"Yeah.That one."
"Want to tell me how three Shadow Hawk enforcers ended up with their skulls cracked?"
"They made me watch while they hurt her.I stopped them.Used whatever was available."
Isaacs walks a slow circle around me, and I can see her processing.She's been investigating Calla and Marcus' murders for weeks, been following the money trail, the connections to Ethan Morrison.Now it's all coming together.
"Self-defense?"she asks, but there's less challenge in her voice than there might be.
"Is there another word for it when someone's torturing an innocent woman?"
"Depends on how much force you used to stop them."
"Enough.Not one bit more than necessary."
It's a lie, and we both know it.I used exactly as much force as my rage demanded, and I'd do it again without hesitation.
Isaacs pulls out her notebook and flips through pages."I've been building a case against Ethan Morrison for months.Money laundering, connections to organized crime, possibly even involvement in your sister's death."She looks up at me."Tonight's events...they complicate things."
"Or they simplify them.Morrison's connected to the Shadow Hawks.The Hawks took Evangeline to force my compliance.We defended ourselves."
"That's one version."She closes her notebook."Here's another.The man I've been investigating for murder just escalated to kidnapping and torture.Evidence suggests he's been working with the Shadow Hawks to eliminate threats and expand his criminal network.Three of his associates died tonight in a confrontation with their intended victims."
"That version work better for your case?"
"It works better for the truth."She slides the notebook back into her pocket."Security footage shows the abduction from the pharmacy.We have the van, we have witness statements.Evangeline's injuries are documented.This is a righteous case, Hades."
"So no charges?"
"Not against you.But I need your help building the case against Morrison.Everything you know, everything your PI found, all of it."
"Done.On one condition."
"What's that?"
"You find him before I do."
Isaacs' expression hardens."That's not a condition, that's a warning.And I'm telling you right now, vigilante justice will land you in prison."
"Then find him first."
She studies me for a long moment, weighing options, calculating odds.Finally, she nods."I'll do my best.But Hades?If you get to him first, make sure I can build a case that sticks.Make sure there's evidence, witnesses, something that holds up in court."
"Understood."
"I mean it.Your sister deserves justice, not revenge.There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"Yes.And if you can't see that, then you're no better than the men who killed her."
The words hit harder than I expect, probably because there's truth in them.Calla would want justice, would want the system to work.But the system failed her.Failed Marcus.Nearly failed Evangeline.
"I'll keep that in mind," I say, which isn't a promise but isn't a refusal either.
Isaacs seems to accept that.She heads for the door then pauses."How is she?Evangeline?"
"Banged up.But alive.Ruin says she'll heal."
