“Thank you, Chief. That means a lot.”
“Speaking of which, you got a call this morning from Detective Morrison with the state police. She wants to meet with you tomorrow morning.”
My stomach drops. I grip the edge of his desk. “About what?”
“She wouldn’t say over the phone, but she mentioned it was about new developments in your case.” Chief's expression shifts slightly—something that might be relief. “She said it's procedural, but she didn't sound hostile. Actually sounded almost... apologetic.”
Almost apologetic. That could mean the investigation is shifting away from me. Or it could be a trap. “What time tomorrow?”
“Nine in the morning sharp. Same conference room where you had your interview.”
I spend the drive home wondering what this could mean. Detective Morrison was convinced I was corrupt when she interviewed me.What changed? Did they find something? Did someone talk?
My phone rings as I’m pulling into my driveway. Chris.
“You hear about Sarah Martinez and Rebecca Foster?” he asks without preamble.
“No? What about them?”
“They came forward yesterday. Walked into the state police station with evidence against Lance. Said they heard about his arrest and couldn't stay silent anymore.”
Relief floods through me so suddenly I have to sit down.
“That's incredible.”
“Gets better. When I heard, I took all that evidence I compiled and drove it straight to Detective Morrison this morning. Didn't want to wait.”
“You gave it to the state police?”
“Figured it would help. And it did—Jennifer Walsh came forward this afternoon. Mayor's daughter. Brought three years' worth of evidence—phone recordings, text messages, financial records of the money Tracy offered her to stay quiet. Everything.”
“Jennifer Walsh came forward too?”
“Said she'd been keeping everything, hoping someone else would speak up first. When she heard about Sarah and Rebecca, she knew it was time. She didn't want to be the only one—didn't want to deal with her father's political fallout alone. But with three victims? Tracy can't intimidate all of them.”
“So the investigation…”
“Is shifting focus. They're not looking at you anymore, Sawyer. The state police are building a case against Tracy and the Carlston family for witness tampering, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.”
It’s really happening. They’re finally going down. “That’s why Morrison wants to see me tomorrow.”
“Probably to officially clear you and get your statement about Tracy.”
"Thanks, man. For everything."
"Of course. Let me know if you need anything else, old man."
After I hang up, I sit in my truck for a few minutes, processing everything. Sarah Martinez and Rebecca Foster found the courage to come forward first. Jennifer Walsh followed their lead. Chris already gave the state police everything they need. And tomorrow, I give my statement as a witness, not a suspect.
Alice is safe. Really safe. They can’t touch her anymore.
At six o’clock, I’m standing on Alice’s front porch with a bottle of wine and a cautious sense of optimism. She opens the door wearing jeans and a soft blue sweater that makes her golden-brown eyes look even warmer, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
My breath catches.God, she’s beautiful. How did I get this lucky?
“Hey,” she says, smiling. “How’s my future sergeant?”
“Ask me in three weeks and we’ll see if I even made sergeant.”
