Chapter
Twenty-Three

Noah waited until Mia fell asleep, and then he went back to work. He was still in search of concrete evidence that Howard had hired Morrow, and he refused to stop until he found it. The news of Morrow’s capture gave him a little peace, but he’d feel better if this case was completely put to bed.

He logged on to the K&R system remotely to make sure he had all the necessary firewall protections. After three security validations, he was in.

He’d been working for over an hour when something came up. As part of the mandated internal investigation at LCI, he’d been monitoring the activities of all the executives and had set up a flagging system to alert him to certain actions. That included any web-based financial activity. Noah scoured the records and saw that Ed had been checking the hours of the bank by LCI’s office. After some additional digging that forced him to go back to his dark web sources, he found out that Ed had paid a visit to his safety deposit box downtown right before the bank had closed today and then purchased a ticket to Morocco within the past hour. That timing couldn’t be a coincidence.

Noah did some quick research to confirm that Morocco didn’t have an extradition treaty with the US. If it had only been the bank, then maybe he could’ve overlooked it. But plans to leave the country made Noah highly suspicious. What if they’d had the wrong man the entire time?

The next morning Noah called everyone in for a meeting. He sat in the K&R Security conference room surrounded by Mia, Owen, Landon, and Cooper. He hadn’t wanted to meet at LCI, so he’d insisted they all meet at K&R.

“All right, what do you have?” Cooper asked. “Sounded like it was important.”

Noah told the group about his findings from late last night. They’d also been told about Morrow’s capture.

Cooper cleared his throat. “I think I know where you’re going with this, Noah. You think Howard was always clean, and Ed set him up to take the fall?”

Mia’s eyes widened. “Does that mean Ed also killed Howard?”

The room was silent for a moment as everyone thought through this newest theory.

Noah finally spoke up. “Ed realizes that we’re hot on his trail. He sets up Howard to try to close the loop once and for all. But when the top-down internal investigation was ordered, he probably got spooked. Then he finds out Morrow is arrested and fears that Morrow will flip on him. He gets some cash and plans to flee. His flight leaves tonight.”

“Where is Ed now?” Mia asked.

Owen looked at his watch. “He should be in the office.”

“I think we tell the police everything, and they can take him in for questioning,” Landon said.

“What if they don’t believe us?” Mia asked.

Noah looked at her. “K&R has a good working relationship with APD, especially because Cooper used to be one of them. I think they’ll listen to us.”

“Maybe I should go back to the office and try to keep him there,” Owen said.

“That’s a good idea,” Noah responded. “If Ed flees the country to Morocco tonight, we might never be able to get to him. And we can’t let that happen.”

Owen’s nervousness grew as he entered the LCI building. He had to act as though this was business as usual but at the same time keep Ed occupied long enough for the guys at K&R to convince the police to take Ed into custody.

How did I get myself into this? I need hazard pay.

He was only half joking, because things had gotten out of control. If they were right, Ed was responsible for the deaths of two people! It was beyond his comprehension. This was a man he worked side by side with on a daily basis. And now he was seriously considering that Ed had killed two people in cold blood. Owen didn’t think he was naïve, but he also wasn’t prepared to face these facts. The problem was that he had no choice. It was all on him right now.

It was then that he realized he was actually afraid, but he owed it to Chase and Howard to buck up and get the job done.

As he exited the elevator on the executive floor, he almost ran straight into Lew.

“I thought you were working from home today,” Owen said.

Lew shook his head. “I needed to be here.”

“Have you seen Ed?”

“Yeah. He’s in his office on a conference call. Why?”

Owen didn’t want to tip Lew off. He wasn’t sure Lew was sturdy enough to handle this right now. “Oh, I just needed to ask him a question.”

Lew looked at him for a moment, then seemed to accept this answer. “I’m just running to get some coffee. Need some fresh air. Do you want anything?”

“No. I’m good.” The last thing Owen needed was caffeine, but he was glad Lew was leaving the office.

“See you in a few.” Lew pushed the elevator button.

Owen took a moment to gather his thoughts before walking down the hallway. He poked his head into Ed’s office. He was no longer on the phone.

“Hey,” Owen said.

“What’s up?” Ed asked.

“Can I have a seat?”

“Sure.” Ed smiled. “But you’ll need to make it quick. I’m about to run out.”

Was Owen looking into the eyes of a calculated killer? Or were they still off base? “I just needed a break.” That sounded weak, but it was the best he could come up with off the top of his head.

Ed shuffled some papers on his desk. “You look like you haven’t been sleeping.”

“Can you blame me?” Owen could answer that honestly.

Ed looked down. “I’m in the same boat. I know everyone says that Howard’s suicide wasn’t my fault, but I can’t help but feel responsible.”

