“I know you’re all happy, but it’s not over yet.”Golden’s voice cuts through from the laptop speaker.
We’ve been in an online meeting with him since we got home.Jessy got bored and cracked open a bottle to break the tension.It loosens us up; it feels more like a mini-New Year’s party.
“No results from the phone data yet?”Laird asks, his voice shifting back to serious.
“Just finished,” Golden says.
“Then it’s done,” Matthew laughs.
“That’s not how it works.We still need to organize the evidence and submit it to the judge to issue a warrant,” Golden says, clearly put out by Matthew’s tone.
“Well, good luck with that.”Matthew closes the laptop without hesitation.We all stare at him.No one ever hangs up on a federal attorney like that.“What?I’m done listening to his crap,” Matthew says, blinking innocently.
“At least let us hear what he found,” Laird protests, but Matthew waves him off.
“Please.He’s not that smart.No way he can piece together charges in a day,” Matthew snorts and drinks again.
“How long do you think it’ll take?”I ask quietly.
“I’d guess it’ll take at least three days, maybe a week.”Matthew leans back, mimicking Laird’s lazy posture, while Jessy and I sit still.
We fall silent.The fire pops softly, the whiskey swirling in our hands.For a while, no one says anything.I stare into the flames, thinking about how close we are to the end of all this.
“I don’t know what I’ll do if Alan goes to jail and Gene collapses,” Jessy finally says, voice low.His shoulders sag.
“Well, sometimes you gotta lose a little to win big.No pain, no gain, remember?”Laird says gently.
“Yes, I know.And I know Alan’s money is dirty, but that salary kept me alive and paid for my mom’s treatments.”Jessy pouts.“Shit.I try to help punish criminals, and now I might lose my job for it.”
No one answers.The room falls quiet again, heavy but calm.This revenge mission is almost over.Amy and Alan will face what’s coming.They won’t touch my life again.Maybe we’ll lose everything at Gene, but it’s worth it.
Yeah.It’s all worth it.Amy deserves everything that’s coming for her, especially after never admitting what she did to me, after all the cruelty she heaped on me in high school and everything she’s done to poor Alan since.Still, there’s a sliver of me that wonders whether victory will feel as good as I imagine.
“Seriously, I don’t get you guys.Come on, I thought you were better than this,” Matthew groans, his face scrunched up.
“What else you wanna complain about?”Laird asks, sipping his whiskey again.
“You’re driving me insane!You could just look for another agency or start your own—better than Gene.I’m serious, guys.You’re talented as hell.Why keep slaving for big corporations?”
“Once again, Matthew, it’s not that simple.”Jessy exhales, leaning back on the sofa.One hand rubs his temple while the other still holds his glass.
“Alright then, tell me what makes it not that simple.”Matthew pats his thigh.
Jessy and I stay quiet.Matthew means well, but the way he simplifies things is reckless.We won’t make it as a small agency.That kind of dream only works in movies.
“Come on, tell me.”Matthew presses again.
“Well, the first thing is capital,” Jessy finally speaks.
“Duh.”I nod.
“I can help you,” Laird says.
“See that?One problem solved!”Matthew’s eyes go wide as he snaps his fingers.He points at Laird, then shoots Jessy a look that dares him to argue.
“Laird, you’re focused on building Rackers Bite.You can’t start another company now,” I say, squeezing his thigh.
“Wait a sec, we’ve had this talk before.Something about money that needs to be returned to Gene if you resign and break the contract.”Laird frowns.
