, no home, and no money. It’s only a matter of time before she does something rash.”
Sin raised her glass. “Here’s to justice.”
Frank clinked his glass with hers and drank.
“You said there were two reasons you had me come to D.C.,” Sin said between bites of her steak. “What’s the other?”
Frank sat back, folding his arms across his chest. “I’ve been reviewing the reports on this case,” he said. “You didn’t exactly followed protocol at all times.”
“I solved the case.”
“You bypassed the chain of command in Iowa. You manipulated some the players involved.”
Sin mimicked Frank’s posture. “Get to the point, Frank.”
“I need you to turn over your creds.”
“Seriously?” Sin reached into her back pocket, tossed her credentials on the table, and leaned forward, elbows on the table. “You’re firing me . . . again?”
“Officially.”
Frank leaned in, reached in to the inside pocket