Owen had to hand it to Ed. He was a good actor. But now that Owen knew the truth, he thought he could see something in Ed’s eyes that held the true story. A story of murder and deceit. It made Owen sick to think about it, but he had to push through.

He did his best to make small talk for the next few minutes and hoped the police would get there soon.

Ed leaned forward in his chair. “Owen, I really do need to go. I have a flight to catch to London. I’m doing some investor meetings that Howard was originally going to cover.”

Uh-oh. This wasn’t the plan. Owen knew good and well that Ed’s final destination was not London but Morocco. “I just got back to the office. I should probably get some work done anyway.” He looked away and felt sweat start to form on his brow. He was not cut out for this.

Ed stood up. “You look like you could use some fresh air. Why don’t you walk out with me?”

Owen panicked. He couldn’t let Ed leave the building, but if Owen went with him, he might be putting himself in danger. “No. I’ll just hang back here.” The words shook as they came out of his mouth.

“Owen, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you have something on your mind. Want to share?” Ed asked pointedly.

Owen wiped his brow, sensing that this entire plan was unraveling quickly. “It’s nothing.” He tried to straighten up in the chair and make eye contact. “Just under a bit of stress.”

Ed shook his head. “We’ve worked together very closely for quite a while, Owen. You have an awful poker face.”

Owen’s stomach dropped as Ed pulled a revolver out of his suit jacket.

“Now, how about that walk?” Ed pointed the gun at him. “No one else has to get hurt around here. Just do as I say.”

Owen had to stall. He sat there unmoving. “You had Chase killed, didn’t you?”

A scowl spread across Ed’s face. “Chase left me no other choice. He thought he could ruin my life, every single thing I had built for myself. He was going to blow the whistle—loudly.”

“You’re a monster,” Owen couldn’t help but say. “You also put the virus into the LCI system.” He had to keep Ed there for as long as he could.

Ed shrugged. “Yeah, and my first mistake was not taking out the entire system. I wasn’t aggressive enough. A couple of emails slipped through in the temporary files, and Chase found them. He confronted me with those emails. He believed he could prove that I sent them to Baxter Global, and he was right. If those had been wiped, then all of this could’ve been avoided.”

Owen couldn’t believe how cool and calculated Ed seemed about all of this. “Ed, you’re not well.”

Ed ignored his comment and kept talking. “I thought you might not buy my story about Howard, but you did. Everything would’ve been fine if Lew hadn’t been so insistent on continuing to search. I knew it was only a matter of time, with full access to our systems, before Noah figured out what I had done or that rat Morrow decided to turn on me.”

Owen was at a loss for words. He didn’t even know how to respond. Ed wasn’t the man Owen had thought he’d known and worked with each day.

“Stand up,” Ed barked.

Owen knew that if he left with Ed, that would be the end. But he also didn’t want to put anyone else in the office at risk. At the end of the day, he’d rather die than see his colleagues shot down. There had already been far too much bloodshed at this madman’s hands.

Owen did the only thing he could do. He slowly rose from his seat, ready to face whatever came and feeling certain that he was nearing the end of his life. He never would have thought he could go out like this.

Then a loud voice sounded behind him, forcing him out of his momentary pity party. He turned and saw a few police officers with guns drawn—all pointed in Ed’s direction.

“Put down the weapon,” the lead officer yelled.

Owen held his breath and stood as still as a statue. Fear overtook him and he barely heard the continued barks of the officers telling Ed to put down the gun.

It seemed like everything was moving in slow motion. When Ed turned the weapon on himself, placing the gun under his chin, Owen heard the officers shout out, trying to stop him, but it was too late. Ed’s bloody body hit the floor, the life no longer there. Most of the officers swarmed around Ed’s body, and Owen was grabbed by another.

“Let’s get you out of here,” the officer said.

Finally. Owen exhaled. This nightmare was over.

Mia looked at Noah. “Thanks for letting me come with you.”

“Of course.” He wanted to spend as much time with Mia as he could—especially on happier things.

The charges against David had been dropped, and Morrow had been charged with Chase’s murder. Noah was picking David up from the detention center, and Mia had asked to come along.

“I want to apologize to him in person for ever going after him as the guilty party,” Mia said.

“David’s a good guy. He’ll understand.”

“I would get it if he hated me, but I have to make an effort.”

Noah turned to her. “Wait here in the car for a minute, and we’ll be right out.”

After finishing up some paperwork, David McDonald walked out of the Fulton County jail as a free man.

Once they got out of the building, David gave Noah a huge hug. “Thank you, man. I know you’re a big part of why I’m out.”

“I also brought someone to meet you. She insisted.”

“She?” David raised an eyebrow.

“Chase Jackson’s friend. She initially believed you were guilty, but then she worked tirelessly on your behalf to get to the truth.”

A slow smile took over David’s face. “She’s a special one to you though, huh?”

“How did you know?” Noah asked.

“Because your eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.”

“Don’t get any ideas, buddy,” Noah joked. It was so great to have his friend standing there a free man, his name cleared, justice served.

When they got to the car, Mia jumped out. “David, I’m Mia Shaw.”

“Yeah, I’ve already heard about you.” David smiled. “And I recognize you from a picture that was in Chase’s apartment.” He paused and looked off into the distance for a moment. “Chase cared a great deal for you.”

“Thank you. I cared for him too,” she said quietly. “He was like family.”

David took a step toward Mia. “I hear that I owe you a thank-you.”

Mia shook her head. “Completely unnecessary. I should apologize to you for ever thinking you were responsible for Chase’s death.”

“You were doing what any good friend would do.”

Mia gave David a hug. “I’m sorry for what you had to go through.”

“It’s over now.” David took a deep breath. “I know it won’t do any good now, but I never should’ve treated Chase so badly. I let my issues get the best of me, and unfortunately he was an easy target. I can’t tell him that now, but at least I can tell you.”

“Chase would’ve forgiven you too, especially if he knew your story like I do.”

“You’re too kind,” David said.

“Well, I’m sure you want to get out of here,” Mia said.

“Most definitely,” David said. “I’d really love some lunch. Anything would beat what I’ve been eating.”

Mia smiled. “Noah, just drop me off at work, and you two guys can get lunch.”

“You sure you don’t want to come with us?” Noah asked.

“I’d love to, but I need to meet with Bonnie.”

“Call me when you’re done.” Noah knew this would be a tough meeting for Mia, but she had made it this far.

Mia looked at Bonnie from across the conference room table. She dreaded this conversation because it felt like defeat. But ultimately, it wasn’t her call. It was the client’s.

“LCI is in complete disarray,” Bonnie said. “Why should I negotiate with you now?”

“Because of what you just said. What if LCI goes under? Your client will get nothing. Zero. Zilch. And to be completely frank, there is a decent chance that could happen. Imagine how your client will react when they find out they could’ve taken the sure cash, but you advised them not to.”

Bonnie’s nose scrunched. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“And you shouldn’t. I’ve got settlement authority for ten million. It’s a great deal. I highly advise you act quickly and take it. Because it comes off the table in twenty-four hours.”

“You really do have a lot of guts to make these demands.”

“No. I have nothing to lose. You have everything. I can envision what your client will do if you don’t get them any money. You’ll be the one fired.” Mia was putting on the hard sell. This was LCI’s best and only option to get out of the lawsuit. The board was planning a dramatic reorganization, and that probably meant Lew would be taking an early retirement. It was all too much for any CEO to withstand. The headlines in the local paper had been brutal. Disgraced LCI Executive Guilty of Homicide Commits Suicide.

There was still the unfinished business of proving that Ed was also responsible for Howard’s murder. As far as APD was concerned, it was pretty open and shut. And since Ed was dead and Morrow was locked up, the threat had been neutralized. But Mia wanted to finish the job and make sure they fully understood what Ed had been doing and why. And that there were no more turncoats in the LCI ranks.

Bonnie jotted down some notes. “I’ll take this offer to my client. I obviously can’t make any guarantees.”

“And I wouldn’t expect you to.” Mia’s whole world was topsy-turvy. Nothing that Bonnie could say or do would faze her right now.

Bonnie leaned back in her chair. “I have to give it to you, Mia. Most lawyers would’ve lost it by now, but you’ve held it together. I didn’t give you enough credit. I was too hard on you earlier.”

Was Bonnie actually apologizing to her? Talk about things Mia had never expected. “Thank you. It’s been a difficult time and something that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Law school doesn’t prepare you for stuff like this, and neither did my eight years of practice.”

“Mia, nothing prepares you for stuff like this.”

For the very first time, Mia was seeing a softer side of Bonnie. She didn’t really know how to respond. “I guess you’re right,” she said softly.

“Are you happy here?”

“What do you mean?”

“Doing this type of work on the corporate defense side.”

“I enjoy my work well enough, but working in a big firm like this is out of necessity. I have major student loan debt. Emory Law will do that to you. I can’t afford any other options.”

Bonnie nodded. “We have a different compensation model at Warren McGee, but we still pay well, especially for top talent.”

Mia almost choked. Was Bonnie recruiting her? “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I’m saying that an opportunity exists for you at Warren McGee if you’d like to explore it once we tie up this litigation. I’d personally mentor you.”

Mia about fell out of her chair. She felt her mouth gape open.

Bonnie smirked. “I see I’ve surprised you. I realize you think I treated you awfully during this case, but really I was testing you. Seeing what you were made of.”

“And I passed the test?”

“With flying colors. Once we get this case wrapped up, we can talk details. How does that sound?”

Mia nodded before she could even process it.

Bonnie smiled and packed up her laptop. “I know my way out. I’ll let you know what the client says.”

Mia sat there in shock once Bonnie had gone. Everything about her life was changing rapidly. She had to fight to keep up.

She closed her eyes for a moment. She could fall asleep right there. Her exhaustion level was off the charts.

“Mia.”

She looked up and saw Nancy Wayne walking into the room. This wasn’t who she wanted to face right now.

“Can we talk?” Nancy asked.

“Yes.” Mia wanted to say no, but that wouldn’t be right.

Nancy took a seat and crossed her hands on the table in front of her. “I’ve wanted to talk to you for the past few days, but it’s taken me this long to get up the nerve to do it.”

Mia wasn’t sure what she was in for. “Go on.”

“I don’t even know how to say this, but I owe you a big apology.” Nancy paused. “I was awful to you, and you didn’t deserve it.”

“Why the change of heart?” Mia couldn’t help but ask.

“Knowing all you’ve gone through, I shouldn’t have acted that way. Chase and I never dated. I made it all up to get under your skin. I was jealous because I had a crush on him, and he never gave me a second look. Then you got to take over the case even though you’re not a partner, and I was being very petty. I’m sorry.” Nancy’s eyes filled with tears. “Before I knew it, things had gotten out of control, and I couldn’t back out of all the lies I was telling.”

Mia couldn’t believe this. She felt vindicated but then immediately felt sorry for Nancy. “I accept your apology. I’m glad you came to me.”

“You don’t have to accept it. I probably wouldn’t if I were in your shoes. I’m a complete mess. When I found out that your house burned down, I couldn’t believe I’d been so mean to you. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”

Mia shook her head. “No. Your apology is enough.”

“I’ve got a spare room in my apartment if you need a place to stay.”

“Thank you for the offer. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to do about that.”

“The offer stands if you need it.”

Mia couldn’t imagine taking Nancy up on it, but it was kind of her to offer. “I appreciate it.”

Just when she thought the day couldn’t get any stranger . . .

Ty sat across from David in his office. It was so good to see him out of prison. Ty couldn’t take much credit for David’s freedom, but David was thanking him profusely nonetheless.

“You really should be thanking Noah and Mia,” Ty said. “They’re the ones who cracked this thing wide open.”

“I have thanked them, but I also know that you worked so hard on my behalf. I actually got a phone call from the prosecutor last night.”

“Really?” Now, wasn’t that odd.

“She wanted to apologize and offered to help me in any way she could. She sounded sincere.”

“Nice. I’m glad we saw justice done here. I’m only sorry you had to spend the time you did wrongfully imprisoned.” Ty wished he could have done more. At least this time there was a happy ending for David. Ty often wasn’t that fortunate, not on his side of the fence with the cases he chose to take.

David looked at him, his expression turning serious. “I never should’ve fought with Chase. It just shows you how one fight can lead to all kinds of bad things happening. I wish I could go back and do it all over again.”

“You can’t, my friend. But you do get to decide how things go from here on out.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m trying to figure out, what’s next for me. I need a fresh start. I need to find something else to do with my life. Being in jail gave me a lot of time to think.”

“What do you want to do?”

David shrugged. “Something to help people. That’s the main reason I went to ATF in the first place, to make a difference. Going back into the government isn’t an option, given my history, but I think I’ll be able to find another way to use my skills.”

Ty felt a smile creep across his lips. “You haven’t even thought about the most obvious solution, have you?”

David cocked his head to the side. “What am I missing? You’re grinning like a Cheshire cat.”

Ty was amused that this idea hadn’t occurred to David. “You do realize that your friend runs a security company, right?”

Recognition shown on David’s face as he processed what Ty had said. “Man, I didn’t even think about that.”

“Seems like that could be the perfect fit. You already know that Noah thinks the world of you. He stuck his neck out for you. That tells you everything you need to know.”

David looked hesitant. “I just hate to ask him for anything else. He’s already done so much.”

“You’re more than qualified. You wouldn’t be asking for a handout.”

“Maybe you’re right. I’ll talk to him about it.” David paused. “There’s one other thing.”

“What is it?”

“Once I get a new job, I’d like to pay you for your legal services.”

Ty shook his head. “No way. I took your case pro bono. I don’t go back on that.”

“But I’d like to be able to pay you.”

There was no way Ty would accept David’s money. “You can pay me by going out there, getting a new job, and making a difference. Just like you say you want to.”

David smiled. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for taking my case and believing in me.”

Hearing those words was more than enough payment for Ty. “That’s what I do. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”